Upperchurch goal touch downs Kiladangan

GAA: Tipperary Coiste na nOg Minor (Under 17) ‘B’ Football Final

Upperchurch/Drombane 4-11

Kiladangan 0-7

Report: Liam Hogan in Cappawhite

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Philip O’Dwyer (Upperchurch/Drombane)

SCORERS – Upperchurch/Drombane: Jamesie Gildea 2-0; Philip O’Dwyer 0-4; James Woodlock 1-1; Liam Ryan 1-0; Sean Griffin, Paidi Ryan 0-2 each; Shane Lee, Johnny Whelan 0-1 each.

Kiladangan: Simon Cleary 0-3 (1 free); Rory Gavin 0-2; James O’Dwyer, Riain McGrath 0-1 each.

History was made last Friday night as Upperchurch/Drombane won the last Under 17 Football final with even age grades returning next year, in a fairly one-sided County ‘B’ final when defeating Kiladangan under lights in a splendidly prepared Cappawhite grounds.

The winners may have conceded the first score, a point by James O’Dwyer, but overall they were much too good for the North champions.

Two first half goals in twelve minutes, put daylight between the teams and as the game developed everyone knew where the title was going.

Upperchurch led 2-8 to 0-4 at half time and were 4-10 to 0-7 in front by the 40th minute with man of the match Philip O’Dwyer raising the last white flag in the 59th minute.

O’Dwyer showed great class with his ballerina feet, dazzling solo runs and accurate kick passing and he finished up with four points from play to make a big difference.

But it was far from a one man show as midfielders Sean Griffin and Paddy Ryan had total dominance while James Woodlock did what he had to do at centre back in line with a very solid defence.

For Kiladangan, Rory Gavin never gave up at midfield and fought to the bitter end had the audacity to score the only two-pointer in the game in the 39th minute. Callum Ryan and Riain McGrath worked hard in the spine of an overworked defence in front of Jack Fogarty in goal who showed he had a safe pair of hands. Simon Cleary led the way up front.

Both sides had plenty possession in the opening minutes before James O’Dwyer opened the scoring with a point in the fourth minute.

One minute later, Upperchurch/Drombane were in front when James Woodlock vacated his defensive duties before finishing up in attack when an assist by Philip O’Dwyer helped the number six to score a great goal.

A quick response by Kiladangan saw points by Riain McGrath and a Simon Cleary free brought the scores level. Philip O’Dwyer had Upperchurch ahead with a free but Simon Cleary levelled with a similar score after thirteen minutes.

Over the next four minutes the game was won and lost with the Mid champions scoring 1-2 without reply. The sequence began with points by James Woodlock and Sean Griffin before they had a second goal following an overhead flick by Liam Ryan on the edge of the small square.

Three minutes later, more pressure by Upperchurch had Kiladangan goalkeeper Jack Fogarty saving well before Sean Griffin fisted the ball over the bar.

Four more points by Paddy Ryan (2), Philip O’Dwyer and Shane Lee had Upperchurch well out of sight as the teams went to a warm dressing room for the break with the ‘Church leading 2-8 to 0-4.

Simon Cleary restored hope for the blue & golders with a 33rd minute point but there was no stopping Upperchurch as further points by Johnny Whelan and Philip O’Dwyer had the Mid champions eleven points in front.

There was more to come with Upperchurch finding the net for the third time when Jamesie Gildea availed of space to score.

Rory Gavin’s two-pointer raised a small cheer but Kiladangan needed more of them, however Upperchurch were thirsty for more and Gildea had his second goal making it 4-10 to 0-7.

The final twenty minutes produced much endeavour but both defences holding sway.

The introduction of subs made play very much a stop start as neither team could change the scoreboard until Philip O’Dwyer landed a great score one minute from time full knowledge that the black & amber were going to be county champions.

TEAMS – Upperchurch/Drombane: Oisin Cooke; Paul Brett, Paidi Ryan, John Quinlan; Sean Griffin, James Woodlock, Shane Lee; Sean Griffin, Paddy Ryan; Liam Ryan, Philip O’Dwyer (Capt), Oisin Kerwick; Jamesie Gildea, Johnny Whelan, Jack Harrington.

Subs: Cormac Ryan for Quinlan (HT); Paul Kennedy for Brett (45); Jack Mockler for Griffin (45-52); Jack Mockler for Kerwick (52); Diarmuid Ryan for Harrington (54).

Kiladangan: Jack Fogarty; Eoin Dervan, Callum Ryan (Capt), Ruairi Hackett; Noah Ducie, Rory Gavin, Avi Aharon; Riain McGrath, Donagh Carmody; Tom Boland, Simon Cleary, Daniel Boland; James O’Dwyer, JP Flannery, Cian Kinsella.

Subs: William Slattery for Kinsella (45); Dan Connolly for Flannery (45); Matthew Ryan for D Boland (45).

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow).