Éire Óg crowned Junior ‘B’ champs

GAA: FBD Insurance County Junior 'B' Football Final

Nenagh Eire Og 0-11

Aherlow 0-6

Report: Liam Hogan in Borrisoleigh

Nenagh Éire Óg gave North Tipperary another County football title to cheer about following their five-point win over Aherlow at Borrisoleigh last Sunday at noon.

In a game that balanced for three quarters of the tie, it was the arrival of Barry and Tommy Heffernan that really turned the game in their favour. Nenagh led 0-6 to 0-4 when the boys were called into the action and with their assistance, the sky blues began to dominate as they outscored the Westmen five points to two in the remaining minutes.

Overall, Nenagh’s greater fitness and all round strength won the day with their backline refusing to budge where Adam Gratton was immense while Alan Kelly, Danny Ryan and Daire Quinn got in a great deal of work. Ben West made a difference when he was called from the bench at the first water break. Others like Mark Carey and Josh Keller dominated the middle third while James Mackey, Barry Heffernan, Tommy Heffernan, Conor Ryan plus Adam Healy, who also scored two points and covered every inch of ground to earn the man of the match award. Nenagh keeper Callan Scully played fine with the Tipp under 2o keeper playing his part of the bargain

In fairness, this was Aherlow’s second team, but they had their heroes with Tony O’Brien, Moss O’Brien, Jack O’Halloran and the stylish Simon Grehan each defying their tender age of eighteen by never giving up. Full back John Hennessey could do no more in front of a reliable goalkeeper in Gordon Peters while Patrick O’Donoghue and Bernard O’Brien had their moments.

Adam Healy had Nenagh in front after five minutes in a period that saw the North champions dominate the possession stakes and they continued to do so while conceding ground - allowing the odd break away by Aherlow who eventually secured an equaliser in the twelfth minute after Tony O’Neill kicked over a beautiful score with his left foot.

Meanwhile Nenagh spurned a close in free the second time in the opening minutes as scores remained the same at the first waterbreak. When play got under way again it was Nenagh who kicked on with Conor Ryan (free), Jake Morris and Sean Shanahan scoring a point each. Tony O’Brien replied with a point against the run of play in the 29th minute before Bernard O’Brien added a free a minute later to leave the minimum between the teams at half time 0-4 to 0-3.

Conor Ryan stretched the Nenagh lead with a free in the 34th minute and one minute later James Mackey added another point after being put through by Alan Kelly.

A move commenced in their own half by full back John Hennessey sent Aherlow into the attack with Shane Ryan continuing through the middle of the Nenagh cover before he set up Bernard O’Brien with a point in the 38th minute. The score encouraged Aherlow as they began to string the passes together, thus forcing Nenagh into conceding far too many frees,but further scoring opportunities in front of goal were sparse.

It was time for action and the Nenagh management, led by Kevin Mulryan and Timmy Dalton, called on the cavalry and Barry and Tommy Heffernan entered the fray. Right away the Light Blues took the game to the opposition and were rewarded with an Adam Healy point in the 46th minute.

After the final waterbreak Nenagh continued and with a threat of danger close to the Aherlow goal a three man move involving Jake Morris and Josh Keller saw the final pass allow space for Tommy Heffernan to score before Heffernan doubled his account in the 56th minute.

Aherlow’s response was a point by midfielder Patrick O’Donoghue in the 57th minute but Nenagh made sure that Aherlow were not going to deny them as their defence held firm and in the 60th minute Mark Carey won a free for Conor Ryan to convert the resulting free. Deep into injury time, Aherlow came looking for a goal but Bernard O’Brien’s pointed free was their reward as the light blue and navy ribbons were placed on the silverware for the winning captain, James Mackey to accept.

TEAMS - Nenagh Éire Óg: Callan Scully (7); Ger Mitchel (6), Adam Gratton (8), Danny Ryan (7); Alan Kelly (7), Conor Hennessey (7), Daire Quinn (8); Mark Carey (8), Brendan Long (6); Jake Morris (7), Conor Ryan (8), James Mackey (capt) (7); Sean Shanahan (7), Philip Hickey (7), Adam Healy (8).

Subs: Ben West (8) for Mitchel (16); Tommy Heffernan (8) for Morris (blood 26-27); Tommy Heffernan for B Long (40); Barry Heffernan (8) for Shanahan (40); Craig Hilmi (n/r) for Hickey (57).

Aherlow: Gordon Peters (8); Moss O’Brien, John Hennessey, Graham Bourke; Jack O’Halloran, Simon Grehan (8), Anthony Leahy (6); Liam Ryan (7), Patrick O’Donoghue (7); Sean Landers (7), Bernard O’Brien (7), Tony O’Neill (8); Patrick O’Donoghue (6), Paddy Hennessey (6), Sean Kiely (6).

Subs: Kevie Franks (6) for P Hennessey (22); Dylan Cunningham (6) for Leahy (h/t); Shane Ryan (6) for O’Donoghue (46).

Referee: Tom Loughnane (Gortnahoe Glengoole)