Clonmel Commercials produced a powerful second half performance to record an impressive 13 point victory over Ardfinnan in their opening championship game in Monroe last Sunday.

The final scoreline did not fully reflect a competitive opening half, during which Ardfinnan made the brighter start, striking a two pointer inside the opening minute and quickly added another score to establish an early three point advantage.

Commercials opened their account through Kevin Fahey in the ninth minute, but Ardfinnan responded with another two pointer to move 0-5 to 0-1 ahead. Joe Higgins then got on the scoresheet as Commercials gradually began to settle into the contest.

Seanie O’Connor was central to the home side’s recovery. He registered two points before landing a two pointer in the 18th minute to bring Commercials level at 6 points apiece.

Ardfinnan replied with three unanswered points, including another two pointer, but scores from Seanie O’Connor and Cian Smith kept Commercials in touch. Seanie O’Connor then levelled the game before Killian Smith edged Commercials ahead for the first time in the 25th minute.

A further point and a two pointer from Seanie O’Connor sent Commercials into the interval leading by 0-13 to 0-10, completing an excellent turnaround after Ardfinnan’s promising opening.

Ardfinnan reduced the deficit immediately after the restart, but Commercials soon took control. Peter McGarry converted a two pointer in the 33rd minute before Cian Smith struck the game’s first goal four minutes later, opening a six point advantage.

Ardfinnan remained competitive and added points either side of Smith’s goal, but the Commercials defence, led by the experienced Séamus Kennedy, increasingly restricted their scoring opportunities. Points from Seanie O’Connor and Cathal Deely pushed the lead out to seven before Deely added another in the 49th minute.

Ardfinnan briefly revived their challenge when they found the net in the 51st minute, reducing the deficit to five points. Commercials, however, responded emphatically.

Peter McGarry kicked a point before Cian Smith followed with another score. The decisive moment arrived in the 57th minute when McGarry finished to the net, restoring a commanding ten point advantage.

Seanie O’Connor then completed an outstanding individual display by scoring Commercials’ third goal in the 60th minute, bringing his personal contribution to 1-10. McGarry finished with 1-3, while Smith contributed 1-2. 

Commercials finished with 3-12 from play and recorded 20 scores from 32 attempts, an accuracy rate of 63 per cent. Their pressure on the Ardfinnan restart was particularly effective, with Commercials winning 17 of their opponents’ 25 kick-outs.

The victory was built on patience during a difficult opening period, a composed recovery before half time and a strong finish in which Commercials secured a 3-20 to 1-13 success.

Clonmel Commercials scorers: Seanie O’Connor 1-10; Peter McGarry 1-3; Cian Smith 1-2; Cathal Deely 0-2; Kevin Fahey, Joe Higgins and Killian Smith 0-1 each.

Clonmel Commercials team: Aldo Matassa; Tadhg Condon, Mark Corcoran, Ross Slattery; Kevin Fahey, Séamus Kennedy, James Morris; Darragh O’Connor, Joe Higgins; Cathal Deely, Peter McGarry, Ross Peters; Cian Smith, Seanie O’Connor, Killian Smith.

Substitutes used: Tadhg Sheehan for Mark Corcoran (5th min); Thomas Charles for Cathal Deely (54th min).