Toome hold out to claim ‘A’ title

North Tipperary Under 15 'A' Hurling Final

Toomevara 1-13

Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-10

Report: Liam Hogan in Templederry

A stronger Toomevara side overcame Kilruane MacDonagh on Saturday to claim the North Tipperary Under 15 ‘A’ Hurling title.

It shouldn’t have come to a one score game as Toome had all the aces. They had a strong spine down the middle with Jack Ryan, Billy O’Brien, Patrick Hackett, and Alex Ryan taking charge. Ryan scored 1-3 from midfield.

Their only trouble was the number of wides for Toome which reached nineteen (Kilruane had ten) while Kilruane can thank goalkeeper Andrew Austin for the number of great saves, especially throughout the second half.

Scores were level four times in a tense opening half as Michael Cleary and Jack Hogan led the way with four points each, with Cleary scoring twice from play while Hogan scored just one.

Both sides took turns in taking the lead with Toomevara taking a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the fourteenth minute, but Kilruane settled down to take a two point lead for the second time at 0-7 to 0-5 approaching half time before Jack Hogan’s free, followed by a point from play by Austin Duffy brought parity for the fourth time as the sides returned to the dressing rooms at 0-7 each.

Toomevara had the breeze to assist them in the second half and they had Kilruane goalkeeper Andrew Austin coming off his line to cut out a threat to his goal in the opening minute. Toome continued to press and in the 38th minute the Kilruane netminder was called upon to deny Austin Duff, but play was called back for a free, which Jack Hogan converted.

A minute later, the excellent Coady Quirke set off on thirty metre run and put Alex Ryan through for a point before Ryan scored his second point and Toome’s tenth to lead by three.

Meanwhile, Kilruane came back into the game and Ray Quinlivan rounded his marker and headed towards goal before winning a free which Michael Cleary converted. As Toome squandered another chance, Kilruane took their’s and Cleary narrowed the gap to one with another free in the 50th minute.

Then the floodgates opened for Toome as they scored 1-3 in a seven minute spell. Good teamwork was the key as Alex Ryan raced through the Kilruane defence to score a good goal. From there, Toome hit three unanswered points through Jack Hogan from halfway, followed by a good score by wing back Coady Quirke and the same player ventured up field once more before linking up with Alex Ryan who scored another point.

There were two minutes left and it allowed Kilruane time to respond and they had to depend on Ray Quinlivan’s goal from a penalty after Johnny Naughnane was fouled.

Kilruane supporters sensed another goal was in the offing and they put the Toome defence under pressure. Shane Cleary had moved to full forward and won a close range free halfway between the goal and the side-line. Quinlivan went low but his shot was deflected out for a 65. The ball could have finished up anywhere. It was that close.

However, Toome survived in a game they could have won with more to spare. They have a good team and apart from O’Neill, Ryan, Hackett, and Quirke there was more to admire from Cormac Frend, Adam Whyte, and Tony Dunne in defence while Michael Ryan, Austin Duff and Jack Hogan caught the eye. Coady Quirke showed real class.

Kilruane will come again no doubt. Andrew Austin was excellent in goals while Fearghal Doheny Tommy Burris, Jack Quinlisk, Cormac Gaynor, Shane Cleary, and Paul Molloy did well. Quinlisk really caught the eye for his stylish play and ability to cover of the danger.

Player of the Match: Coady Quirke (Toomevara)

Toomevara: Darragh Hayes; Adam Whyte, Jack Ryan, Cormac Frend; Tony Dunne, Billie O’Brien, Coady Quirke (0-1); Patrick Hackett (0-1), Alex Ryan (1-3); Dylan Delaney, Seamus Farrell, Michael Ryan; Jack Hogan (0-6, 4f), Austin Duff (0-2), Liam Hackett.

Subs: Darragh Kelly for Delaney (49); Evan Doyle for M Ryan (60+1).

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Andrew Austin; Fearghal Doheny Tommy Burris, Jack Quinlisk; Cormac Gaynor, Shane Cleary (0-1), Paul Molloy; Tommy O’Meara, Cillian Healy (0-1); Michael Hennelly (0-2), Ray Quinlivan (1-0 pen), William Jones; Fiachra Woods, Michael Cleary (0-6, 4f), Dara Moloney.

Subs: Cathal McIntyre for Moloney (35); Johnny Naughnane for M Cleary (60); Cormac Kennedy for Jones (60).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).