Debutante Doughan inspires Moneygall to ‘Mines victory

GAA: Munster Solar North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Moneygall 1-23

Silvermines 3-13

Report: Shane Brophy at St Michael’s Park, Toomevara

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall)

SCORERS – Moneygall: Eoghan Doughan 1-12 (0-7 frees); Adam Hogan 0-3 (2 frees); Sean Kenneally, Sean Fogarty, Bob Kenny 0-2 each; Cian Ryan, Tadgh Whyte 0-1 each.

Silvermines: Jason Forde 2-7 (2-5 frees, 0-1 s-cut); Danny Quinn 1-1; Darragh McKelvey, Luke O’Brien, Brian Seymour, Oisin Murphy, Conor McKelvey (free) 0-1 each.

Moneygall made a winning bow in the premier intermediate grade with a strong second half performance to get past Silvermines in the North Championship quarter-final on Saturday evening.

Trailing 1-8 to 0-9 at half time, they had already turned the game in their favour with the first five points of the second half before Silvermines were reduced to fourteen men when experienced defender Ronan Sherlock was sent off for a high tackle on Aodhan Ryan.

Already a cagey affair with both sides operating a plus-one in defence with Brendan Toohey and Jason Forde filling the role for their respective sides, the ‘Mines had no choice but to go for broke and push their Tipp star into his favoured forward role, and it almost paid off as he and Danny Quinn posed problems, with no fewer than four Moneygall defenders ending up with yellow cards; Forde converting two of three 21-yard frees into goals to cut a ten-point deficit back to three.

They had one last chance to force extra time, but Moneygall won the final puckout with Sean Kenneally being fouled and Eoghan Doughan completed a dream adult debut with a seventh converted free, bringing his tally to 1-12 for the game.

Last years All-Ireland winning minor forward is eligible for the adult grade this year and adds to Moneygall’s attacking riches to such an extent that captain Paddy Fogarty and Bob Kenny started from the bench, both coming on and making an impact.

The first half was a tight affair, both sides cognisant of eachother’s attacking threat with a sweeper put into operation. Jason Forde started at full forward but inside ten minutes was withdrawn to a sweeper role after Tipp colleague Sean Kenneally was getting the upper hand on Darragh Nolan who picked up an early yellow card.

Points from Oisin Murphy and a Forde free brought the ‘Mines back on terms before Darragh McKelvey burst forward for their first lead. Eoghan Doughan converted his first free on ten minutes, but Silvermines were on the front foot and points from Conor McKelvey and Brian Seymour pushed them two clear before Doughan responded with a second free after Kenneally was fouled once more.

Silvermines struck for the first goal of the game on the quarter hour when a long diagonal ball was caught by Danny Quinn who turned his man and finished clinically.

However, the ‘Mines indiscipline in defence allowed Moneygall to keep the scoreboard ticking over with Adam Ryan and Doughan (2) converting frees with Doughan also adding his first from play. However, two points from Forde, including a trademark side-line cut, and one from Luke O’Brien saw Silvermines to a two point lead at half time.

Moneygall upped a gear at the start of the second half and almost goaled inside a minute when an attempted clearance by Silvermines goalkeeper Conor Murphy was blocked by Tadgh Whyte, who, with the goal gaping, got too much purchase on his shot as it flew over the bar.

However, points followed from the industrious Cian Ryan, Doughan, and Sean Fogarty to go into a two point lead before Silvermines were reduced to fourteen men on 36 minutes. Doughan converted the resulting free with Kenneally and sub Bob Kenny also on target before Jason Forde got Silvermines first point of the half on 43 minutes.

Now in attack, Moneygall started to panic anytime he got on the ball, playing in Danny Quinn for a point before the latter was fouled for Forde to convert for the margin to come back to two.

However, in the next five minutes, Moneygall took the game away from their opponents with a 1-4 burst, the goal coming from Doughan, after being played in by Joe Fogarty.

To their credit, Silvermines kept going to the end, and when you have a player as proficient as Jason Forde is from close range frees, anything is possible, but it wasn’t to be as Moneygall progressed to the semi-final and a clash with Burgess played last evening (Tuesday) as was the second semi-final between Ballina and Templederry Kenyons. No results at the time of going to press, so go online to www.nenaghguardian.ie for reports.

TEAMS – Moneygall: Mark Fanning (6); Shay Gleeson (7), Andy Hoolan (7), Roddy Teehan (6); Cathal Greene (7), Brendan Toohey (7), Jack Kirwan (7); Adam Hogan (7), Aodhan Ryan (6); Cian Ryan (7), Sean Fogarty (6), Joe Fogarty (6); Eoghan Doughan (9), Tadgh Whyte (6), Sean Kenneally (7).

Subs: Bob Kenny for Aodhan Ryan (36-41 blood); Bob Kenny (7) for Whyte (41); Paddy Fogarty (Capt 6) for C Ryan (50).

Silvermines: Conor Murphy (6); Darragh Nolan (5), Ronan Sherlock (5), Sean McGrath (6); Luke O’Brien (7), Darragh Treacy (7), Darragh McKelvey (6); Oisin Murphy (7), Cynan Bailey (6); Sean Nolan (6), Brian Seymour (7), Conor McKelvey (Capt 6); Cathal Treacy (6), Jason Forde (8), Danny Quinn (8).

Subs: Adam Steed for Sherlock (9-11 blood); Adam Steed (7) for D Nolan (HT); Patrick Leamy (6) for Bailey (45); Noel Quirke (NR) for McGrath (60 inj).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess).