Lorrha’s goal touch sees them to U16 ‘B’ title
Lorrha 4-16
Moneygall/Clonakenny 2-17
Moneygall/Clonakenny 2-17
Report: Shane Brophy in Borrisokane
Lorrha won the North Tipperary Under 16 ‘B’ Hurling title for the first time since 2009 after they held off Moneygall/Clonakenny in an absorbing final on Monday evening.
Lorrha’s goal touch proved to be the difference after they withstood a strong start to both halved by their opponents who had their opportunities and in Vanston Worrell and James Carroll, had two of the game’s leading performers.
Lorrha had likewise in centre back Darragh Guinan and Rory Duffy who restricted Worrell who was a threat early on, while up front Martin Gorman was the star man with 2-2, while only the post denied him a hat-trick but it worked out well as Michael Houlihan sent the rebound to the net to give Lorrha the lead in the second half they wouldn’t relinquish.
The sides shared the opening four points but Moneygall/Clonakenny were the livelier early on Vanston Worrell, James Carroll (3) and Conor Quinlan on target. However, the concession of frees allowed Lorrha to stay in touch with Darragh Guinan and three from Donnacha O’Meara having them within one before their rivals got in for the opening goal on the first water break through Vanston Worrell.
Paul Cahalan was denied by a fine Enda Whyte save on twenty minutes but two minutes later Lorrha did get in for their first goal from Donnacha O’Meara. This was added to two frees by O’Meara for a one point lead but Moneygall/Clonakenny quickly asserted themselves again with Conor Ryan and Carroll (2 frees) on target before Martin Gorman landed a classy score from the wing and deep in added time he scored a cracking goal from a Conor Kennedy pass for a 2-7 to 1-8 half time lead.
Whatever quality water Moneygall/Clonakenny drank at half time certainly as they reeled off four points from play inside the first four minutes of the second half from Carroll, Tadhg Whyte, Quinlan, and Worrell to retake the lead.
However, Lorrha quickly got going again with Gorman again the thorn in the Moneygall/Clonakenny defence as his shot from close range struck the post but quick as a flash Michael Houlihan pulled the lose ball to the net.
Again, Moneygall/Clonakenny hit back with two placed balls from James Carroll to retake the lead but they could never shake off Lorrha and on 39 minutes Martin Gorman got in behind for his second and his sides fourth goal. They quickly added points from the unerring Donnacha O’Meara and a Gorman point from play and Lorrha took the initiative but quickly Moneygall/Clonakenny wrestled it back with a Kevin McCormack goal on 44 minutes and four minutes later two more James Carroll frees had the sides level.
Moneygall/Clonakenny were piling on the pressure but they couldn’t get their noses in front as Lorrha nudged ahead again through a Donnacha O’Meara free before the wily Conor Kennedy landed a classy point. Paul Cahalan was denied again by Eoin Whyte who made a superb save at the expense of a 65 which Darragh Guinan converted for a three-point lead going into added time, of which there was almost ten minutes.
It gave Moneygall/Clonakenny a chance but all they could muster was a James Carroll free while Lorrha added three more from Gorman, O’Meara, and Conor Kennedy to seal victory, and with it a place in the county semi-final.
Lorrha: Con O’Meara; Liam Donoghue, Conor Moylan, Tom Perry; Robert Duffy, Darragh Guinan (0-2, 1f, 1’65), Fergus O’Donoghue; Rory Duffy, Michael Houlihan (1-0); Conor Kennedy (0-2), Martin Gorman (2-3, 0-1f), Kian Hayes; Shane Cleary, Paul Cahalan, Donnacha O’Meara (1-9, 0-9f). Sub: Lee Hogan for Hayes.
Moneygall/Clonakenny: Enda Whyte; Joseph Stapleton, Michael Whyte, Stephen King; Dylan McCormack, Cameron Fleming, David Toohey; James Carroll (0-11, 7f, 1 ’65), Andrew Hoolan; Tadhg Whyte (0-1), Colin Ryan (0-1), Conor Quinlan (0-2); Vanston Worrell (1-2), Kevin McCormack (1-0), Patrick Carroll. Subs: Oisin O’Dwyer for Ryan; David Madden for Stapleton.
Referee: Ger Morris (Borrisokane).