Debut season county glory for Naomh Eoin Minor Hurlers

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Minor ‘B’ Hurling Final

Naomh Eoin 2-16

Moyne-Templetuohy/Loughmore-Castleiney 2-11

Report: Liam Hogan at Kenyon Park, Templederry

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Donal Cleary (Naomh Eoin).

SCORERS - Naomh Eoin: Donal Cleary 1-7 (0-5 frees); Jack Slevin 1-2; Rory Fox (1 free), Ruan Donnelly 0-2 each; David Flannery, Darragh O’Brien, Aalan Bourke 0-1 each.

Moyne-Templetuohy/Loughmore-Castleiney: Cathal Ryan 2-5 (1-5 frees); Conor Campion, Jack Noonan 0-2 each; Mark Campion, Jack Reddan 0-1 each.

2-6 either side of half time helped Naomh Eoin create history by winning their first County Minor ‘B’ Hurling title in defeating Moyne-Templetuohy/Loughmore-Castleiney in the final on Saturday afternoon.

Having trailed for much of the opening twenty minutes, the Borrisokane/Shannon Rovers combination blitzed the Mid champions to go eight in front on 33 minutes and maintained the upperhand from there to the end.

That period contrasted the opening twenty minutes when Mid combo were the better side as they hurled with abandon and their first goal in the third minute. In fact, their attack had so much the extra step that they had the Naomh Eoin defence somewhat unsettled with two goal chances also spurned.

However, Naomh Eoin settled and the defence grew in stature with every passing moment where Jack Hourigan, Michael Gorman and Savva Rashkevich manned the full back line with coolness, aided by a halfback line of John Coonan and the hard working Joe Murphy and Hugo Massey.

There was more to like for the winners as seven of the front eight made the scoresheet with Donal Cleary the man of the match with 1-7, 1-2 from play, with Alan Bourke, Joe Murphy, Hugo Massey, Rory Fox and Ryan Donnelly also in the running.

Full credit to Moyne-Templetuohy/Loughmore-Castleiney who hurled well at times but their attack faded as the game went on. Tommy Bohan was outstanding at fullback in the company of Ben Moran and Henry Meade. The halfback combination of Cathal Breen and Jack Reddan did well while Daniel McDonnell, Jack Noonan and Cathal Ryan plus the busy running Mark Campion never gave up the fight.

This latest success for the fledgling Naomh Eoin brings home their fourth piece of silverware so far this year including the North Minor Hurling & Football double.

Kenyon Park was in good fettle for the time of year as Moyne/Loughmore had use of a stiff breeze and opened the scoring through Mark Campion before David Flannery levelled by the second minute.

One minute later, Moyne/Loughmore had their supporters on their feet when Cathal Ryan gave Mark Slevin no chance from close range for the games’ opening goal.

Naomh Eoin had by then registered three wides but the mid champions were much more accurate as Conor Campion increased his team’s lead with a splendid point on the left wing.

Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession with the respective free-takers trading scores through Rory Fox from sixty-five metres and Cathal Ryan closer to goal.

Play continued and back-to-back points by Ryan Donnelly and Darragh O’Brien from a difficult angle brought Naomh Eoin within two before Moyne went three in front thanks to a quick response by Jack Reddan from long range with thirteen minutes gone.

The game was an enjoyable spectacle and neither team was giving much way as Donal Cleary and Cathal Ryan traded frees before Moyne/Loughmore posed danger close to goal as Mark Slevin denied Cathal Ryan. Failure to clear allowed Moyne win back possession with Jack Noonan firing inches over the bar making it 1-6 to 0-5 on twenty minutes.

Donal Cleary’s close range free brought the deficit back before Mark Campion was denied a goal by good defensive cover. Indeed, there were goal-scoring opportunities at the other end and in the 23rd minute Darragh O’Brien missed an open goal.

Moyne/Loughmore came back to go four in front again after Jack Noonan pointed a minute later. But then, the game changed dramatically as the remainder of the half belonged to Naomh Eoin.

Donal Cleary banged over another free after Alan Bourke was fouled. There was more Naomh Eoin pressure and in the 26th Jack Slevin rounded his man to score a good goal after a pass by Alan Reid.

The goal appeared to settle Naomh Eoin and the points followed as Ryan Donnelly, Rory Fox and Alan Bourke moved the North champions three clear at half time, 1-10 to 1-7.

With the advantage of the breeze, the start of the second half saw Naomh Eoin continue to press as Jack Slevin increased their lead before Donal Cleary scored a well-taken goal thanks to a long puckout by Mark Slevin. Another Jack Slevin point soon followed and the North champions were 2-12 to 1-7 in front.

There was lots of hurling yet to be done and Moyne/Loughmore emptied the bench with the introduction of Jack Guilfoyle and Rogan Lyons (carrying an injury) adding potential to a comeback as the Mid champions were encouraged by three unanswered points, two Cathal Ryan frees and a Conor Campion score from play.

Good link up play by Rory Fox and Donal Cleary saw the latter register Naomh Eoin’s first score in fourteen minutes.

Conor Campion responded but his well struck shot was deflected out for a 65 which was not converted. There was no such bother for Donal Cleary who was accurate with a free in the 48th minute.

Increased play by Jack Reddan, Conor Campion, Jack Noonan, Daniel McDonnell and Rogan Lyons had Moyne/Loughmore creating chances but the Naomh Eoin defence never panicked as Jack Hourigan, Michael Gorman and Savvy Rashkevich kept their cool while Joseph Murphy and Hugo Massey increased their presence with every passing minute.

Ryan Donnelly was ever present and in the 54th minute Donal Cleary raced up field to score a fine point with the same player consolidating the lead with a free three minutes later.

By then, the laurels were heading north but not before the concession of Moyne/Loughmore’s second goal to Cathal Ryan deep in added time from a free making little difference at the call of time.

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

Subs: Eoghan Gohery for Reid (54); Johnny Quinn for J Slevin (58); Adam Guest for Hourigan (60+1).

Moyne-Templetuohy/Loughmore-Castleiney: Paddy Ely; Ben Moran, Tommy Bohan, Henry Meade; Cathal Breen, Jack Reddan, Tristan Morris; Lee Cleere (Capt), Daniel McDonnell; Ronan Murray, Cathal Ryan, Jack Noonan; Mark Campion, Conor Campion, Andrew Everard.

Subs: Jack Guilfoyle for Everard (35); Rogan Lyons for Murray (35).

Referee: Nigel Carrigan (Ballybacon/Grange).