Morris the difference as Nenagh see off Templederry

GAA: Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Nenagh Éire Óg 2-24

Templederry Kenyons 2-16

Report: James Hayden in Cloughjordan

An inspired second-half performance from Nenagh Eire Og’s Jake Morris provided the catalyst for his side’s eight-point victory over Templederry Kenyons in a well-contested North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship semi-final clash on Saturday evening.

Morris bagged 1-10, with nine coming from play in an outstanding second-half performance from the inter-county forward as Seamus Cleary’s charges overcame a Templederry side who came up just a little short.

The reigning North champions proved the classier side throughout but Templederry’s ace marksman, Seán Ryan proved a constant thorn in their side, firing 2-3 and keeping Nenagh’s inside back line on their toes throughout.

Templederry won the toss and elected to play with a swirling breeze blowing but it was Nenagh who were first off the mark with a Michael Heffernan free. Templederry responded with points from Seán Ryan and Adrian Ryan before Tommy Heffernan dispossessed Liam McCutcheon and popped over a handy point. Nenagh continued to create chances in attack with the impressive Josh Keller on hand to set up Seán Phelan for Nenagh’s opening goal on seven minutes.

Templederry’s response was immediate though with Colm Murray arrowing over a well-struck free before Eanna Murray’s first-time ball found Seán Ryan in space. Ryan evaded the attentions of Conor Ryan and buried the sliotar in the back of the with twelve minutes elapsed, 1-3 to 1-2.

Another Colm Murray free doubled Templederry’s advantage before Conor Hennessy popped over a fine point for the ‘Blues’. The impressive Darragh Carey responded for Templederry before Paddy Murphy, reveling in his new role in the half-back line, set up Jake Morris for Nenagh’s fifth point. Seconds later, Nenagh were back on terms thanks to a sweet Seán Phelan effort before he fizzed over another 22nd minute effort to fire Nenagh into a lead they would never relinquish.

With the interval approaching, Nenagh really opened up and established a tangible lead with Tommy Heffernan and Ben West both on target before Heffernan sent Josh Keller through on goal. Keller’s effort failed to nestle in the back of net and indeed it was the second clear-cut goal opportunity that went abegging for Nenagh after Ben West found himself in a similar position minutes earlier.

Nenagh eventually found the net though at the third time of asking on 29 minutes after Sam O’Farrell’s excellent clearance was flicked on by Tommy Heffernan into the path of the inrushing Jake Morris and he made no mistake to fire Nenagh 2-8 to 1-6 clear. Michael Heffernan tacked on a long-range free in injury time to ensure Nenagh took a deserved 2-9 to 1-8 cushion to the dressing room.

Templederry emerged determined to cut the deficit and within minutes had halved Nenagh’s advantage with efforts from Seán Ryan and Adrian Ryan. Templederry’s resurgence was quickly cut short though as Nenagh knifed over five quick-fire points in the space of three minutes with Michael Heffernan, Josh Keller, Anthony Walsh, and Jake Morris (2) all on target.

Again, Templederry responded with Seán Ryan netting his second goal on 41 minutes before Colm Murray brought Templederry back to within three with a well-struck free.

Nenagh acted quickly in a bid to stave off any chance of a Templederry revival and enforced positional switches in attack in a bid to free up Jake Morris. Three points on the bounce from Morris restored Nenagh’s advantage but the Kenyons managed to hang on to their coat tails with Adrian Ryan and Colm Murray (2 frees) reducing the deficit to three once more with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Up stepped Jake Morris again though and he knifed over three more points, and this coupled with efforts from the impressive Tommy Heffernan and Seán Phelan effectively served to kill off Templederry’s challenge as the Blues ran out deserving eight-point victors.

Player of the Match: Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og)

Nenagh Éire Óg: Dermot McTiernan (7); Conor Ryan (7), Mark Carey (7), Sam O’Farrell (8); James Mackey (7), Paddy Murphy (8), Adam Healy (7); Barry Heffernan (7), Michael Heffernan (0-3, 2f, 8); Conor Hennessy (0-1, 8), Tommy Heffernan (0-3, 7), Josh Keller (0-2, 8); Ben West (0-1, 7), Jake Morris (1-10, 0-1f) 9), Sean Phelan (1-3, 8).

Subs: Anthony Walsh (0-1, 7) for West (HT); Adam Carey (NR) for Phelan (59).

Templederry Kenyons: Tim McCutcheon (7); Padraig Hogan (7), Christy Coughlan (7), Michael Hayes (6); Liam McCutcheon (7); Tom Stapleton (7), Darragh Carey (0-1, 7); Michael Ryan (6), Conor Looby (6); Gearóid Ryan (7), Adrian Ryan (0-4, 8); Colm Murray (0-8f, 7); Seán Ryan (2-3, 8), Padraig O’Leary (7), Eanna Murray (7).

Subs: Dale Donnelly (6) for Looby (42); Charlie Ward (NR) for Hayes (58).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).