Kiladangan remain on course for North Hurling titles sweep

GAA: Walsh’s of Nenagh North Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Semi-Final

Kiladangan 0-15

Nenagh Eire Og 0-11

Report: Shane Brophy in Borrisokane

Kiladangan remain on course for a clean sweep of all divisional adult hurling competitions they have competed for in 2021 after they saw off Nenagh Eire Og in a hugely competitive North Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling semi-final on Sunday.

Having won the North senior, junior ‘B’ & ‘C’ and under 19 ‘A’ titles so far this year, only Roscrea stand between them and a unique piece of history, but they had to fight all the way for victory in this semi-final by a hugely committed Eire Og challenge.

Played in thick fog with threatened the game for periods, it was Kiladangan’s greater experience in front of goal that won them through as Nenagh had as much possession, of not more, but didn’t have that cutting edge to cause an upset.

However, Nenagh will rue nine wides to Kiladangan’s six, four of them coming from placed balls, in what was a very even game, so every chance counted, and, in the end, it was Shane Gleeson’s free-taking, which was the difference between the sides, converting seven from eight, with his final point with the last puck of the game putting the seal on the win.

It was a game Kiladangan were expected to win with three members of the 2020 county senior championship team in their line-up in Darragh Flannery, who was tremendous at centre back, as well as Sean Hayes and Bryan McLoughney in attack. However, both were well marshalled in the main by Conor Hennessy and Liam Heffernan, the latter particularly impressive.

On top of that experience were a number of players that have played Senior ‘B’ in the form of Gleeson, Paul Seymour and Matthew Cleary and that knowhow was so important against a gutsy Nenagh side who were also coming in a little cold having had a bye to the semi-finals. However, in the performances of Mark Carey, Sean Shanahan, Josh Keller, Taurai Shayanewako and Cian Crowley, Nenagh have players of future potential.

It was the livewire Shayanewako, a county minor in 2021, who opened the scoring before Kiladangan settled with points from Bill Cleary and first Shane Gleeson free. Such was the competitiveness and physicality of the game with the players on both sides familiar with each other on and off the field, goal chances were at a premium with the best coming after just four minutes, but Bryan McLoughney pulled wide of an open goal after Paul Seymour caught a high ball. His direct marker Mark Carey managed to get forward to score from play to level but Kiladangan then made their move, scoring three without reply from Gleeson (2 frees) and Bill Cleary before Jamie Cottrell cut the margin to two by the water-break, 0-5 to 0-3.

Sean Phelan pointed a free after the resumption, but Kiladangan reasserted themselves with points from Gleeson, Bryan McLoughney, and Paul Seymour to go four in front but a Cian Crowley point from play saw the scoreline at half time, 0-8 to 0-5 in favour of Kiladangan.

Early second half points from the hard-working Conor Byrne and a Shane Gleeson free saw the margin out to five points, which in the gloomy conditions was a strong lead. To their credit, Nenagh never looked like throwing in the towel and stuck to their gameplan, even if scoring chances were at a premium against a tough Kiladangan defence. A Sean Phelan free was cancelled by a Sean Hayes point from play with Phelan and Gleeson converting a free each as Kiladangan led 0-12 to 0-7 at the second water-break.

Shane Gleeson’s sole point from play saw his side open their largest lead of six points but Nenagh kept probing with Cian Crowley and Jamie Cottrell free on target.

Another classy Bryan McLoughney point was responded to by Josh Keller and deep in injury time when Ben West’s close range free flew over the bar, just a goal separated the sides exchanges became tense with things threatening to boil over.

However, Kiladangan’s experience saw them win a free from the next puckout from where Shane Gleeson landed a free from inside his own half to seal a four-point win and progression to another North Final.

Player of the Match: Darragh Flannery (Kiladangan)

Kiladangan: Neil Cahalan (6); Darren Ryan (6), Darragh Butler (7), John O’Meara (7); Conor Culhane (7), Darragh Flannery (8), DJ McGrath (7); Conor Byrne (0-1, 7), Johnny McGrath (7); Bill Cleary (0-2, 7), Matthew Cleary (7), Shane Gleeson (0-8, 7f) 7); Bryan McLoughney (0-2, 7), Paul Seymour (0-1, 7), Sean Hayes (0-1, 6).

Subs: Stephen Mulvihill (6) for J McGrath (44); Jack McGrath (6) for DJ McGrath (52); Aidan Ryan (6) for Byrne (53); Cathal Ryan (NR) for Culhane (60+1 inj); Billy McGrath for B Cleary (60+4).

Nenagh Eire Og: Dermot McTiernan (6); Liam Heffernan (8), Mark Carey (0-1, 7), Paul Ryan (6); Gavin Dooley (6), Conor Hennessy (7), Sean Shanahan (7); Josh Keller (0-1, 7), Taurai Shayanewako (0-1, 7); Jamie Cottrell (0-2, 1f) 6), Cian Crowley (0-2, 7), Stephen Hallinan (6); Billy Moran (6), Ben West (0-1f, 6), Sean Phelan (0-3f, 7).

Subs: Brendan Long (6) for Ryan (22); Ben Connolly (6) for Hallinan (44); Dan Molamphy (6) for Moran (49).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)