Nenagh's character to the fore in league success
Nenagh Eire Og 0-25
Borris-Ileigh 1-18 (AET)
The theme of extra time continued last Tuesday week as Nenagh Eire Og claimed the County Hurling League Division 1 title.
Just five days after playing extra time in the North semi-final against Kiladangan, Nenagh were forced to go again and while they weren't keen on playing the additional twenty minutes, they will be delighted, not only with their fitness levels but also by the character shown to fightback after Borris-Ileigh goaled early in extra time to take the initiative but Nenagh would outscore them 0-7 to 0-2 thereafter to claim the Sweeper Ryan Cup.
While the leagues are unfortunately much maligned competitions for many clubs in the county, it does provide a outlet for players on the fringes of a clubs championship fifteen to play in competitive games at a level above their junior teams to develop and in terms of that, both sides will be happy at what they got from the campaign, and indeed the final.
For Nenagh, Adam Healy's performance in the full forward line was noteworthy with three points from play, while in defence Adam Carey grew as the game went on. Of their more experienced players, Barry Heffernan was commanding at centre back while in attack Paddy Murphy stepped up in the second half and in extra time, as did James Mackey.
Borris-Ileigh had a more recognisable team out, despite missing Brendan Maher and Dan McCormack, but their hard to beat characteristic remained as their experienced heads led the way with Ciaran Cowan and Paddy Stapleton excellent in the full back line; Jerry Kelly worked hard all through in the middle of the field while in attack, Conor Kenny fielded some great high ball as usual, top-scoring with eleven points, nine from frees, but missed some decent chances which might have see the maroons retain the league title for the second year in a row.
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MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Paddy Murphy (Nenagh Eire Og).
SCORERS – Nenagh: Michael Heffernan 0-7 (6 frees); Paddy Murphy 0-5; James Mackey 0-4 (2 frees); Adam Healy, Barry Heffernan (2 frees, 1 65) 0-3 each); Philip Hickey, Conor Ryan, Andrew Coffey 0-1 each.
Borris-Ileigh: Conor Kenny 0-11 (9 frees); Shane Kenny 1-1; Matthew Stapleton 0-3; David O'Connor 0-2; Jerry Kelly 0-1.
TEAMS – Nenagh Eire Og: Shane Hennessy (7); Mark Flannery (6), Adam Gratton (6), Adam Carey (6); Conor Ryan (7), Barry Heffernan (9), Conor McCarthy (6); Philip Hickey (7), Killian Gleeson (7); Andrew Coffey (6), Michael Heffernan (7), James Mackey (7); Adam Healy (8), Paddy Murphy (9), Craig Hilmi (6).
Subs: Mark O'Farrell (6) for Hilmi (25); Noel Maloney (6) for M Heffernan (35); Craig Hilmi for O'Farrell (54); Brian Tuite (NR) for Flannery (17 ET).
Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack (6); Thomas Fahy (6), Ciaran Cowan (8), Paddy Stapleton (9); Liam Ryan (6), Seamus Burke (7), Jody Harkin (6); Sean McCormack (7), Jerry Kelly (8); Jack Hogan (6), Shane Kenny (7), Conor Kenny (8); Matthew Stapleton (8), David O'Connor (7), Keith Ryan (6).
Ref: Maurice Ryan (6) for L Ryan (25 inj); Michael Ryan (6) for O'Connor (HT ET); Micheal Carey (NR) for K Ryan (18 ET).
Referee: Garrett Howard (Burgess)