Moneygall retain North Intermediate title in thriller

GAA: Savvy Kitchens North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Final

Moneygall 4-19

Borrisokane 3-17

Report: Liam Hogan in Cloughjordan

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Joe Fogarty (Moneygall)

SCORERS - Moneygall: Joe Fogarty 1-8 (0-7 frees); Mark Fanning 1-1; Sean Kenneally 0-3; Eoin Whyte, Willie Greene 1-0 each; Adam Hogan 0-2; Brendan Tuohy (free), Ger Kirwan, Conor Ryan, Niall Maher, Cathal Greene 0-1 each.

Borrisokane: Gary Ryan 3-4 (0-1 free); Oisin Larkin 0-7 (4 frees, 3’65); Liam Cleary, Philip Austin 0-3 each.

Hosting its first North Intermediate final in 54 years, MacDonagh Park in Cloughjordan was a buzz of excitement from start to finish as Moneygall came from behind retain the title after defeating Borrisokane in a thrilling final on Saturday afternoon.

It was a unique way of defending the title - no championship due to covid in 2020 – their sixth title was well received as Eoin Whyte stepped forward to receive the Fr Hewitt Cup.

In a thrill a minute game, scores were level eight times, seven in the second half with six points the biggest margin held by Moneygall after eight minutes as it looked as if they were going to blitz their way to victory. However, Borrisokane steadied the ship and overturned the deficit by going four in front just before half time before Moneygall.

When Borris went four in front again by the 43rd minute they had won the previous thirty-five minutes a remarkable 3-11 to 1-7, but Moneygall, benefiting from the breeze in the second half, slowly hauled in the challengers and were level on reaching the second water-break at 3-13 each. They were level again on the hour mark at 3-17 each before super sub-Mark Fanning scoring 1-1 with Joe Fogarty’s late free sealing victory.

Fogarty scored 1-8, including 1-1 from play, in a man of the match performance as the wing forward’s ability to cover ground and catch high ball was a feature of his game and has been doing it consistently all year.

It wasn’t a one-man show as Sean Kenneally, Niall Maher and Eoin Whyte came up trumps, especially in the second half while Willie Greene and Mark Fanning played their part when sprung from the bench with each scoring vital goals while Cathal Greene, Jack Kirwan, Brendan Tuohy, Phil Fanning and Conor Ryan overcame a sluggish opening half hour before growing in stature as the second half wore on.

In a game that provided great performances there will be none better than that of Gary Ryan who scored 3-4 for Borrisokane. With two goals in the first half, he secured a third in the 40th minute as Borris looked comfortable but they needed more as Moneygall clawed their way back.

Still no fault could be laid at the hands of Liam Cleary, Conor Ryan, Conor Gavin, Oisin Larkin and Philip Austin and Andy Austin with Roan Murphy Stephen Gavin and Bryan Davis playing their part at half back while Shane Nevin needed to be vigilant in curbing the potential threat of Sean Kenneally.

Kenneally opened the scoring as Moneygall took a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the fifth minute before Brendan Tuohy’s long range free caused bother in around the Borrisokane square before Fogarty took hold of possession and kicked the ball to the net.

Moneygall went six clear by the eighth minute but the concession of frees meant Oisin Larkin was very much on song for Borris and approaching the waterbreak in the 16th minute it was 0-6 to 1-5.

Six minutes later Gary Ryan was lurking at the edge of the small square before finding the net for his first goal. After Ger Kirwan and Philip Austin traded scores, Borris led 1-8 to 1-6 but in the 26th minute Eoin Whyte weaved his way past the Borris defence for Moneygall’s second goal.

The one-point lead lasted no length as Philip Austin levelled before Gary Ryan raced through for his second goal in the 29th minute. The drama continued and with Conor Ryan pointing before Sean Kennelly was sure to score a goal but his shot from close range hit the crossbar before Fogarty pointed a free and at half time as Borrisokane led 2-10 to 2-7.

Within five minutes of the restart, Moneygall had four points on the board through Adam Hogan and Joe Fogarty followed by a Tuohy free before another Fogarty free gave them the lead.

Points from Gary Ryan and Liam Cleary had Borris in front again by the 37th minute. Borris were in full flow and after surviving a scare with Ger Kirwan hitting the side-netting, they had their supporters jumping for joy when Gary Ryan found the net for his third goal.

After Niall Maher responded with a point, Gary Ryan’s free put Borris four clear for the third time before Willie Greene, on as a substitute, rattled the net from close range before Sean Kenneally picked up his third to see the sides level at 3-13 each at the final water-break.

Over the next four minutes both sides traded scores with Moneygall midfielder Conor Ryan putting them in front with Philip Austin bringing parity. Gary Ryan had Borris in front but Joe Fogarty’s free made it 3-15 each eight minutes from time.

One minute later, Moneygall went in front again thanks to Cathal Greene’s score from halfway. Joe Fogarty added a free, but Oisin Larkin’s 65 followed by a free had matters level for the eighth and final time.

Extra time was looking a distinct possibility but when Mark Fanning had Moneygall in front their supporters sensed victory and when Philip Fanning raced up the right wing, his high delivery landed on the edge of the square where Mark Fanning deflected to the net.

Joe Fogarty pointed a free the Fr Hewitt Cup was on its way to Obama country.

TEAMS - Moneygall: Michael Ryan (7); Cathal Greene (7), Jack Kirwan (7), Liam Carroll (7); Brendan Tuohy (7), Phil Fanning (7), Roddy Teehan (7); Conor Ryan (7), Cathal Kennedy (6); Joe Fogarty (9), Eoin Whyte (7), Adam Hogan (6); Sean Kenneally (7), Ger Kirwan (6), Niall Maher (6).

Subs: Willie Greene (7) for G Kirwan (39); Mark Fanning (7) for Kennedy (47); Dylan Maher (NR) for Hogan (56); Bob Kenny (NR) for C Greene (60+2).

Borrisokane: Luke Gleeson (6); James Hough (7), Cathal Dooley (7), Shane Nevin (7); Roan Murphy (7), Stephen Gavin (6), Bryan Davis (7); Liam Cleary (8), Michael Heenan (6); Gary Ryan (9), Andy Austin (7), Conor Gavin (7); Oisin Larkin (7), Philip Austin (7), Conor Ryan (8).

Subs: Kevin Cleary (6) for Heenan (42 inj); Colm Larkin (6) for A Austin (53); Dylan Power (NR) for C Gavin (57); Eddie O’Dwyer (NR) for Murphy (60+2).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)