Nenagh pip Kilruane in Junior 'A' semi-final

GAA: North Tipperary Junior 'A' Hurling Championship Semi-Final

 

Nenagh Eire Og         1-11 
Kilruane MacDonaghs     0-12

Report: Liam Hogan in Puckane

A Bob O’Brien goal two minutes from time gave Nenagh Eire Og a place in the North Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Hurling final when they defeated Kilruane in a well contested semi-final last Saturday.

The winning goal was a fitting end to the game as the winners were the better side but they could have won by a lot more but for sixteen wides and they will have to improve for the final.  

Nenagh shot six of those wides in the opening half which belonged to Kilruane MacDonaghs who led by five points approaching the half time break.

Kilruane took the lead after two minutes when Justin Cahill opened the scoring before Niall Madden level within thirty seconds. A second Justin Cahill score in the third minute edged Kilruane in front but Darragh Walsh levelled in the fourth minute.

The hard-working Conor Austin put Kilruane in front and Niall Shinners doubled the lead with a free after Mark O’Meara was fouled on route. 
A brilliant Darragh Walsh point narrowed the gap in the 17th minute as the players turned their attention to the first water break and when the teams resumed play the Kilruane attack went on a scoring spree of four unanswered points. The first came from Justin Cahill. Niall Shinners added a free before Mark O’Neill added a brilliant score from play with Niall Shinners completing the quartet with a free as the very busy Justin Cahill making trouble once more. 

As the game passed the half hour mark Nenagh keeper Michael McNamara stepped up to direct a long range free over the bar and end Nenagh’s spell without a score. Darragh Walsh added a splendid point on the right but Niall Shinners moved Kilruane four in front and as the half went six and half minutes into added time it ended with a score apiece as Niall McKeogh (Nenagh) and Conor Austin Kilruane were accurate as the half the scoreline read Kilruane 0-10 Nenagh 0-6.

Kilruane began the second half and should have been awarded a sixty-five but the umpires ruled otherwise. Once play swung to the other end and Darragh Walsh recovered lost ground with two pointed frees. A foul on Shane Williams led to Niall Shinners adding a free but Darragh Walsh did likewise to see Nenagh trail by two points with twenty minutes remaining. 

In the 42nd minute Anthony Walsh had the misfortune to hit the Kilruane crossbar as the middle third of the half produced a mixture of good defending amidst some poor shooting with Martin Grace and Thomas Hogan doing well for MacDonaghs while Sean Geaney, Alex Jones and Mark Flannery providing quality for the light blues. 

Indeed it was the 51st minute before Darragh Walsh levelled matters with a free as Nenagh began to produce more chances but failed as their wides tally increased with every passing minute. 

Then two minutes from time, Nenagh struck gold when Bob O’Brien latched on to a long range free from Michael McNamara and gave Thomas Williams no chance. 

Kilruane fought back with a quick response with Justin Cahill scoring his fourth point. Kilruane continued to push forward for scores but they were denied by a close marking Nenagh defence who held on to return to the final. 

Mark Flannery had a great game for Nenagh while Alex Jones surged into the game in the second half. Sean Geaney was safe at centre back while the rest of the defence played their part in the win. Niall Madden got in some vital possession but his opposite number Conor Austin had a good hour also for Kilruane. Darragh Walsh was Nenagh’s best forward while Bob O’Brien took his goal well.

Apart from the efforts of Conor Austin, Kilruane can thank Thomas Hogan, Martin Grace and Gavin McAvinchey for their efforts. Kilruane suffered up front where Justin Cahill did well with four points to his credit but more was expected from him.

Player of the Match: Mark Flannery (Nenagh Eire Og)
Nenagh Eire Og: Michael MacNamara (0-1f); Mark Farrell, Mark Carey, Brian Tuite; 
Alex Jones, Sean Geaney, Mark Flannery; Niall Madden (0-1), Niall McKeogh (0-1); Anthony Walsh, John Cahalan, Cian O’Farrell; Darragh Walsh (0-8, 5f), Bob O’Brien (1-0), Jamie Cottrell. 
Subs: Craig Hilmi for Cottrell (HT); Josh Keller for Madden (58 inj); Seth Shanawako for A Walsh (59)
Kilruane MacDonaghs: Thomas Williams; Oisin O’Meara, Gavin McAvinchey, Brian MacAdams; Martin Grace, Thomas Hogan, Caoilain Conroy; Shane Williams, Conor Austin (0-2); Mark O’Meara, Niall Shinners (0-5f), Declan Barrett; Pat Conway, Justin Cahill (0-4), Mark O’Neill (0-1). 
Subs: Kevin Ryan for Conway (49); Jonathon Cahill for M O’Meara (56); Conor Austin for Barrett (58).  
Referee: Pat Murray (Moneygall)