North Tipperary GAA Affairs

By Michael Quinn PRO

Under 21 'A' Hurling Championship: Round 2 of the 'A' Championship took place last Sunday.

In Group 1, Silvermines' strong finish helped to secure a 3-12 to 2-12 victory over Roscrea.

Roscrea held a 2-9 to 1-6 half time lead and they held onto this lead until a Silvermines goal through Sean Nolan in the 50th minute levelled the score - 3-9 to 2-12. The Mines' went onto score three points without reply though Danny Quinn (2) and Nolan.

This victory secures a semi-final spot for Silvermines, and they will be joined in the knock out stages by Nenagh Eire Og who had a 0-19 to 0-12 victory over Kiladangan in Puckane.

The sides were level 0-8 each at half time and Kiladangan went into the lead for the first time in the game in the 39th minute but Eire Og hit a purple patch over the next ten minutes, scoring seven points without reply, giving Kiladangan too much of a deficit to claw back.

Silvermines and Eire Og will face off this Sunday at 12 noon in Nenagh with the winner securing top spot and home advantage for the semi-finals. The remaining game also takes place this Sunday at 12 noon with Kiladangan hosting Roscrea in Puckane.

In Group 2, Ballina had a hard earned 0-10 to 0-8 victory at home to Toomevara.

In a low scoring game, the sides were level 0-4 each at half time. This result secures a home semi-final spot for Ballina whilst the second knock out spot from the group will go to the winner of this Sunday's game when Toomevara host Borris-Ileigh at 12 noon.

Under 21 'B' Hurling Championship: Round 2 of the 'B' Championship took place last weekend.

In group 2 last Saturday, Burgess had a comprehensive 4-22 to 0-10 win over neighbours Portroe.

The home side got off to a great start with a goal in the opening minute from Joe O’Dwyer. Portroe responded with their opening point after five minutes before O’Dwyer struck for a second goal on fourteen minutes. Luke Conneally rattled the net for the third goal on 23 minutes, and further scores from an impressive pair Mikey Ryan and Conneally, alongside David Nealon frees saw Burgess 3-11 to 0-5 up at half time.

It was much the same in the second half with Nealon, Eoin Grace and Joe O’Dwyer adding to their tallies before David Nealon struck for the fourth goal on 41 minutes. Burgess kept the scoreboard ticking over with Diarmuid O’Donoghue, Conor Cooney and Liam Grace also adding their names to the scoresheet.

Kilruane MacDonaghs confirmed a place in the semi-finals with a game to spare following a 2-13 to 0-8 win over Lorrha Rovers in Tony Reddin Park on Sunday.

It didn’t take long to see where the game was going as Kilruane raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after thirteen minutes with Cillian Healy scoring twice with from Michael Henley, Jack Mulcahy and Paul O’Dwyer on target with Liam O’Dwyer the Lorrha Rovers scorer.

An Eoin Carroll goal in the fourteenth minute put his team seven in front and the lead increased further with points by midfielder Brian O’Meara and Carroll again. Conor Kennedy had Lorrha Rovers second point in the 23rd minute before Carroll added to his tally to 1-2 leaving Kilruane 1-8 to 0-2 in front at the interval, a lead that might have been greater but fourteen first half wides.

A spirited recovery by Lorrha Rovers saw the margin reduced to six after points by Liam O’Dwyer and two from Conor Kennedy. More was needed but it all came unstuck when Michael Cleary found the back of the net in the 44th minute. The balance had swung in the visitors favour as the remainder of the game was a shootout between Eoin Carroll and Conor Kennedy with Jack Mulcahy and Donnacha O’Meara scoring from play.

Round 3 fixtures take place this Sunday at 12 noon - Burgess host Lorrha Rovers and Portroe host Kilruane MacDonaghs.

In Group 1, Newport had an impressive 2-20 to 1-9 victory over Ballinahinch/Templederry last Saturday with the Mulcaire men leading 1-14 to 1-5 at half time.

Moneygall/Clonakenny defeated Borrisokane 0-21 to 1-7 in the second game in the group with the combo leading 0-7 to 0-3 at half time.

Round 3 fixtures take place this Sunday at 12 noon - Clonakenny Moneygall host Ballinahinch/Templederry and Borrisokane host Newport.

County Action: Hard luck to Silvermines who lost to Cappawhite last Saturday in Kilcommon in the County Junior 'B' Hurling Final.

Best of luck to Burgess who face Rosegreen this Saturday, 2nd November at 2.45pm in The Ragg in the County Junior 'B' Football Final.