Naomh Eoin Minor Hurlers impress in reaching County Final

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Minor 'B' Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Naomh Eoin 3-20

Golden Kilfeacle 1-11

Report: Liam Hogan at Pairc Shilean, Templemore

After a slow start when conceding 1-1 in the opening three minutes, Naomh Eoin went onto produce an excellent performance to defeat a disappointing Golden Kilfeacle team in a one-sided County Minor ‘B’ Hurling semi-final on Saturday.

After the early setback they turned water into wine to go 2-15 to 1-5 in front by half time and added 1-5 in the second half to ensure a place in the final against Moyne-Templetuohy/Loughmore-Castleiney combination.

The North champions were simply too good for a Golden side that entered the game without centre back Sean White. His omission was a major setback to the team as it would be to any team. But then they were up against a Naomh Eoin side that wanted success much more as players like Savva Rashkevich, Joe Murphy, Hugo Massey, Rory Fox, Jack Hourigan, Ryan Donnelly, Alan Bourke, Darragh O’Brien and Jack Slevin didn’t let the side down.

The Borrisokane/Shannon Rovers combination had to plan without Donal Cleary at centre forward but the team played with flow and real teamwork. They simply gave the West champions no breathing space, bar the opening minutes when Tipp minor James Finn had the Naomh Eoin defence in sixes and sevens as he scored a goal in the third minute to put them 1-1 to 0-1 in front.

Naomh Eoin goalkeeper Mark Slevin hit some excellent puckouts and used Alan Bourke’s strength in the air and the ploy was evident from early on as he scored a fine point in the sixth minute. Two minutes later Darragh O’Brien had the ball in the Golden net from a very tight angle which helped settle Naomh Eoin and continued pressure helped them increase their lead by three after Rory Fox scored a 65 and two frees.

Skipper Charlie Hall was in the thick of things for Golden Kilfeacle and scored his second free in the 12th minute but Naomh Eoin were in no mood for giving second best and they scored four unanswered points through Alan Bourke, Ryan Donnelly, Jack Hourigan and Rory Fox (free).

There was a brief interlude as Golden hit back with points by James Finn and midfielder Jack Donnelly, but in the 22nd minute Naomh Eoin had their second goal when David Flannery scored from close range following a good run through the West champions cover.

The sprightly North champions went for the kill when they filled the remainder of the half with six unanswered points starting with Ryan Donnelly from play followed by Rory Fox with a free plus another Alan Bourke point following a great catch. Full of running Naomh Eoin continued almost at will as Donnelly scored his third quickly followed by a point each from play by Fox and Bourke to see them lead by thirteen at half time.

At half time, Golden Kilfeacle did the most extraordinary thing when they introduced four subs and changed goalkeeper with Cillian Byrne moving outfield and Cathal Noonan going between the posts. James Finn also moved to man the half back berth.

However, the new half began with Rory Fox and Charlie Hall shooting six points between them with Fox gaining the lions share on four. The excellent Alan Bourke continued his good work and in the 47th minute he put the game out of reach when he scored a good goal, 3-19 to 1-7.

Golden Kilfeacle responded with another Hall free before Rory Fox replied in kind and from there the remainder of the game saw the pace drop with Golden Kilfeacle, helped by the efforts of Conor Marnane, Iobhar Ryan, James Finn, Jack Donnelly and Charlie Hall, salvaging some pride as Charlie Hall scored his first from play before he brought down the curtain with one more free.

It was not enough as Naomh Eoin had already booked their place in the final on Saturday, 10th October.

TEAMS - Naomh Eoin: Mark Slevin; Adam Guest, Michael Gorman, Savva Rashkevich; John Coonan, Joseph Murphy (Capt), Hugo Massey; Rory Fox, Jack Hourigan: David Flannery, Ryan Donnelly, Alan Bourke; Jack Slevin, Alan Reid, Darragh O’Brien.

Subs: Luke Morgan for Hourigan (49); Eoghan Gohery for Bourke (49 inJ); J ohnny Quinn for J Slevin (53); David Kennedy for Reid (56); Odhran Blake for Rashkevich (58).

Golden Kilfeacle: Cillian Byrne; Jamie Hally, Conor Murnane, Jerome Quinlan; Iobhar Ryan, Luke O’Donnell, Anthony Ryan; Tom Hanrahan, Jack Donnelly; Rian Moloney, David Finn, Charlie Hall (Capt); Eoghan Ryan (P), James Finn, Jamie Landers.

Subs: Cathal Noonan for Landers (HT); Nicholas O’Toole for Ryan (HT); Killian Prendergast for Moloney (HT); Evan Ryan for Hally (HT).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy).