Kiladangan back in Junior decider after win over Moycarkey

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Kiladangan 1-17

Moycarkey/Borris 1-12

Report: Liam Hogan at St Flannan’s Park, Moneygall

A solid opening half plus a good finish was enough to see North champions Kiladangan through another County Junior ‘A’ Hurling final after they defeated Moycarkey/Borris in an entertaining semi-final on Saturday.

Similar to the weather conditions, Kiladangan’s crisp and clear hurling methods meant they were deserving winners.

A good spell midway through the first half meant they led 1-9 to 0-8 half time lead, a lead that increased to seven by the 35th minute. However, they had their low moments and with the help of a Darren Flood penalty, Moycarkey had come within three approaching full time before two DJ McGrath injury time points put the game to bed for last years defeated finalists

McGrath led the way for a Kiladangan forward line that created much going forward as Darren Moran, Eoghan Sharkey, and Shane Gleeson probed and prodded the Moycarkey defence.

Both Johnny Horan and John McGrath manned the midfield berth fairly well while the winners defence were always solid with Matthew Cleary, Ronan Ducie, Diarmuid Fogarty, and Stephen Mulvihill very calm on the ball.

Mulvihill very prominent all through and was man of the match with his save on an effort by Kyle O’Regan, close to the Kiladangan goal, proving to be very important at a stage when Moycarkey were in the throes of a comeback.

Kiladangan began brightly as two frees by Shane Gleeson either side of an Eoghan Sharkey point from play saw the North champions 0-3 to 0-1 in front after five minutes. After a reply from Joe Doran the margin was out to two by the eighth minute after captain Darren Moran scored.

The brisk scoring continued, and with good defensive work by Chris McCullagh and Kevin Moran at half back, Moycarkey managed to come level at 0-4 each through Kevin O’Regan from play and Diarmuid Maher from a free after twelve minutes. However, Kiladangan had much more to offer by way of attack and it was rewarded with two Gleeson frees in as many minutes before Diarmuid Maher replied in kind on seventeen minutes.

Kiladangan came again and they almost scored a goal but DJ McGrath was denied by Conor Hayes in the Moycarkey goal. Their next attack was much more profitable. Stephen Mulvihill’s clearance reached Johnny Horan who went forward, linked up with DJ McGrath before James O’Meara raced clear to find the Moycarkey net. Further scores by McGrath and Shane Gleeson (free) had Kiladangan six in front, six minutes shy of the interval.

Moycarkey replied with three unanswered points through Kevin O’Regan, Diarmuid Maher, and Darren Flood. A three point deficit looked more respectable for Moycarkey but the reliable Shane Gleeson finished the half with his sixth from a placed ball to see Kiladangan 1-9 to 0-8 in front at half time. Kiladangan had recorded six wides with Moycarkey hitting three.

The second half had more Kiladangan success as points by Shane Gleeson (free), DJ McGrath, and Johnny McGrath moved the North champions seven clear.

Moycarkey needed some solace but their next close range free was butchered by Diarmuid Maher, who chose to go short but nothing accrued. A scoring chance spurned.

Six minutes went by before Joe Doran scored for Moycarkey and two minutes later they had the deficit down to five after Maher pointed a free. A 65 by Shane Gleeson was direct and true in the 47th minute and sixty seconds later he scored a fine point on the run.

Two Moycarkey points, the first by Diarmuid Maher from a free in the 53rd minute aided by a successful 65 by Darren Flood had the margin down to five. Play continued as Moycarkey tried to breach the close knit Kiladangan defence and they eventually found an avenue but JJ Darmody was hauled down for a penalty. Up stepped Darren Flood who gave Eoin Meagher no chance.

Another goal perhaps might bring extra time but Kiladangan re-grouped and DJ McGrath prospered with two late points, the second one kicked over the bar as Kiladangan had held on to a place in the final where they will meet either Holycross/Ballycahill or Nenagh Eire Og.

Player of the Match: Stephen Mulvihill (Kiladangan)

Kiladangan: Eoin Meagher (7); Stephen Mulvihill (8), Shane Seymour (6), Diarmuid Fogarty (7); Darragh Ryan (6), Matthew Cleary (7), Ronan Ducie (7); Johnny McGrath (0-1, 7), Johnny Horan (7); Darren Moran (0-1, 7), DJ McGrath (0-4, 8), Eoghan Sharkey (0-1, 7); James O’Meara (1-0, 6), Shane Gleeson (0-10, 8f, 1’65) 7), Jos Slattery (6).

Subs: Jack McGrath (7) for Seymour (27); Ruairi Gleeson (6) for O’Meara (39); Bill Cleary (6) for Slattery (44); Gavin McGrath (6) for Ryan (55); Martin Minehan (6) for J McGrath (59).

Moycarkey/Borris: Conor Hayes (7); Bill Maher (7), Rory Ryan (7), David O’Donnell (7); Kyle Ryan (7), Chris McCullagh (7), Kevin Moran (7); Niall Heffernan (7), Kevin O’Regan (0-3, 7); John Bergin (6), Joe Doran (0-2, 7), Diarmuid Maher (0-5f, 6); Mark Heffernan (6), Darren Flood (1-2, 1-0 pen, 0-1’65) 6), JJ Darmody (6).

Subs: Liam Hayes (6) for R Ryan (44); Brendan Looby (6) for Bergin (48); Cillian Doran (6) for D Maher (53); Dan Hayes (6) for K Ryan (60).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess).