North Tipperary GAA Affairs
By Michael Quinn PRO
Junior ‘C’ Hurling Championship: The semi-finals took place last Sunday with both games proving to be thrilling encounters.
Silvermines edged out neighbours Ballinahinch 2-13 to 1-15 in Dolla.
Ballinahinch started strongly and held a 1-8 to 0-6 lead at half-time, but Silvermines battled back with key points from Ronan Clifford, John Ryan, Sean Spillane, and David Boland. The second half brought plenty of drama, with goals from Billy Shanahan and Sean Quinlan—the latter coming from a long-range free that was flicked home by Will Power. Despite Ballinahinch’s late surge, Silvermines held firm to secure a well-deserved win.
The second semi-final went all the way to extra time, with Ballina emerging victorious over Borris-Ileigh 2-18 to 1-17.
Ballina led 1-9 to 0-8 at half-time in normal time, but Borris battled back in the second half with the sides finishing level 1-13 to 0-16. In extra time, Ballina dominated the first period, keeping Borris scoreless while adding 1-3 to lead 2-16 to 0-16. Borris responded with a goal in the second half of extra time, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit. Kevin Cosgrove and Thomas McGrath were the Ballina goal scorers.
In a repeat of last year’s decider, Ballina will face Silvermines in the final, which takes place this Saturday at 3:00pm in Templederry.
Ballina came out on top last year with a 0-20 to 2-9 victory over the Mines, while Silvermines lifted the title in 2023 after defeating Kilruane MacDonaghs. There’s expected to be little between the sides this weekend, with the winner set to claim the O’Keeffe Cup.
Under 21 'A' Hurling Championship: begins this Sunday, 19th October. Both games throw in at 12 noon, with Ballina hosting Borris-Ileigh in Group 1, while in Group 2, Roscrea host Toomevara. Nenagh Éire Óg (Group 1) and Silvermines (Group 2) have the Round 1 byes.
Under 21 'B' Hurling Championship: commences this Sunday, 19th October, with both games throwing in at 12 noon. In Group 2, Kilruane MacDonaghs face Ballinahinch/Templederry in Cloughjordan, while in Group 3, Newport host Lorrha Rovers. The Group 1 fixture between Burgess and Moneygall/Clonakenny has been rescheduled for Sunday, 2nd November.
Under 15: Well done to Newport (Under 15 C) and Toomevara (Under 15 D), who were victorious in their respective County Hurling Finals last weekend.
Best of luck to Toomevara and Burgess in their upcoming County Finals this weekend. Toomevara face Moycarkey Borris in the Under 15 ‘A’ Final on Saturday at 2:00pm in Templemore, while on Sunday, Burgess take on Ballybacon/Grange in Cappawhite at 1:00pm.