Seymour stars as Kiladangan claim 10th North title

GAA: The Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Final

Kiladangan 0-20

Borris-Ileigh 0-19

Report: Noel Dundon at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Billy Seymour (Kiladangan)

SCORERS - Kiladangan: Billy Seymour, Conor Byrne (4 frees) 0-5 each; Dan O’Meara, Paul Flynn, Willie Connors (frees) 0-2 each; Darragh Butler, Sean Hayes, Joe Gallagher, Darragh O’Dwyer 0-1 each.

Borris-Ileigh: Patrick Ryan 0-6 (5 frees), Eddie Ryan 0-4 (3 frees), James Devaney 0-3; Jerry Kelly, Paddy McCormack 0-2 each; Sean McCormack, Tommy Ryan 0-1 each.

Ace attacker Billy Seymour was the toast of Kiladangan as his five points from play were crucial in helping retain the Frank McGrath Cup following a close, hard fought North Tipperary Senior Hurling final against Borris-Ileigh on Sunday.

A game which failed to really spark until the closing moments, a tired looking Kiladangan side, playing a third game in eight days, did very well to stave off the challenge of Borris-Ileigh – an Eddie Ryan free from midfield in the dying embers which, had it been pointed, would have led to extra time, but it dropped short much to the delight of the champions.

There was a bumper attendance in MacDonagh Park for this final and with the pitch in perfect condition there was high expectations for a top-class final between a Borris-Ileigh side seeking a 16th North title and a Kiladangan seeking their 10th.

The holders were wind-assisted in what turned out to be a competitive but rather pedestrian first half and they seemed early on to be making the most of the advantage. However, as the half wore onwards, Borris-Ileigh got to grips with proceedings and went in at the break the happier side as the deficit stood at just two points, 0-11 to 0-9.

Kiladangan had bagged six of those eleven scores within the first thirteen minutes after Paul Flynn set the ball rolling for them within just thirteen seconds of the throw-in. They followed up with Conor Byrne, Joe Gallagher, and Willie Connors scores to go four clear – Borris-Ileigh, it seemed, were still in the dressing room and it took them a while to figure out the state of play put forward by their opponents.

However, Patrick Ryan and James Devaney burst onto the scoresheet for Borris’ to halve the deficit, only to see Dan O’Meara, Billy Seymour and Paul Flynn adding further Kiladangan scores to extend the lead.

Drawing men deep, Borris-Ileigh cut off much of the supply to the troublesome Kiladangan attack and it was a ploy which worked as the space was cut down in the middle third and the quality of ball in was not near as potent.

The result was a nip-and-tuck second quarter with James Devaney and Seymour trading scores, as did Patrick Ryan and Dan O’Meara, and Paddy McCormack and Jerry Kelly with Willie Connors and Darragh O’Dwyer.

Kiladangan were still doing most of the hurling, but it was not showing on the scoreboard and when Patrick Ryan pointed for Borris’ from a free in the 31st minute, there were just three between them. He repeated the feat moments later to leave the two-point gap between them at the break – an outcome which left Kiladangan scratching their heads slightly and Borris-Ileigh with a spring in their step.

That spring was not long disappearing though when, upon resumption, Kiladangan hit two scores in quick succession through Darragh Butler and Billy Seymour – Kiladangan signalling their intention to fight for this title right to the very end. That is exactly what they did and even though the legs began to wilt as the game wore onwards, they still had the hunger and desire to keep their hands on the silverware.

Patrick Ryan and Billy Seymour traded scores as did Eddie Ryan and Conor Byrne – Byrne pointing again from play right at the start of the last quarter.

Borris-Ileigh got up a head of steam though and three points without reply from James Devaney, Paddy McCormack and sub Tommy Ryan brought them to within two points and touching distance.

Again, sensing the danger Kiladangan had Sean Hayes and Conor Byrne scores – Eddie Ryan and Patrick Ryan cancelling those as the clock ticked down – two minutes of normal time left.

Billy Seymour hit his fifth point from play for Kiladangan to once again leave a goal in it, but Borris’ were coming strong now and Eddie Ryan and Jerry Kelly pointed before Ryan hit an important free to leave one in it deep into injury time – Conor Byrne getting what proved to be the winner from a free for Kiladangan between those Borris’ scores.

Borris’ came in search of an equaliser and a foul on Jerry Kelly resulted in a free from midfield which Eddie Ryan stepped up to. He was not happy with the connection though and the ball dropped into the square, where Kiladangan gained possession, forced a free, and with the resultant clearance, the silverware was being readied with the blue and gold ribbons.

In the main, Kiladangan were probably the better team and deserving of the title but Borris-Ileigh will regret a number of chances which went abegging and opportunities which could have gone their way.

Billy Seymour’s attacking prowess was the difference between the sides with his 0-5 from play proving so vital to Kiladangan’s success. Willie Connors did a lot of hurling for them too as did Alan Flynn, while Dan O’Meara was prominent, James Quigley was very solid and the Gallagher brothers always in the thick of the action.

For Borris-Ileigh, James Devaney impressed with three from play, Paddy McCormack and Jerry Kelly hit two apiece, while Liam Ryan, Colm Boyle and Ray McCormack can also be happy with their performances.

Kiladangan must now go again next Sunday when they play Clonoulty/Rossmore in the county championships first round – a fourth game in two weeks – while Borris-Ileigh have rivals Kilruane MacDonagh to contend with.

TEAMS - Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (7); Darragh O’Dwyer (7), James Quigley (8), David Sweeney (6); Willie Connors (6), Alan Flynn (7), Joe Gallagher (7); Tadhg Gallagher (7), Sean Hayes (6); Conor Byrne (7), Dan O’Meara (7), Paul Flynn (6); Conor Culhane (6), Billy Seymour (9), Darragh Butler (6).

Subs: Bryan McLoughney (6) for Culhane (42); Fergal Hayes (6) for O’Dwyer (56); Neil Cahalan (6) for Butler (56).

Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack (6); Shane Kenny (7), Liam Ryan (6), Colm Boyle (7); Dan McCormack (6), Ray McCormack (6), Johnny McGrath (6); Sean McCormack (6), Mikey Kennedy (6); Paddy McCormack (7), Eddie Ryan (7), Jerry Kelly (7); James Devaney (8), Conor Kenny (6), Patrick Ryan (6).

Subs: Tom Delaney (6) for D McCormack (40); Tommy Ryan (6) for Kennedy (46); Kevin Maher (6) for S McCormack (54).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).