Three North clubs progress in Intermediate but Rovers exit

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 3 Round-up

By Liam Hogan

Victories for Portroe, Newport, and Borrisokane helped them progress to the knockout stages of the County Intermediate Hurling championship, however, Shannon Rovers missed out.

GROUP 1

Portroe 3-29 Clonoulty/Rossmore 0-8

A man of the match performance by Sam Madden helped North champions Portroe secure a place in the quarter finals following an easy win over Clonoulty/Rossmore at Lacken Park, Newport on Saturday afternoon.

With Kilsheelan/Kilcash defeating Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams in the other group game, victory for Portroe ensured outright second place.

Port began like lightning with Cian Ryan’s goal in the fifth minute plus points from Sam Madden (2) and John Sheedy (3) helping them race into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead by the ninth minute.

Clonoulty hit back with two points including one from Paddy Ryan’s penalty which was deflected over the bar by goalkeeper Kevin O’Halloran. On reaching half time: Portroe led 1-9 to 0-6.

Port held Clonoulty scoreless for the first 25 minutes of the second half as they pulled away helped by goals from Diarmuid Boyle and Conor O’Brien while Sam Madden and Mark Gennery added the points at every opportunity.

Portroe scorers: John Sheedy (7f); Sam Madden (1f) 0-8 each; Conor O’Brien 1-3; Mark Gennery 0-4; Cian Hogan 1-1; Robert Byrne 0-3; Diarmuid Boyle 1-0; Michael Creamer 0-2.

Clonoulty/Rossmore scorers: Odhran Quirke 0-3 (2f); Paul Hayes 0-2; Paddy Ryan (pen), Robert Ryan 0-1 each.

GROUP 2

Clonakenny 3-24 Shannon Rovers 2-19

Shannon Rovers bid for a place in the knockout stages came unstuck when losing to a more proficient Clonakenny side in Toomevara on Saturday evening.

Falling eleven points in arrears by the 16th minute, Rovers were in trouble with a Clonakenny attack looked like scoring goals with every opportunity as Michael John Carroll (2) and John Joe Ryan helped them to a 3-5 to 0-3 lead.

The second quarter proved to be a different story as Rovers began to reel in the Mid men. They missed three goal opportunities before Conal Moran’s goal from a penalty approaching half time left them in a better position at 3-7 to 1-9 at the break.

The second half began in unusual circumstances with proceedings starting with a close range free to the Rovers, converted by Conal Moran, following abuse to referee Ger Fitzpatrick at the end of the first half.

A second Moran goal in the 36th minute brought them closer and the sides were level two minutes later after Eamon Hough scored a point, 2-13 to 3-10.

However, Clonakenny hit back with four unanswered points through John Joe Ryan, the excellent Bobby Bergin, a Delacy Byrne free from distance before Cian O’Dwyer completed the sequence.

Rovers managed to cut the deficit to three again but when Bobby Bergin pointed again in the 50th minute, the margin was out to seven. Three unanswered points by Conal Moran gave Rovers slight hope but the last five minutes belonged to Clonakenny who raced on to win by eight.

Clonakenny scorers: Cian O’Dwyer 0-10 (7f); Michael John Carroll 2-2; Bobby Bergin 0-6; John Joe Ryan 1-1; Delacy Byrne 0-3f; Peadar Byrne, Nicky Ryan 0-1 each.

Shannon Rovers scorers: Conal Moran 2-11 (0-7f); Eamon Hough 0-3; Michael Tierney 0-2; Alan Hannigan, John O’Meara, Andy Byrne 0-1 each.

In the other Group 2 game Arravale Rovers were surprisingly beaten by Carrick Davins 5-16 to 0-27 at Clonmel Sportsfield but the game was a dead-rubber.

GROUP 3

Ballingarry and Cappawhite finished first and second following narrow victories last Sunday.

Ballingarry made it three wins on the trot thanks to a 1-19 to 1-15 win over Holycross/Ballycahill at Littleton. At the same time, Cappawhite had a narrow win over Skeheenarinky, 2-25 to 3-18 in Lattin.

Both winners made the quarter finals while third placed Skeheenarinky (South champions) will have a preliminary quarter final against Newport.

GROUP 4

Newport 1-20 Moyle Rovers 0-16

Newport secured the win they needed to make the knockout stages as they saw off Moyle Rovers in Templemore on Saturday.

In a winner takes all encounter, little separated the teams in the first half. Conor Floyd gave Newport the early lead but Moyle Rovers replied with pointed frees by Dara Ryan.

Both sides traded points before Pa Ryan flicked a long delivery to the net which made the difference as Newport went into the interval dressing rooms with a 1-9 to 0-9 lead.

On the restart, Newport extended their lead with points by Colin Floyd and Charlie Tobin. However, Moyle Rovers stayed in touch as Cillian Butler and Anthony Phelan hit white flags.

Yet, Newport were able to finish the stronger with the bench assisting though the accuracy of Odhran Floyd and Callum Poole.

Newport scorers: Colin Floyd 0-8 (7f); Charlie Tobin 0-5; Pa Ryan 1-2; Conor Floyd 0-2; Daniel Carew, Odhran Floyd, Callum Poole 0-1 each.

Moyle Rovers scorers: Dara Ryan 0-7f; John Cronin 0-3 (2f); Riain Quigley, Cillian Butler 0-2 each; Anthony Phelan, Paddy O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

Borrisokane 1-18 Ballybacon/Grange 1-12

Borrisokane came from behind to defeat Ballybacon Grange to finish their group stage campaign unbeaten in Templetuohy on Saturday.

The group winners didn’t have it all their own way as they trailed for forty minutes with Ballybacon looking like causing an upset with the help of a Shane Ryan goal in the 40th minute.

However, Philip Austin’s introduction from the bench came at the right time as his goal five minutes later paved the way for victory.

Borrisokane scorers: Oisin Larkin 0-8 (3f); Philip Austin 1-1; Conor Ryan, Conal Larkin, Gary Ryan, Liam Cleary, Ciaran Foley 0-1 each.

Ballybacon/Grange scorers: Paul Cummins 0-6 (4f); Shane Ryan 1-0; Brian Dillon 0-2; Michael Barlow, Aaron Lonergan, Billy Hewitt, Gerry Cronin 0-1 each.

KNOCKOUT STAGES

One preliminary quarter final is required with South champions Skeheenarinky facing Newport on Sunday, 6th September in Tipperary Town at 2.00pm. The winner will progress to the quarter finals joining the unseeded Portroe, Clonakenny, and Cappawhite who will be up against group winners Kilsheelan/Kilcash, Arravale Rovers, Ballingarry, and Borrisokane.

The Intermediate relegation semi-final draws have taken place with Clonoulty/Rossmore taking on Carrick Davins on Saturday 5th September in New Inn at 2.00pm, while the following day at 1.00pm in Golden, Holycross/Ballycahill face Ballybacon/Grange.