North Tipperary GAA Affairs
By Michael Quinn PRO
The Watch Centre Junior 'A' Hurling Championship: The semi-finals took place last Friday evening.
Nenagh Éire Óg secured a dramatic victory over Toomevara in Roscrea in a clash that went all the way to extra time.
Toomevara, with the strong wind in the first half, led 0-18 to 1-7 at half-time. Cian O’Farrell’s early goal in the ninth minute had given Nenagh Éire Óg a 1-5 to 0-6 lead, but Toomevara took control for the remainder of the half to establish a commanding advantage.
In the second half, Nenagh Éire Óg steadily chipped away at the deficit. Filip McIntyre’s goal in the 58th minute put Éire Óg into a two-point lead, but dramatic scenes followed when Mikie Delaney responded with a goal for Toomevara in the 63rd minute to reclaim the lead. Seven minutes into injury time, Niall Madden converted a crucial free, levelling the scores at 2-18 to 1-21 and sending the game into extra time.
Extra time saw Nenagh Éire Óg take control. Filip McIntyre added his second goal four minutes in, giving his side a decisive lead. By the half-time whistle, Éire Óg were ahead 3-21 to 1-24, and they held out to secure a five-point victory - 3-27 to 1-28.
Kiladangan secured a 1-25 to 1-16 victory over a gallant Kilruane MacDonaghs side in Toomevara, booking their place in the decider.
Kilruane got off to the better start, leading 0-5 to 0-2 after ten minutes. However, Kiladangan hit five points without reply to get themselves back into the game and never looked back. Kiladangan held onto the lead for the remainder of the first half, going in at the break 0-15 to 0-10 ahead.
Kilruane’s Michael Hennelly struck a well-finished goal shortly after the restart in the 35th minute, reducing Kiladangan’s lead to four. Kiladangan responded immediately and kept their opponents at arm’s length throughout the second half. The win was finally sealed five minutes from time when Darren Moran finished a fine goal, capping off a strong team performance.
The Final between Nenagh Eire Og and Kiladangan will take place on Saturday, 13th September at 5.00pm in Borrisoleigh.
The Watch Centre Junior 'B' Hurling Championship: The quarter finals took place last Wednesday, 27th August.
Silvermines secured a 2-19 to 3-10 victory over Kilruane MacDonaghs in Dolla.
The first half ended with Silvermines leading 2-11 to 3-4. Dan Ryan opened the scoring for Silvermines with a crucial goal, while points came from a number of contributors. Ronan Cunneen and Orrie Quirke were particularly prominent, adding significantly to their team’s tally.
In the second half, Silvermines extended their lead through a series of points from across the team. Kilruane MacDonaghs added scores of their own, but were unable to close the gap, with Silvermines holding out for a comfortable six-point victory.
Knockshegowna advanced to the semi-finals after a hard-fought win over Lorrha, 1-16 to 1-13 in Tony Reddin Park.
From the very start, it was a ding-dong affair with no more than a point separating the teams. An opportunist goal mid-way through the first half from Niall O’Lone put Knockshe in the lead for the first time. Lorrha fought back and went in at half-time leading 1-8 to 1-7.
In the second half, Michael Egan restored order for Knockshe with six frees and an excellent sideline score midway through the half. In defence, Matthew Costello delivered a man-of-the-match performance, with Graham and Michael Gohery also playing key roles.
Ballina secured a 4-16 to 4-10 victory over their neighbours Portroe in a lively clash in Ballina. The winners were on top throughout, leading 2-10 to 2-4 at half-time and maintaining their advantage in the second half to run out six-point victors.
Newport and Moneygall finished level in a dramatic contest, with the full-time score 1-15 to 0-18.
Moneygall should have been further ahead early on but had several wides. Their half-back line were dominant, surging forward and contributing several first-half points. Dylan Maher was outstanding for Moneygall, picking off five points from play throughout the game as his side went into the break leading 0-13 to 0-7, assisted by the wind and strong team play.
Newport mounted a strong second-half fightback, led by a rejuvenated display from their forwards, scoring 1-6 without reply in the opening quarter. The Newport goal came from Jack Delahunty, who tapped home a rebound, while their free-taking, particularly from Jack McCarthy, kept them firmly in the contest.
Moneygall responded over the next five minutes with three points, including two from Dylan Maher frees. The final ten minutes saw a tit-for-tat exchange, with Moneygall holding a narrow one-point lead at 60 minutes. A Jack McCarthy free in added time secured the draw for Newport, with extra time not played.
The replay will take place in Newport on Sunday, 14th September at 12 noon.
The semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 20th /Sunday 21st September. The Final is fixed for Sunday, 5th October.
Ger Gavin Furniture Under 19 'A' Hurling Championship: Congratulations to Borris-Ileigh who claimed the North Under 19 'A' Hurling title last Sunday in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh after a 0-24 to 0-19 extra time victory over Kilruane MacDonaghs. Borris-Ileigh captain Razuk Atik accepted the Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan Memorial Cup after the game.
Ger Gavin Furniture Under 19 'B' Hurling Championship: Congratulations to Moneygall/Clonakenny who claimed the North Under 19 'B' Hurling title last Sunday in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh after a 1-22 to 3-12 victory over Burgess. Moneygall Clonakenny captain Cian Ryan accepted the Corn Uí Niallain Cup after the game.
Premier Junior Football: Borrisokane secured victory over Kiladangan last Sunday in Ballingarry in a game that doubled as both the Premier Junior North Final and the second round of the County Championship - Final Score: Borrisokane 1-16 Kiladangan 1-5. See match report. Mike Kelly was the victorious Borrisokane captain.