Roscrea take their chances to win North minor football title

GAA: North Tipperary Under 17 ‘B’ Football Championship Final

Roscrea 2-13

Toomevara 4-1

Under the lights at the UL North Campus all-weather pitch last Wednesday night was the unusual setting for this North Tipperary Under 17 ‘B’ Football Final between Toomevara and Roscrea, which saw the boys in red come out on top in an entertaining contest.

A good start from Toomevara was notable in the early stages but as the contest moved on it was Roscrea who were the better team, having a far more prolific spread of scorers, outscoring Toomevara fifteen scores to five but only won by six points.

This was an historic win for Roscrea as the club has only started fielding football teams this year following the demise of Inane Rovers and it shows the talent of the town with the big ball that they can compete for titles at this early stage of that transition.

Toomevara settled well and were awarded a fourth-minute penalty, for a foot block on Cody Quirke. The penalty was calmly converted by Patrick Hackett but soon after, Roscrea began playing more controlled football as the half wore on and dominated midfield for large periods.

Sam Dooley was causing the Toome defence many problems and he scored the first score of his 1-10 haul on ten-minutes. Darragh Hayes in goals produced many good saves as Roscrea started stringing passes together with Dooley converting most of them.

A major turning point occurred just as half-time approached when Jack Hogan had the ball punched out of his hand, while through on goal, and into the Roscrea net only for it to be disallowed. A late Jack Walsh point gave Roscrea a 0-5 to 1-0 lead at half-time.

Roscrea began the second half where they left off in the first with great passing movement and fine scores by Aaron O'Donoghue and substitute Aaron Moloney while all frees were punished by the unerring boot of player of the match Sam Dooley.

Toomevara could only play well in patches with goals by Cody Quirke and substitutes Austin Duff and Michael Ryan.

Roscrea also scored goals by Aaron Moloney and Sam Dooley and these scores proved to be decisive as Roscrea held onto their six-point advantage until the final whistle sounded and became deserved champions.

Toomevara can point to their total of thirteen wides as the reason for the loss but in truth, Roscrea played more intelligent football and took their chances when they came.

Player of the Match: Sam Dooley (Roscrea)

Roscrea: Matthew Bergin; Jack Moloney, Josh Loughnane, Calum Mitchell; Conor Hoctor, Sean Synnott, Corey Moloney; Leigh Loughnane, Aaron O’Donoghue (0-1); Harry Loughnane, Miko Pasalic, Sam Dooley (1-10); Liam Dunphy, Darragh Fletcher, Jack Walsh (0-1).

Subs used: Aaron Moloney (1-1); Mikey Loughnane.

Toomevara: Darragh Hayes, Calum McGuigan, Jack Ryan, Michael Gleeson; Evan Doyle, Jake Hackett, Cormac Friend; Jack Doran, Alex Peng; David O'Brien, Alex Ryan, Dylan Delaney; Cody Quirke (1-0), Patrick Hackett (1-1), Jack Hogan.

Subs used: Billy O'Brien; Austin Duff (1-0); Ciarán Troy; Michael Ryan (1-0); Darragh Hartnett.

Referee: Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch).