Ballina and Newport set up North Final rematch

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior 'B' Hurling Championship Semi-Finals

By Liam Hogan

Newport 2-16 Gortnahoe/Glengoole 2-12

Newport came good in the second half to see off Gortnahoe/Glengoole in the first semi-final of the County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship in Drombane on Saturday.

The North runners-up took an early lead through Peter O’Sullivan but Liam Hayes equalised and the point for point pattern continued up to the 25th minute when it was 0-8 each before Gortnahoe entered a purple patch when points by Jack Atkinson-Lynch and Oisin Cleary plus a Billy Hogan goal saw the Mid side leading 1-10 to 0-8 at half time.

Newport started the second half brightly and points by Stephen Coffey, Jack Ryan and Jordan Young brought the sides level. Jack McCarthy gave Newport the lead and suddenly the Mulcair men were in control when Darragh Gavin was fouled for a penalty which Cillian Collins converted.

There was more when Stephen Coffey scored Newport’s second goal after a good pass by Jack Delahunty. That goal seemed enough but Gortnahoe didn’t give up but Billy Hogan’s goal came too late.

Newport: Paul Hogan; Tom Allen, Conor Keating (Capt), Andrew Hickey; Darragh McGrath, John Lee, Niall Duffy; Jack Ryan (0-1), Jordan Young (0-1); Martin Carey, Peter O’Sullivan (0-1), Cillian Collins (1-8, 1-6f); Jack McCarthy (0-2), Jack Delahunty (0-2), Stephen Coffey (1-1).

Gortnahoe/Glengoole: Lee Nolan; Cormac Moloney (Capt), Colm Scott, Charlie Tobin; Eamon Hayden, Liam Lanigan, Jack Gleeson; Declan Teehan, Mark O’Shea; Oisin Cleary (0-1), Jack Atkinson Lynch (0-3), Kevin Laffan (0-1); Billy Hogan (1-1), Liam Hayes (1-6, 1-5f), Daragh Heffernan.

Referee: Donnacha Horan (Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill).

Ballina 2-14 Killea 0-18

Two late points helped Ballina get over Killea in the second semi-final of the County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship in Dolla on Saturday.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Ballina opened an early two point lead after five minutes when Brian Bourke scored from play and Ben King added a free. The North champions could have been much more in front but for a fine save by Killea keeper Cathal O’Sullivan when he denied Gary Slevin.

Killea opened their account when Tom Bourke landed a ninety metre free but Gary Slevin moved Ballina three in front after back-to-back points by Slevin before the margin was reduced to one when Paul Mullins and Tom Bourke scored a point each with fifteen minutes gone.

Ballina increased their lead to two and had a chance to extend their lead but Cathal O’Sullivan saved a penalty from Martin McKeogh. Ballina maintained the upper hand and Gary Slevin’s goal moved them well clear by half time, 1-9 to 0-7.

Killea made most of the early second half play as Dan McAllister’s point brought the Mid champions within one. Points by Conor Bourke and Ben King from a free had Ballina three in front by the 45th minute.

However, Killea soon hit a purple spot as two Kieran McElligott points plus points by Mikey O’Meara and Kyle Whelan put them in front for the first time, 0-15 to 1-11, with ten minutes remaining.

But the Ballina bench would prove decisive and Cathal O’Donnell had them in front again after scoring a goal. Points by Tom Bourke (free) and two from McElligott had Killea in front for the second time. However, O’Donnell levelled and the momentum turned in Ballina’s favour and earned the win with two Ben King frees.

Ballina: Martin McKeogh; Tristan Giroudiere, Aidan Hanley, Jack Quinn; Thomas Collins, Cian Molloy, Dara King; Conor Bourke (Capt, 0-1), Jack Grace; Brian Burke (0-1), Conor Shanahan, Ben King (0-7, 4f, 1’65); Tadgh McKeogh (0-1), Brian Hurley, Gary Slevin (1-3).

Sub used: Cathal O’Donnell (1-1); JP Mbokha Tansia, Luke Power.

Killea: Cathal O’Sullivan; Kyle Whelan (0-1), Aaron Ryan, Eddie Bourke; Denis Russell, Tadgh Quinlan, Mikey O’Meara (0-1); Jimmy Mullins, Andy Mullins; Paul Mullins (0-2), Bryan Bourke, Tom Bourke (0-6, 3f); Dan McAllister (0-3, 2f), Neil Quinlan, Dan Coffey.

Subs used: Kieran McElligott (0-4, 1f); Fionn Kavanagh (0-1).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).

Ballina are also chasing a junior hurling double as their third team qualified for the inaugural County Junior ‘C’ Hurling Championship final when they accounted for Arravale Rovers in the semi-final on Sunday, and will meet South champions Ballingarry in the final next Saturday afternoon at The Ragg.