Moneygall hold off Arravale for Under 16 Hurling glory

GAA: Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under 16 'B' Hurling Final

Moneygall 2-12

Arravale Rovers 1-12

Report: Liam Hogan at Sean Treacy Park, Kilcommon

Moneygall survived a second half fightback to secure their first County Under 16 ‘B’ Hurling title since 1996 in defeating Arravale Rovers in the final on Sunday evening.

Aidan O’Meara’s 55th minute goal proved key as it moved Moneygall six clear but they continued to be under pressure from a gallant Arravale team who refused to die and they scored a goal in the third minute of added time, which could have been the leveller had they not missed a gilt-edged chance ten minutes earlier.

This was in contrast to a first half when Moneygall, while playing direct hurling, managed to take a nine-point lead after 25 minutes but was down to seven by half time. Shooting eleven first half wides didn’t help while Arravale hit five in the same half.

The North champions were three points in front by the seventh minute thanks to two Jack Kennedy frees plus a brilliant Conor Keeshan point from the left wing. The wides total reached five by then but there was no apparent panic.

At the other end, their defence was touch tight with Gavin O’Brien lording matters at centre back, ably assisted by Emmet Bourke and Michael Maher while Oran Hoolan, Noah Treacy and Sean Maher were more involved thus limiting Arravale’s attacking ability to one point which came in the ninth minute through full forward Cillian O’Dea.

The next seven minutes saw a share of the scoring chances with Arravale coming nearest to scoring but Moneygall keeper Cathal Toohey got first to the ball ahead of O’Dea.

The game upped a notch in the 16th minute when a move involving Harry Jones and Conor Keeshan saw Jack Kennedy prize home a goal. A minute later, the lead was out to six when Kennedy added a free after Hugh Smyth was fouled before Kennedy added another free in the 19th minute.

It was all Moneygall now as Keeshan added a point shortly after Arravale keeper Adam Gleeson cut out a drive by Jack Kennedy. There was more troubles in the Arravale goalmouth with Gleeson alert once more as he cleared Harry Jones effort off the line before Moneygall settled for a Kennedy free to see them nine clear, five minutes from half time.

That period before the break saw Arravale spring into life when Tomas Leahy scored quickly followed by another point by Conor O’Meara. However, Conor Keeshan’s link up with Harry Jones saw the latter score but as play entered additional time, a Conor O’Dea free left the half time scoreline reading 1-8 to 0-4.

Arravale’s momentum continued to grow as the second half began with the umpires moving in action within ninety seconds thanks to James Cotter with Conor O’Dea adding another point two minutes later.

Jack Kennedy’s free in the 39th minute was relief to Moneygall as Arravale continued with their recovery to another Conor O’Dea free cut the deficit even more. The next six minutes failed to produce a score but Arravale continued to knock at the Moneygall door which brought the best out of Gavin O’Brien and company.

Further out the field, Ryan Devitt was Arravale’s trump card and his point in the 48th minute was just reward for his team’s effort. Moneygall hit back with a Conor Nolan point but Arravale persisted and back to back points through Leahy from play plus O’Dea from a free had the game in the melting pot.

Arravale had introduced Tomas Ryan O’Connor at half time and his presence caused some anxiety to the Moneygall defence and in the 53rd minute he created a move before linking up with fellow substitute Dylan O’Donovan who sent the Arravale following into rapture as they saw the net shaking. However, joy soon turned into disappointment when the umpire correctly waved the ball wide. It was very close.

Despite the disappointment, Arravale continued their march and were within two when Tomas Leahy scored his third point in the 54th minute.

What seemed a sure road to victory was now turning into a struggle and Moneygall needed a remedy and one minute later they had the perfect medicine when Aidan O’Meara emerged from a crowded area close to goal before shooting past Adam Gleeson. Seconds later, Moneygall six in front after Jack Kennedy settled the nerves with a close range free.

Ryan Devitt’s second point gave Arravale hope but the lead was out to six again when Conor Keeshan pointed a minute into added time. However, the battle continued as Arravale came once more and won a close range free which was brought closer to goal for dissent. Up stepped Conor O’Dea who fired low to the net.

Three points separated the teams as Arravale considered one last attack which created panic in the Moneygall rearguard and resulted in another close range free which O’Dea failed to convert as Moneygall survived thus ending a twenty year spell with silverware.

TEAMS - Moneygall: Cathal Toohey; Emmett Bourke, Oran Hoolan, Noah Treacy; Michael Maher, Gavin O’Brien, Sean Maher; Hugh Smyth, Conor Nolan; Jack Kennedy (Capt), Aidan O’Meara, Mark Coonan; Tomas Shanahan, Harry Jones, Conor Keeshan.

Sub: Eoin Keeshan for T Shanahan (43).

Arravale Rovers: Adam Gleeson; Dylan Ryan, Eoin Heffernan, Charlie Considine; Tommy Sutton, Mark Duggan, Billy O’Brien; Paddy Kavanagh (Capt), Ryan Devitt; Charlie Cunningham, Tomas Leahy, Jamie Cotter; Alex Wilkinson, Cillian O’Dea, Conor O’Meara.

Subs: Tomas Ryan O’Connor for Sutton (HT); Dylan O’Donovan for Wilkinson (48); Daniel Gleeson for O’Brien (58 inj).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh).