Gortnahoe trump Moyne again

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 1

Gortnahoe/Glengoole 2-17

Moyne-Templetuohy 1-18

Report: Michael Dundon in Boherlahan

A virtuoso performance from attacker Keane Hayes steered Gortnahoe-Glengoole to victory over Moyne-Templetuohy in round one of group one of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship on Friday evening.

Hayes bagged a mammoth 1-14 of his side’s tally and on a night when there was precious little between the sides, he was the difference between the teams as Gortnahoe-Glengoole secured the all-important opening round win to kick-start their challenge for county honours.

And Gortnahoe-Glengoole did this the hard way as they played the last quarter a man short after Adrian Maher was red-carded. They were two points down at that stage but a penalty goal from Hayes minutes later, when he himself was fouled, put them in the driving seat and they held tough to the finish, helped by a couple of chances wasted by Moyne which could have earned them a draw.

It was a fine contest, a far-cry from the Mid final between these sides the previous Sunday when Gortnahoe meted out a 4-22 to 0-15 drubbing to their rivals. This time Moyne were competitive all the way despite again conceding an early goal, a fifth minute effort expertly executed by Ronan Teehan to put Gortnahoe 1-2 to 0-2 ahead.

Moyne kept their shape and with Conor Bowe a dominant figure, they were level 0-9 to 1-6 approaching the break. Then Tossy Hamill was grounded, and Moyne goalie Paul Maher went forward to net the resulting penalty. On his way back to goal he got injured in an incident involving a Gortnahoe player and had to retire, but at the break Moyne were ahead 1-10 to 1-6 and full value for it.

Gortnahoe had a slight edge in the third quarter with Keane Hayes hitting five points and Damien Corbett another for Gortnahoe to which Cormac Deegan (3), Gearoid O’Connor and Tom Meade replied for Moyne.

Moyne were 1-15 to 1-12 ahead in the 45th minute when Adrian Maher was red carded for Gortnahoe. Advantage Moyne one thought but after Keane Hayes pointed, he was fouled and awarded a penalty which he netted with aplomb, following up immediately with another point to put Gortnahoe 2-14 to 1-15 clear with nine minutes to go.

The closing period was tense and exciting as Moyne piled forward in search of a winning goal or at least to level, but Gortnahoe stuck to their task despite the extra man, sharing six points, score for score, in that nail-biting finish.

Gortnahoe/Glengoole deserved to shade the verdict, and the win sets them up nicely in this very competitive group which also includes Thurles Sarsfields and Sean Treacys. They also have the cushion of the Mid final win which guarantees them at least a preliminary county quarter-final spot if they don’t automatically qualify from the group so things ae looking good for them. Keane Hayes was their star performer in this win with great support from Conor Gleeson, Brian Maher, Karl Campion, Damien Corbett, and Martin Barnaville.

With difficult games ahead, Moyne will be encouraged by this performance. Conor Bowe was easily their best player but Gearoid O’Connor, Tossy Hamill, Tom Meade, Eoin Gorman, Eanna & Cathal Guilfoyle also contributed heavily to their display.

Player of the Match: Keane Hayes (Gortnahoe/Glengoole)

Gortnahoe/Glengoole: Timmy Dunne (6); Philly Purcell (6), Davy Nolan (6), Martin Barnaville (7); Karl Campion (7), Brian Maher (7), Fionn Cleary (6); Jack Moore (6), Conor Gleeson (0-1, 7); Adrian Maher (6), Ronan Teehan (1-0, 6), Aidan Guilfoyle (6); Damien Corbett (0-1, 7), Darragh Maher (0-1, 6), Keane Hayes (1-14, 1-0 pen, 0-10f) 9).

Sub: Liam Hayes (NR) for Guilfoyle (60).

Moyne-Templetuohy: Paul Maher (1-0 pen, 6); Shane Lowe (6), Ciaran Lloyd (6), Eoin Gorman (7); Pierce Meade (6), Eanna Guilfoyle (7), Paudie Gleeson (6); Conor Bowe (8), Cathal Guilfoyle (7); Gearoid O’Connor (0-5f, 7), Tom Meade (0-2, 7), Cormac Deegan (0-7f, 6); Ben Ryan (0-1, 6), Tossy Hamill (6), Diarmuid Fogarty (6).

Subs: Liam Butler (6) for Maher (29 inj); Ben Moore (0-1, 7) for Fogarty (43); Diarmuid Leahy (0-1, 7) for Deegan (57).

Referee: Paddy Ivors (Ballingarry).