Grogan sends Aherlow into Munster final
2015 Picture Barry Moran For Tipperary In Playing Grogan Sportsfile / Brendan Credit: Aherlow's
Barry Grogan hit a 63rd minute winning point from a free for Aherlow in their Munster intermediate football semi-final against Wolfe Tones. It was a game dominated by the windy conditions at Lattin but Grogan, scoring his fifth point of the game, brilliantly curled the dead ball over the bar from wide on the left.
The sides were level at two points each in the 30th minute when Ben Carey got a crucial goal for Aherlow. A Wolfe Tones kickout, held up in the wind, was won by Aherlow who worked the forward to Carey. The centre-forward's scuffed shot had enough on it to beat onrushing goalkeeper Shane Russell. Aherlow led 1-3 to 0-2 at the break.
Playing with the wind in the second half, Wolfe Tones hit four points without reply to draw level at 0-6 to 1-3. A Cathal Dillon point had Aherlow back in front moments after Wolfe Tones equalised. From a free, Grogan doubled their lead.
Colin Riordan reduced the gap to a point in the 55th minute but two minutes later, Wolfe Tones' chances took a serious blow when centre-back Jayme O'Sullivan was sent off for picking up a second yellow card.
However, a sensational outside of the boot long-range score from Craig Riordan drew the Clare side level at 0-8 to 1-5 as injury time approached. There were still two minutes of injury time left to play when Grogan - who was later sent off - put Aherlow ahead but Wolfe Tones were unable to create a scoring chance. Aherlow will face Austin Stacks in the final on December 7.