Toomevara are back at the top of the U16 ‘A’ hurling tree
GAA: North Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under 16 ‘A’ Hurling Final
Toomevara 1-15
Nenagh Eire Og 0-12
Nenagh Eire Og 0-12
Report: Liam Hogan in Kilcolman
A very good first half performance helped Toomevara win their 12th North Tipperary Under 16 ‘A’ Hurling Championship, and their first in four years, when defeating Nenagh Eire Og in the final on Monday evening.
With a solid all-round performance, they led 1-9 to 0-8 at half time. With an addition of three more points by the 40th they looked comfortable but as expected the Nenagh side fought back in the last quarter but were unable to break down a cohesive Toome defence.
Toomevara faced the stiff breeze in the opening half as Adam Hall Opened the scoring before Sam Farrell levelled in the sixth minute. Two minutes later Aodan O’Connor gave Nenagh the lead but points from Tim Flaherty and Daragh McCarthy (free) had Toome in front on eleven minutes.
Nenagh corner forward Aodan O’Connor was their shining light and he troubled Toome all evening and after pointing in the 13th minute he gave Eire Og the lead with a brilliant score on the left wing a minute later.
But with Daniel Farrell rock solid at centre back, Toome began to take over and their forward line of Fionn McGuiggan, Adam Hall and Darragh McCarthy caused endless problems. As a result, Nenagh were guilty of conceding far too many frees and McCarthy punished the sky blues with the lead point in the 21st minute. One minute later, Oisin Troy poked home a goal following a goalmouth struggle.
At the other end, Cormac Hogan denied Jack McLoughlin with a great save in the 23rd minute. Sam Farrell converted the resulting 65 before O’Connor added another super point from the right wing this time round.
Both Adam Hall and Taurie Shayanewako were having a ding-dong battle and in the 27th minute the Toome man got free to register his second point. Timmy Flaherty added another before O’Connor found the target once more.
Approaching half time, both Flaherty and Farrell picked up a point each but not to be outdone Nenagh managed to close the gap after Aodan O’Connor secured his sixth point and fourth from play as Toomevara led 1-9 to 0-8 at half time.
The opening ten minutes of the second half proved very profitable for Toome as Flaherty and two pointed frees from McCarthy gave them a seven-point lead.
Nenagh moved Taurie Shayanewako to centre forward and Sam Farrell went to centre back with the excellent Max Cawley now at full back. Farrell narrowed the gap with a 65 but Toome restored their seven-point advantage through an Adam Hall point in the 45th minute, where before the second water break both Aodan O’Connor and Darragh McCarthy traded frees.
On the resumption Nenagh continued to pressure Toomevara as O’Connor and Farrell converted a free each and as Eire Og continued to bombard the Toome goal but Ted Evans, Harry Duff and company refused to yield.
Taurie Shayanewako did manage to bring the best from Cormac Hogan but Toome eventually turned defence into attack as Darragh McCarthy finished off a fine victory for the greyhounds who can look forward to a county semi-final on Saturday week.
MATCH DIGEST
Toomevara: Cormac Hogan; Harry Duff, Ted Evans, Tom Gleeson; Jack Harford, Daniel Farrell (0-1), Matt Coffey; Dillon Carroll, Joe Coffey; Darragh McCarthy (0-7, 6f), Adam Hall (0-3), Fionn McGuigan; Oisin Troy (1-0), Tim Flaherty (0-4), Cathal Frend.
Subs: David Conway for Gleeson (HT); Aaron Egan for Troy (60+2); Josh Power for McCarthy (60+3).
Nenagh Eire Og: Eoin Garrigan; Sean Moylan, Conor Tierney, Charlie Cavanagh; Taurai Shayanewako, Mason Cawley, Keelan Rice; Philip McIntyre, Cian Carmody; Ben Connolly, Jack McLoughlin, Sam Farrell (0-4, 1f, 2 ‘65s); Aodan O’Connor (0-8, 4f), Zac Keller, John O’Reilly.
Subs: Cian Connolly for Connolly (28); Jake Houlihan for Keller (41); Josh McLoughney for McLoughlin (45); Cathal Dervan for Reilly (50).
Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)
Toomevara: Cormac Hogan; Harry Duff, Ted Evans, Tom Gleeson; Jack Harford, Daniel Farrell (0-1), Matt Coffey; Dillon Carroll, Joe Coffey; Darragh McCarthy (0-7, 6f), Adam Hall (0-3), Fionn McGuigan; Oisin Troy (1-0), Tim Flaherty (0-4), Cathal Frend.
Subs: David Conway for Gleeson (HT); Aaron Egan for Troy (60+2); Josh Power for McCarthy (60+3).
Nenagh Eire Og: Eoin Garrigan; Sean Moylan, Conor Tierney, Charlie Cavanagh; Taurai Shayanewako, Mason Cawley, Keelan Rice; Philip McIntyre, Cian Carmody; Ben Connolly, Jack McLoughlin, Sam Farrell (0-4, 1f, 2 ‘65s); Aodan O’Connor (0-8, 4f), Zac Keller, John O’Reilly.
Subs: Cian Connolly for Connolly (28); Jake Houlihan for Keller (41); Josh McLoughney for McLoughlin (45); Cathal Dervan for Reilly (50).
Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)