North have too much class for the South

GAA: Miller Shield Inter-Divisional Hurling Round 1

North Tipperary 5-26

South Tipperary 0-24

Report: Shane Brophy in Holycross

A new era of Tipperary hurling began, or restarted, depending on how you look at it, when North Tipperary took on South Tipperary in the first game of the Miller Shield inter-divisional hurling tournament on Saturday morning.

The competition has been revived for the first time in almost seventy years by new Tipperary senior manager Colm Bonnar as a competitive way to assess players ahead of his first campaign which is fast approaching with collective training allowed to resume from December 8th with the pre-season Munster League following in early January.

From an observation exercise, it was a welcome one for the Tipperary management who got to run the rule over 38 players in the game, with the North the much stronger side from start to finish.

The North contained seven players from Liam Sheedy’s last senior panel and they set the standard from which any aspiring players need to step up to. Brian Hogan lined out in goals and had a quiet enough day, helped by James Quigley in front of him who was strong at both full and wing back. Short-handed in terms of numbers, Quigley moved to wing back before half time after Barry Heffernan was forced off through concussion. The Nenagh clubman had been the best player on the field up to that stage as he, Robert Byrne and Liam McCutcheon provided a strong platform in the half back line. Heffernan and Byrne were prominent on the ball, however, Byrne was picked off for six points from play by Tom Stakelum, Dylan Walsh and Sean Kennedy.

Roscrea’s Alan Tynan was another to impress in midfield in the first half with two points and had his hand in a lot of scores, as did Cian Darcy, who was let go from the Tipp panel prior to the last championship, and he showed his ability with a six-point haul from play.

Up front, all six players got on the scoresheet, but Nenagh’s Philip Hickey was the one that caught the eye in terms of a newcomer looking to make an impression, not just with his two goals but his workrate and link-up play was impressive throughout. 2018 under 21 All-Ireland winner David Gleeson also impressed with 1-3 from play while Billy Seymour improved as the game went on.

From a South Tipperary point of view, they were short on top-class experience, apart from former Tipp senior panellist Sean Curran, who was his usual busy self in midfield but of those to impress, Killenaule’s Killian O’Dwyer was decent at corner back in a great battle with David Gleeson, as were Tom Stakelum and Sean Kennedy who scored seven points between them in the half forward line.

Jack Shelly, who impressed for Mullinahone this year, continued his good form with four points from play but the standout for the South was Dylan Walsh who scored five of his ten points from play. Walsh was a talented minor with terrific ability and within a high standard set-up, the Ballingarry clubman has the ability to thrive.

For all the players, and those who will come into the fray for round 2 next weekend, it is about backing up their performance with another consistent one as Colm Bonnar, Tommy Dunne, Paul Curran and Johnny Enright form a solid opinion about their first panel.

Next up in the Miller Shield next Saturday in Clonoulty is the North v West at 11.00am and Mid v South at 1.15pm.

North Tipperary: Brian Hogan (Lorrha 0-1f); Andrew Ryan (Toomevara), James Quigley (Kiladangan), Josh McCarthy (Toomevara); Liam McCutcheon (Templederry Kenyons), Robert Byrne (Portroe), Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Og); Alan Tynan (Roscrea 0-2), Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-6); Thomas Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-3), Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh 0-2), Philip Hickey (Nenagh Eire Og 2-0); Colin Floyd (Newport 0-2), Billy Seymour (Kiladangan 1-7, 0-4f, 0-1 65), David Gleeson (Ballinahinch 1-3).

Subs used: Darragh Carey (Templederry Kenyons); Robbie Quirke (Toomevara)

South Tipperary: Enda Dunphy (St Mary’s); Killian O’Dwyer (Killenaule), Scott Hogan (Carrick Swan), Colin Shelly (Mullinahone); Mikey Whelan (Carrick Davins 0-1), Eoin Fennelly (Mullinahone), Billy Murphy (Carrick Swan); Sean Curran (Mullinahone), Ciaran O’Dwyer (Killenaule); Barry Cooney (South Liberties), Tom Stakelum (Killenaule 0-3), Sean Kennedy (St Mary’s 0-4); Aaron Dunne (Carrick Swan 0-2), Jack Shelly (Mullinahone 0-4), Dylan Walsh (Ballingarry 0-10, 4f, 1 ‘65).

Subs used: Tomas Vaughan (Skeheenarinky), Liam Meagher (Killenaule); Joe Gunn (St Mary's); Brian Delahunty (Fethard); Kieran Lonergan (Carrick Swan).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)