Divisional Football successes for Newport and Silvermines

GAA: North Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under 14 Football Finals

‘A’ FINAL

Newport 4-8 Ballinahinch/Templederry 1-5

Report: Liam Hogan at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

Newport were much too good for near neighbours Ballinahinch/Templederry in a well fought North Tipperary Under 14 ‘A’ Football final on Thursday.

Except for an eight minute spell in the opening minutes of the second half it was all Newport who could have won by a much greater margin only for a number of great saves from Ballinahinch/Templederry goalkeeper James McLoughney.

In the end Newport had won their first North U14 ‘A’ since 1998 (their third) back to back if you like, a year after claiming a North U15 ‘A’ title.

Both sides had an equal share of possession in the opening minutes but Newport made most of their chances and were four points in front by the ninth minute.

Ballinahinch/Templederry owed much to midfielder James Ryan who was relentless going on his amazing solo runs but nothing accrued until he pointed two close range frees in the 12th & 13th minutes.

Newport’s ability to forge chances continued with Darragh McLoughlin’s magic left foot creating danger and in the 15th minute and his latest creation had Jim O’Mahony through for the game’s opening goal.

Two minutes later, McLoughlin sent Michael Og Coffey through for Newport’s second goal. Ronan Toohey added a point in the 17th minute to make it 2-5 to 0-2.

It may have been the last score of the half but there was plenty drama approaching the interval as Newport lost Cathal O’Meara to a red card after a high tackle on Killian Browne. The dismissal seemed harsh because the incident was completely accidental. Then referees are under pressure to act on head high tackles.

The second half began with Ballinahinch/Templederry on the front foot. James Ryan slip-slided past a beleaguered Newport defence to kick home a goal in the third minute. There was more as points by Benji Browne, Colin McBride and Ben Healy made it a real contest.

But Newport regrouped. Robert Long hit the lower region of the upright as the purple and gold continued to bombast the combo goal and would have increased their lead but for two great saves by James McLoughney.

Their productive work eventually paid off as Darragh Harrington scored Newport’s third goal in the 18th minute. Two minutes later, he was again on hand to score a goal from a penalty which was the last score of the game.

Newport: Olly Moloney; Sean Coffey, Cian Earle, Cathal Grimes; Will Brassill, Hughie Duggan, Cathal O’Meara; Robert Long (0-1), Darragh McLoughlin; Tadgh Malone (0-2), Colin McBride (0-2), Ronan Toohey (0-1); Jim O’Mahony (1-0), Darragh Harrington (2-2, 1-0 pen), Michael Og Coffey (1-0).

Subs: Ethan Daly for McLoughlin (44); Luke Healy for Malone (47); Darragh Hogan for Grimes (47); Oliver Wrobleewski for Og Coffey (47); Matt O’Leary for Brassill (52); Rory Coleman for O’Mahony (52).

Ballinahinch/Templederry: James McLoughney; John O’Gorman, Aidan Lynch, Eanna Murray; Danny Crosse, Davy Lee, Keaton Bond; Benji Browne (0-1), James Ryan (1-3, 0-3f); Killian Browne, Ben Healy (0-1), Odhran O’Kelly; Tom Ryan, Jack McLoughney, Jake Lenihan.

Subs: Ruairi Moroney for T Ryan (HT); Cian Cronin for Lenihan (43); Gearoid Bridgeman for Bond (47).

Referee: Rory Kennedy (Silvermines).

‘B’ Final

Silvermines 3-4 Kiladangan 2-6

Report: Liam Hogan in Shallee

A spectacular comeback helped Silvermines win back the North Tipperary Under 14 ‘B’ Football for the first time since 1987 following a one point win over Kiladangan in an exciting final last Wednesday.

Having trailed by eight points with sixteen minutes gone in the second half, Silvermines scored 2-3 without reply needing a winning point by Fionn Harrington to seal victory much to the delight of the ‘Mines following.

Kiladangan played with the wind and the hill in the first half and were deserving of their three point lead after ten minutes with points from Liam White, Stephen Byrne and Joe Finch. White excelled as the centre back showed complete control with many searing solo runs through the Silvermines defence.

Silvermines had their moments but kicked three wides in the same period before they were back level thanks to a goal by Archie Walsh in the 15th minute.

However, more Kiladangan pressure might have yielded more but Silvermines keeper Conor McManus made two vital saves and the upright came to their rescue before Kiladangan increased their lead with two with white flags by Jim Cullinane ensuring a two point advantage at half time.

There was more coming from Kiladangan with substitute Joseph Hough scoring a goal just eighteen seconds after the restart.

Silvermines hit back with a point by Liam Treacy from a close range free but Stephen Byrne had the ‘Dangan five clear with a free before the lead increased to eight after a well-worked goal by Dylan Finch.

Things looked ominous for Silvermines but with strong work by Conor Fahy, Cormac O’Shaughnessy, and midfielder Fionn Ryan they set out to face the music as Archie Walsh scored a point in the 11th minute. Two minutes later, Fionn Harrington fired home a goal as he first timed to the net from ten metres.

Silvermines kept up the momentum and two minutes later they had goal number three when Conor Harrington got the vital touch.

The final minutes had Kiladangan responding but the ‘Mines defence were in control and in a tearaway run from defence to attack, it was Conor Harrington who levelled matters, six minutes from time.

The trend continued and two minutes from time, up stepped Fionn Harrington with the winner.

Silvermines: Conor McManus; Danny O’ Brien, Darren McKeogh, Ronan Hegarty; Eoin Hanrahan, Conor Fahy, Cormac O’Shaughnessy; Jim stone, Fionn Ryan; Daniel Sherlock, Archie Walsh (1-1), Fionn Harrington (1-1); Liam Treacy (0-1), Conor Harrington (1-1), James Timmons.

Sub: Conan Kelly for Timmons (HT).

Kiladangan: Luhan Kruger; Tom Kelly, Jack Fitzgerald, James Hunt; Cathal Carmody, Liam Whyte (0-1), Darragh McInerney; Jim Cullinane (0-2), Gearoid White; George Stanley, Liam Kelly, Stephen Byrne (0-2, 1f); Joe Finch (0-1), Ben Whelan, Conor Lynch.

Subs: Dylan Finch (1-0) for McInerney (HT); Joe Hough (1-0) for C Lynch (HT); Daragh Gavin for Stanley (53).

Referee: Shane Lee (Roscrea).