Kiladangan edge to Junior ‘B’ League success

GAA: North Tipperary Junior ‘B’ Hurling League Final

Kiladangan 0-20

Silvermines 2-13

Report: Liam Hogan in Portroe

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Tom McLoughlin (Kiladangan)

SCORERS - Kiladangan: Shane Gleeson 0-10 (6 frees, 1’65); Paddy Coen, D J McGrath, Eoin Meagher 0-2 each; Tom McLoughlin 0-2 (1 s-cut); Eoin Kelly, John McGrath 0-1 each.

Silvermines: Niall Curran 2-0; Willie Keogh 0-5 (2 frees, 1’65); Kieran Fogarty, Bryan Seymour 0-2 each; Sean Spillane, Stephen Ryan, Daniel Keogh 0-1 each.

Kiladangan claimed the North Tipperary Junior ‘B’ Hurling League title following a narrow victory over Silvermines in a very entertaining final played last Sunday.

In a see-saw battle where scores were level on eleven occasions, twenty scores to fifteen will tell its own story as Kiladangan’s ability to take their scores proved the difference and in the dying minutes they had Eoin McGrath and a Tom McLoughlin side-line ball to clinch the victory.

Kiladangan’s accuracy was another vital statistic. They hit five wides in the first half but none in the second and this was one of the downfalls for Silvermines because wind assisted in the second half, they hit nine to add to the three in the opening period.

Shane Gleeson’s point from a free had Kiladangan in front after a minute but the lead lasted no length as the versatile Niall Curran found the net from close range before Willie Keogh added a free. DJ McGrath reduced the margin, but the three-point advantage was quickly restored when the hard-working Bryan Seymour pointed.

From there, Kiladangan began to get back on terms when pointed frees by Shane Gleeson either side of a Tom Mcloughlin score levelled matters by the 15th minute before Kieran Fogarty edged the ‘Mines in front at first water-break, 1-3 to 0-5.

When Kiladangan returned they had a new goalkeeper with Paul Seymour replacing Neil Cahalan who felt ill. Shane Gleeson soon levelled matters and further Kiladangan pressure saw the ‘Mines keeper Cathal Sherlock deny Eoin Meagher before Paddy Coen gave them a slender lead.

Kieran Fogarty levelled but two Shane Gleeson scores gave Kiladangan their biggest lead to date before substitute Stephen Ryan narrowed the gap to one at half time, 0-9 to 1-5.

Playing with the breeze it didn’t take long for Silvermines to re-settle their troops with Willie Keogh and a long-range Bryan Seymour edging them back in front. From there it was Kiladangan’s turn to take the lead with Paddy Coen and Shane Gleeson (free) both on target before Sean Spillane had the ‘Mines level by the 38th minute.

It was a case of who would blink first and with the Silvermines wides beginning to mount, Kiladangan were making hay with John McGrath and DJ McGrath each finding the target.

However, such luxuries were scarce and in an instant Silvermines were back in front thanks to another fine Niall Curran goal, after an assist from Ciaran Timmons.

Shane Gleeson quickly levelled with a free, but Willie Keogh restored the lead with a similar score before Gleeson levelled with another free at the final water-break, 0-15 to 2-9.

Entering the final quarter, one could sense a rise in tempo with both goal areas under threat. After Eoin Meagher put Kiladangan in front, Paul Seymour produced a good save to deny Stephen Ryan at the expense of a 65 which Willie Keogh converted. In response Shane Gleeson converted his own 65 but Keogh levelled again in the 55th minute.

Two minutes later the sides would be level for the eleventh and final time after Daniel Keogh’s long range score matched Eoin Kelly’s score from much closer.

With the hour mark fast approaching one felt that extra time looked a real possibility. But Kiladangan had other ideas, especially Eoin Meagher who dissected the posts from thirty metres. Silvermines replied but they were off target registering their ninth second half wide. Once Kiladangan returned with the puckout they won a side-line ball 55-metres out and Tom McLoughlin stepped up and fired the ball over the bar. The ‘Mines fought back but Paul Seymour denied Sean Spillane before Willie Keogh pointed a free, but it wasn’t enough as Kiladangan held on for victory.

Tom McLoughlin was Kiladangan’s man of the match; Darragh Ryan and John McGrath were prominent in defence. Shane Gleeson, Eoin Kelly, Paddy Coen, and Eoin Meagher did most up front. Pail Seymour played well in goal while Neil Cahalan didn’t put a foot wrong during his short stay in goal. Bill Cleary was another to do well when he came on as a substitute.

Cathal Sherlock did well in goal for Silvermines with the versatile David Boland in command in front of him while Cathal Gleeson caught the eye at six. Paddy Leamy was Silvermines busiest and most stylish player. Bryan Seymour worked very hard alongside him while Stephen Ryan posed danger every time he came near goal. One cannot forget Niall Curran with his two goals.

TEAMS – Kiladangan: Neil Cahalan (7); John McGrath (7), Cathal Ryan (NR), Eanna Gleeson (7); Cian Ryan (6), Jim Minehan (6), Darragh Ryan (7); Ronan Ducie (6), Tom McLoughlin (7); Paddy Coen (7), Eoin Kelly (7), Shane Gleeson (7); Padraig Kelly (6), DJ McGrath (6), Eoin Meagher (7).

Subs: Bill Cleary (7) for C Ryan (6 inj); Paul Seymour (8) for Cahalan (16); Conor Sheahan (7) for P Kelly (23); Darragh Ryan (NR) for Gleeson (59).

Silvermines: Cathal Sherlock (7); Tiernan Flynn (6), David Boland (7), Cathal McGrath (7); Peter Kennedy (6), Cathal Gleeson (7), Damien Boland (6); Patrick Leamy (7), Bryan Seymour (7); Kieran Fogarty (6), Ciaran Timmons (6), Sean Spillane (6); Willie Keogh (6), Niall Curran (7), Daniel Ryan (6).

Subs: Stephen Ryan (7) for Ryan (28 inj); Daniel Keogh (7) for Fogarty (47).

Referee: Kieran Delaney (Toomevara).