North Tipp GAA Affairs

By Michael Quinn PRO

North Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship

Group 1 concluded last Saturday evening in Borrisoleigh, with the home side securing top spot and a home Semi Final after a 3-13 to 3-9 victory over Nenagh Éire Óg.

Borris-Ileigh dominated the first half, leading 1-8 to 0-3 at the break thanks to a Michael Ryan goal. They made the perfect start to the second half when Darragh Chute found the net to extend their advantage.

Billy O’Brien hit back with a goal five minutes later to give Éire Óg hope, and Aodhán O’Connor reduced the deficit to three points with another goal in the 46th minute. Sam O’Farrell then levelled the game at 2-11 to 3-8 on the 50th minute with Éire Óg’s third goal.

However, Borris-Ileigh showed the composure of champions, responding immediately with 1-2 — Michael Ryan grabbing his second goal of the game. They held firm in the closing stages to claim a four-point win after an exciting second half.

Borris-Ileigh have topped Group 1, edging out Ballina on scoring totals. Both sides ended with a +4 score difference, but Borris-Ileigh claimed first place thanks to a superior scoring record — 5-31 (46 points) compared to Ballina’s 2-36 (42 points).

The semi-finals will take place on Sunday, November 30th, at 12 noon, with Borris-Ileigh hosting Toomevara, while Silvermines face Ballina.

The final is fixed for Sunday, 7th December.

North Under 21 'B' Hurling Championship

Burgess secured their place in the knockout stages of the North Under-21 ‘B’ Hurling Championship with a comprehensive 5-16 to 1-13 Group 1 victory over Borrisokane last Sunday afternoon.

The game was effectively decided in the opening quarter, as Burgess produced a blistering start — scoring five goals in the first 18 minutes.

David Nealon opened the scoring with a goal from a free in the 5th minute, followed a minute later by a strike from Paul Cahalan.

Nealon added his second in the 7th minute — three goals in as many minutes.

Ryan Donnelly pulled one back for Borrisokane in the 12th minute, but Nealon completed his hat-trick just a minute later, finishing the game with an impressive tally of 3-8. Cahalan struck again on the 18th minute to notch his second and Burgess’s fifth goal, giving them a commanding 5-3 to 1-0 lead.

Burgess led 5-8 to 1-2 at half-time, and though Borrisokane improved after the break, the result was never in doubt as the game gradually petered out.

This was the only game that took place last weekend in the 'B' Championship.

Burgess, Kilruane MacDonaghs, and Newport have all finished top of their respective groups. They will now go forward to a draw to determine Semi-Final placings. The first two teams drawn will progress directly to the Semi-Finals, while the remaining group winner will join the three second-placed teams in the quarter-finals.

Second place is still up for grabs in all three groups, with next week’s fixtures set to decide who advances to the Quarter-Final stage. In Group 1, Moneygall/Clonakenny host Borrisokane. In Group 2, Ballinahinch/Templederry host Kiladangan in Templederry, while in Group 3, Lorrha Rovers host Portroe in Ballinderry. All games will throw in at 12 noon on Sunday 16th.