North Football success for Kiladangan

GAA: North Tipperary Coiste na nOg Minor ‘B’ Football Final

Kiladangan 5-13

Portroe 2-12

Report: Michael Quinn at the University of Limerick

Kiladangan claimed the North Tipperary Minor ‘B’ Football title last Saturday after an entertaining final victory over a gallant Portroe side.

The game was moved to UL’s astro-turf pitch due to heavy rainfall rendering local pitches unplayable.

The win saw Kiladangan make amends for last year’s defeat to Moneygall/Clonakenny and their incisive running gave them a strong start. The impressive Simon Cleary opened the scoring with a free in the first minute, and moments later James O’Dwyer fired to the roof of the net after a turnover from Donagh Carmody.

Portroe opened their account in the ninth minute when Sam Gallahue converted a free after Shane Quinn was fouled. Kiladangan responded immediately. A short kickout to full-back Cullum Ryan worked its way up field, allowing Rian McGrath to burst through and finish for Kiladangan’s second goal.

Cleary added another free before Eoin Kelly struck Kiladangan’s third goal with a composed finish from the ground, pushing the lead to 3-2 to 0-1 after twelve minutes. Portroe eventually settled, hitting three points without reply—two Gallahue frees and a long-range effort from midfielder Tom Kirby.

Kiladangan answered again through a Cleary free and a Dan Boland point. Gallahue sent over another free on 27 minutes before testing Kiladangan goalkeeper Jack Fogarty, who produced an excellent save a minute later.

Fogarty remained busy as half-time approached. A foot-block on 29 minutes resulted in a Portroe penalty. Sam Gallahue’s initial effort was saved brilliantly by Fogarty, but the forward reacted quickly to finish the rebound.

Simon Cleary responded with another free for Kiladangan, but drama followed shortly after: Portroe were awarded a second penalty for a push in the square. Again, Jack Fogarty saved Gallahue’s first attempt, but again Gallahue pounced on the rebound. Despite trailing by nine early on, Portroe’s strong finish reduced the deficit to just three at the interval: Kiladangan 3-5, Portroe 2-5

Playing with the breeze after the restart, Kiladangan began strongly with an excellent two pointer free from Cleary. Gallahue replied for Portroe, but another turnover—this time from Rian McGrath—set up James O’Dwyer for his second goal on 37 minutes. McGrath added a point before Gallahue (free) pointed again to make it 4-8 to 2-7.

Kiladangan then hit 1-4 without reply. Cleary added another free before O’Dwyer clipped two points in a minute. A long-range effort from Rory Gavin stretched the lead, and moments later Kelly netted his second goal—from the penalty spot after a foul in the square.

Portroe battled to the end with substitute Dara Quinn scoring a fine point and Sam Gallahue adding two more frees. Goalkeeper Jack Manning produced another excellent save on 59 minutes, denying Cian Kinsella.

Rian McGrath added a late point for Kiladangan before Portroe finished with scores from Tom Kirby and substitute Shaun Murphy.

Kiladangan were deserving winners, with a strong scoring spread proving the difference. Simon Cleary was outstanding from frees and from open play, while midfield partner Eoin Kelly also impressed. Rory Gavin anchored the defence, and Jack Fogarty delivered a superb goalkeeping performance, saving two penalties. Up front, James O’Dwyer’s pace caused constant problems.

For Portroe, several players performed well, but they were heavily reliant on the excellent Sam Gallahue, who finished with an impressive 2-8.

Player of the Match: Simon Cleary (Kiladangan)

Kiladangan: Jack Fogarty; Eoin Dervan, Cullum Ryan, William Slattery; Noah Ducie, Rory Gavin (0-1), Avi Aharon; Eoin Kelly (2-0, 1 pen), Simon Cleary (0-7, 1x2p, 4x1f); Donagh Carmody, Rian McGrath (1-2), JP Flannery; Dan Boland (0-1), Cian Kinsella, James O’Dwyer (2-2).

Subs: Ruairi Hackett for Flannery (HT), Dan Connolly for Slattery (HT), Matthew Ryan for O’Dwyer (52), William Slattery for Ducie (52), JP Flannery for Dervan (57).

Portroe: Jack Manning; Robert Seymour, Tristen Howard, Conor Raedler Shinnors; Shane Quinn, Iarlaith Conroy, Jack Gleeson; Robert Horan, Tom Kirby (0-2); Craig McKenna, Alex Dharam, James Seymour; Sam Gallahue (2-8, 0-8f), Adam O’Callaghan, Cody O’Connor.

Subs: Shaun Murphy (0-1) for Raedler Shinnors (34), Dara Quinn (0-1) for Dharam (46), Daniel Lyons for Seymour (46), Andrew Horan for O’Callaghan (55), Luke Dharam for Quinn (55), Killian McKenna for Gleeson (55), Aidan Quinn for R Seymour (55).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess).