Late Gaels salvo sinks Knockshe in league final

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Hurling League Division 6 Final

Thurles Gaels 1-18

Knockshegowna 1-15

Report: Liam Hogan at St Michael’s Park, Toomevara

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Anthony Cooney (Thurles Gaels).

SCORERS - Thurles Gaels: Alan Ryan 0-7 (3 frees, 1 ‘65); Anthony Cooney 0-4; Tom Reilly 1-0; David Fogarty, Jack Bryan 0-2 each; Dylan Cotter, Cian Bourke, Loarn O’Toole 0-1 each.

Knockshegowna: Michael Egan 0-6 (5 frees, 1 ‘65); Diarmuid Brennan 0-4; Eamon Murphy 1-0; Paul Kennedy 0-2; Richard King (free), Adam Stanley, Anthony Whelan 0-1 each.

Knockshegowna’s hopes of repeating their County Hurling League success of two years came unstuck in the final minutes asThurles Gaels won the Division 6 League title on Sunday afternoon.

The concession of 1-1 inside sixty seconds was the difference and despite Knockshe having much of the play in those final minutes including three of added time but the Thurles Gaels defence stood firm to claim their first league success.

Knockshe were the better team in the first twenty minutes and might have scored two more goals, but Thurles keeper Michael Bryan produced outstanding saves to deny them.

This was an exciting contest which produced some nice passages of play, littered with some fine long range striking. Scores were level ten times with never more than three points between the teams, a lead Knockshe held three times in the first twenty minutes.

The Northmen, who were hoping to repeat the success of 2023, led 0-4 to 0-1 after nine minutes with scores coming from goalkeeper Richard King (100m free), Diarmuid Brennan plus back-to-back points by midfielder Paul Kennedy.

Knockshe looked the better side with the half backline of Colin Browne, Graham Gohery and especially Eamon Browne clearing any danger that might arise.

However, bit by bit, Thurles Gaels began to find their rhythm with Anthony Cooney scoring two long range scores before Jack Bryan brought parity at 0-4 each after fifteen minutes.

One minute later, Knockshegowna wing forward Anthony Whelan had a shot well saved by Thurles keeper Michael Bryan before substitute Eamon Murphy found the back of the net from the rebound. Murphy had just replaced the injured Michael Cleary who absence was felt by Knockshe.

As play swung from end to end, the very improving Dylan Cotter scored for the Gaels. Michael Egan forced goalkeeper Michael Bryan to another good save with Diarmuid Brennan restoring Knockshe’s three point lead. Loarn O’Toole’s long range score left two between the teams but an Egan free had it 1-6 to 0-6 after nineteen minutes.

However, the next four minutes saw Thurles Gaels really come into their stride with three unanswered points in as many minutes from Alan Ryan (65) and play before David Fogarty scored from a difficult angle.

In the 25th minute Michael Egan restored Knockshe’s lead with a 65. Fogarty levelled for the Gaels before Diarmuid Brennan edged Knockshe in front. Alan Ryan (2 frees) and similar from Michael Egan levelled matters coming up to half time, Thurles Gaels 0-12 Knockshegowna 1-9.

The opening ten minutes of the second half saw the sides level three more times with Thurles Gaels taking the lead each time through Ryan (free), Jack Bryan and the excellent Anthony Cooney from midfield while the equally impressive Diarmuid Brennan plus two Egan frees kept Knockshe in touch each time.

The point for point trend continued, and in the 46th minute Knockshegowna regained the lead for the first time since before half time with Egan scoring his sixth and final point from a placed ball before Cian Bourke levelled two minutes later.

Diarmuid Brennan gave Knockshe the lead with his fourth point after fifty minutes, but scores were level a minute later after Alan Ryan scored his seventh point and third from play to make it 0-17 to 1-14.

Any score was now precious and seven minutes from time, Anthony Whelan scored a great point from out close to the sideline.

Would Thurles Gaels strike back? They did, and it was a goal by sub Tom Reilly after being played in by Alan Ryan. And when Conor Cooney’s point came seconds later there was no way back for Knockshe.

TEAMS - Thurles Gaels: Michael Bryan (7); Jordan Fahey (7), Paudie Fitzpatrick (7), Jamie Ferncombe (7); Curtis Ryan (7), Loarn O’Toole (7), Jamie Barry (7); Dylan Cotter (7), Anthony Cooney (Capt 8); Sam Cooney (6), David Fogarty (7), Jack Bryan (6); Cian Bourke (6), Alan Ryan (7), Darren Fahey (6).

Subs: Sean Sheedy (6) for S Cooney (40); Tom Reilly (7) for Fahey (52).

Knockshegowna: Richard King (7); Matthew Costello (7), Dan Smith (6), Michael Gohery (6); Colin Browne (7), Graham Gohery (7), Darren Browne (7); Adam Stanley (6), Paul Kennedy (6); Michael Cleary (6), Paul Lake (6), Anthony Whelan (6); Aaron King (6), Michael Egan (7), Diarmuid Brennan (8).

Subs: Eamon Murphy (6) for Cleary (13 inj); Neil O’Lone for Lake (27-31); Neil O’Lone (6) for A King (47).

Referee: PJ Nolan (Killea).