Newport edge past Nenagh in North U15 Football Final

GAA: North Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under 15 ‘A’ Football Final

Newport 1-12

Nenagh Eire Og 2-7

Report: Liam Hogan at Dolla

Newport came from behind to claim the North Tipperary Under 15 ‘A’ Football title when defeating Nenagh Eire Og in a very entertaining encounter last Tuesday.

Two years previous, it was Nenagh who took the laurels when winning the Under 13 grade by one point.

Newport played against the breeze in the first half but were two points in front by the ninth minute after Bobby O’Connor and Darragh Healy were on target.

Meanwhile, Nenagh enjoyed plenty of possession and Fionn Tucker was a constant threat to the Newport goal. The corner forward was denied when goalkeeper Michael Coffey produced a fine save. However, play was called back for a free which David Mullarkey converted.

Aided by Newport’s tendency to foul, Nenagh continued on the front foot and a move involving Cian Ryan and Tucker led to Adam Quigley firing to the net in the thirteenth minute giving them a two point advantage.

Over the next ten minutes, both teams strung positive passages of play together and with it the teams went score for score with a Bobby O’Connor point in the seventeenth minute which saw Nenagh respond through the boot of Adam Quigley after an assist by Harry Coughlan.

The response from Newport was three unanswered points, firstly through Healy from play followed by two O’Connor frees to edge in front.

However, Nenagh managed a fightback and with sound work by hard working defenders Alex Monko, Cian Ryan, and Anluan White, they organised a number of moves which led to David Mullarkey winning a 29th minute penalty which Harry O’Gorman tucked away to see the sky blues in front at the break, 2-2 to 0-6.

Ronan Quinn’s point after 32 seconds had Nenagh three clear. JJ Roche’s adventurous solo run won a free for Newport, but Bobby O’Connor’s shot was wide while a quick turn around by Nenagh saw Fionn Tucker increase his sides lead to four.

Newport needed a response, and they wasted no time as Bobby O’Connor was unlucky to see his next pair of frees come back off the upright.

But it was Newport who were about to take control of the game and their ability to win the opposition kickout thus winning the odd mark thanks to the fetching ability of Darragh Healy. Rhys Guiney and Ronan O’Mahony picked up the crumbs. The work-rate of the ever present James Ryan was another factor, and he was fouled in the square which yielded a penalty which Bobby O’Connor converted.

Nenagh hit back as Anluan White ventured forward and after linking up with David Mullarkey it was Kirsters Janitens providing space for Harry O’Gorman to score.

The excitement increased as Newport regrouped and James Ryan winning a free with O’Connor converting in the 41st minute. One minute later, Newport were level after Darragh Healy fired over a very good point.

With strong play by Tom McCabe and Jack Casey in defence, Newport continued to pressurise the Nenagh goal, but goalkeeper Daniel O’Leary saved at close range. A minute later, Eibhin Darcy cleared off the line before O’Connor moved the Mulcair youngsters in front with his sixth point.

Nenagh responded with Harry Coughlan and Mullarkey forcing a 45. The quick-thinking Cian Ryan sent the placed ball to Adam Quigley who equalised with twelve minutes remaining. Quigley was now his team’s top scorer with 1-2 but Nenagh would not score again until the 62nd minute, the workrate of Eoin O’Gorman, Noah Ryan Quinn and Jack Landers did not go un-noticed.

Meanwhile, the Newport attack moved with purpose and two points by Darragh Healy and James Ryan gave them breathing space on the hour.

Yet, Nenagh replied, Fionn Tucker, after a move involving Janitens and Coughlan, won a free converted by Cian Ryan from close range leaving the minimum between the teams.

Excitement levels increased. The next score counted, and it fell to Newport when scorer-in-chief Bobby O’Connor landed the clinching point.

Player of the Match: Bobby O’Connor (Newport)

Newport: Michael Coffey; James Egan, Rhys Guiney, Noah Ryan Quinn; Eoin O’Gorman, Tom McCabe, Jack Landers; Darragh Healy (0-4), Ronan O’Mahony; Andrew Coffey, Ryan Byrne, Jack Casey; James Ryan (0-1), Bobby O’Connor (1-7, 1-0 pen, 0-4f), JJ Roche.

Subs: Ben Maher for Roche (49); James Long for Byrne (55).

Nenagh Eire Og: Daniel O’Leary; Paraic Sheedy, Alex Monko, Harry Walsh; Eibhin Darcy, Anluan White, Cian Ryan; Harry Coughlan, Ronan Quinn (0-1); Harry Bailey, Adam Quigley (1-3), Kirsten’s Janitens; David Mullarkey (0-1f), Harry O’Gorman (1-1, 1-0 pen), Fionn Tucker (0-1).

Subs: Robert O’Brien for Bailey (49); Karl Boland for O’Gorman (50).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess).