North Tipperary GAA Affairs
By Michael Quinn PRO
The Watch Centre Junior 'A' Hurling Championship: Round 7 took place last Friday.
Nenagh Eire Og finish top of the group after defeating Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-24 to 3-16 in Puckane.
This was a finely balanced contest in the opening half with the sides level on several occasions, before Eire Og hit the last four points to take a 1-14 to 1-10 advantage into the break.
Eire Og pushed on early in the second half, stretching the margin to eight points, but MacDonaghs kept battling. Michael Hennelly’s first-half goal was followed after the restart by a well-taken Kevin Naughnane penalty, before Eoin Carroll struck a third in the 54th minute to set up a tense finish. Despite that late surge, Eire Og greater scoring spread saw them over the line, with MacDonaghs closing the gap to just two points at the final whistle.
Kiladangan finish in second place after a 4-18 to 1-18 victory over Toomevara in Shalee. Kiladangan made a brilliant start, with Jos Slattery hitting 1-5 inside the opening quarter. They remained on top for much of the first half, though a Bob Delaney goal in the 25th minute gave Toomevara a boost before half time (1-15 to 1-6 in Kiladangan's favour at half time).
Toomevara began the second half strongly and reduced the margin to six points, but a well-finished Shane Gleeson goal in the 40th minute helped Kiladangan steady themselves. Toome responded with four points on the trot, only for Kiladangan to strike again when Diarmaid Fogarty found the net in the 48th minute to effectively kill off the Toome challenge. Gleeson added his second goal on 55 minutes as Kiladangan saw out a comfortable victory, thanks in no small part to the heroics of goalkeeper Eoin Meagher, who pulled off a number of top-class saves to ensure the result never slipped away.
Borris-Ileigh ran out six-point winners over Roscrea 0-20 to 0-14 in Toomevara. The game took time to settle, with the sides level at two points apiece after eleven minutes. Borris gradually found their rhythm, steadying through placed balls, though both teams were guilty of wayward shooting. Roscrea edged the interval lead, 0-9 to 0-8.
The second half began evenly, and the sides were still locked at 0-11 each by the 40th minute, but from there Borris took control. Jack Fitzgerald was prominent during a strong purple patch, while Micheál Carey kept the scoreboard ticking over from placed balls and long-range efforts. Leading 0-16 to 0-12 after 50 minutes, Borris pushed on as Roscrea’s wide count mounted, finishing stronger to claim a deserved victory.
Toomevara v Borris-Ileigh will be the final game of the group stages, with the winner securing fourth place and a spot in the semi-finals. This game takes place on Monday, 25th August at 6:30pm in Toomevara.
The semi-finals will be played on Friday, 29th August where Nenagh Éire Óg will face either Toomevara or Borris-Ileigh, while Kiladangan will meet Kilruane MacDonaghs.
The Watch Centre Junior 'B' Hurling Championship
Group 1: Silvermines ran out 2-15 to 1-7 winners over Knockshegowna last Saturday in Dolla.
The first half was tightly contested, with both sides level at 0-6 to 1-3 at half time.
In the second half, Silvermines took control, with Eamon Corcoran and Willie Keogh finding the net to open a decisive lead. Despite Knockshegowna’s efforts to stay in touch, Silvermines’ strong finish, supported by accurate point-scoring from David Shanahan, Brian Leamy and Tiernan Flynn secured a comfortable victory.
Group 2: Lorrha confirmed their place in the quarter finals after a comfortable 2-20 to 0-10 at home to Templederry Kenyons last Saturday evening.
The final game in the group sees Kilruane MacDonaghs host Toomevara at 12 noon on Sunday, 24th August - Kilruane will need a victory to secure second place and a quarter final spot whilst a draw will be enough for Toomevara to advance.
Group 3: Moneygall ran out 1-19 to 0-11 winners over Burgess in Kilcolman last Saturday. Moneygall dominated the first half to lead 1-12 to 0-4 at the break, with Tom Teehan’s 1-1, alongside strong contributions from Ger Kirwan and Conor Quinlan, setting the tone. Burgess came out stronger after halftime, rattling off a series of points, but Moneygall were boosted by Kevin McCormack’s penalty save and James Doughan’s accuracy from placed balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Both sides added seven points apiece in the second half, with Moneygall running out comfortable winners.
Portroe ran out 2-21 to 3-11 winners over Borrisokane on Sunday. Borrisokane led 2-7 to 0-9 at halftime, but Portroe dominated the second half, outscoring their opponents 2-12 to 1-4 to secure a strong victory.
Moneygall finish top of the group and will be joined in the quarter finals by Portroe, who progress ahead of Burgess and Kiladangan on score difference.
Ger Gavin Furniture Under 19 'A' Hurling Championship: The group stages concluded last Wednesday.
Group 1: Roscrea secured top spot after a 0-23 to 2-15 victory over Newport whilst Silvermines ran out 2-20 to 2-16 winners over Ballina. The ‘Mines started strongly with an early goal from Ronan Cunneen, but Ballina kept up the pressure and led 1-12 to 1-10 at halftime. In the second half, Ballina extended their lead with a goal, but Silvermines fought back, with Eoin Grace levelling the scores at 2-16 each in the 53rd minute. Silvermines then added the final four points to secure a hard-fought victory.
Borris-Ileigh ran out 1-20 to 1-18 winners over Kilruane MacDonaghs. Jack Bevans was the standout forward, supported by Patrick Ryan and Tom Delaney from frees, as Borris led 0-9 to 0-5 at halftime. Kilruane responded immediately in the second half with a goal from Michael Cleary in the 32nd minute and quickly equalised. Borris regained momentum in the third quarter with Bevans and Shane Ryan prominent, highlighted by a Patrick Ryan goal assisted by Michael Ryan, at one stage leading by five points. Kilruane pressed hard in the closing stages but could not find an equaliser, with Borris running out deserved winners.
The second game between Toomevara and Nenagh Eire Og didn't go ahead with the referee not turning up.
The semi-finals will take place this Wednesday, 20th August with both games throwing in at 6.30pm - tap and go entry at the gate for both games: Borris-Ileigh v Silvermines in Borrisoleigh; Roscrea v Kilruane MacDonaghs in Roscrea
Ger Gavin Furniture Under 19 'B' Hurling Championship
Group 1: Kiladangan top Group 1 after receiving a walkover from Borrisokane. Burgess will join Kiladangan in the semi-finals after they had an exciting 1-27 to 5-13 victory over Lorrha Rovers.
Lorrha Rovers started brightly with an early goal and quickly added two more to lead 3-9 to 0-12 at halftime. Burgess hit the opening six points of the second half to draw level within seven minutes, but Lorrha Rovers responded with a fourth goal three minutes later. The game remained score-for-score until the 57th minute when David Nealon and Mikey Ryan combined for Nealon to score a key goal. Points followed from Diarmuid O'Donoghue and Paul Cahalan, with Lorrha Rovers managing a final goal in the last play of the game.
Group 2: Ballinahinch/Templederry top Group 2 after they had a 2-15 to 1-13 victory over Portroe last Wednesday in Templederry. They will be joined in the semi-finals by Moneygall/Clonakenny who were awarded their fixture against Portroe.
The semi-finals will take place this Wednesday, 20th August with both games throwing in at 6.30pm - tap and go entry at the gate for both games: Ballinahinch/Templederry v Burgess in Templederry; Kiladangan v Moneygall/Clonakenny in Puckane.