Nenagh claim North Senior Hurling title in heroic fashion
Nenagh Eire Og claimed their tenth North Tipperary Senior Hurling title in dramatic fashion following a come from behind victory to end Kiladangan’s quest for a three-in-a-row on Sunday evening.
GAA: Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Final
Nenagh Eire Og2-20
Kiladangan2-18
Report: Shane Brophy in Cloughjordan
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og)
SCORERS – Nenagh Eire Og: Michael Heffernan 0-10 (6 frees, 2 65’s); Jake Morris 1-3; James Mackey 1-1; Tommy Heffernan, Philip Hickey 0-2 each; Barry Heffernan (free), Hugh Maloney 0-1 each.
Kiladangan: Bryan McLoughney 1-7 (0-3 frees, 0-1 65); Sean Hayes 0-4; Paul Flynn 1-1; Jack Loughnane 0-2 (1 s-cut); Darren Moran, Tadhg Gallagher, Matthew Cleary, Joe Gallagher 0-1 each.
Nenagh Eire Og claimed their tenth North Tipperary Senior Hurling title in dramatic fashion following a come from behind victory to end Kiladangan’s quest for a three-in-a-row on Sunday evening.
The final outcome didn’t look likely at half time where Kiladangan were 1-13 to 0-9 in front after a dominant first half where Bryan McLoughney continued his great form with a 20th minute goal, while Sean Hayes was also causing consternation in the Nenagh defence.
However, Nenagh came out a transformed team in the second half, with subs Sean Phelan and Cian Crowley making a marked impact. Eire Og also had to overcome some big blows, firstly losing captain Barry Heffernan to a serious knee injury just after half time.
But it didn’t knock Nenagh back and by the 49th minute they had erased the seven point deficit before they suffered a double blow, firstly Paul Flynn scored a soft goal which -was followed by a straight red card for Conor McCarthy following an off-the-ball incident with Bryan McLoughney after the goal.
Kiladangan went four points in front on 54 minutes but Nenagh refused to yield and four minutes later Jake Morris scored a terrific goal under ferocious pressure to bring the sides level.
All the momentum was with Nenagh now and on the front foot they forced two frees which Michael Heffernan converted to bring his personal tally to ten points. Bryan McLoughney halved the arrears deep in added time but the seal was put on the win by the ageless Hugh Maloney coming off the bench to score the final point and with it one of the sweetest victories for Nenagh in their long history.
Full report and reaction in this weeks Nenagh Guardian, out Wednesday
TEAMS – Nenagh Eire Og: Mark Tuite; Conor Hennessy, Adam Gratton, Conor McCarthy; Conor Ryan, Barry Heffernan, Adam Healy; James Mackey, Josh Keller; Ben West, Michael Heffernan, Killian Malone; Jake Morris, Philip Hickey, Tommy Heffernan.
Subs: Sean Phelan for West (HT); Cian Crowley for Malone (HT); Mark Carey for B Heffernan (33 inj); Hugh Maloney for Keller (57); Sean Geaney for T Heffernan (60+7).
Kiladangan: Barry Hogan; Fergal Hayes, James Quigley, Daragh Butler; Darren Moran, Alan Flynn, John O’Meara; Tadhg Gallagher, Jack Loughnane; Joe Gallagher, Matthew Cleary, Sean Hayes; Bryan McLoughney, Paul Flynn, Dan O’Meara.
Subs: David Sweeney for Butler (17 inj); Tom O’Meara for Cleary (46); Conor Byrne for D O’Meara (57); Eoghan Sharkey for S Hayes (60+2).
Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)