Classy Nenagh ease to Minor Football success

GAA: North Tipperary Coiste na nOg Minor (Under 17) ‘A’ Football Final

Nenagh Eire Og 7-14

Roscrea 1-6

Report: Liam Hogan at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

Nenagh Eire Og were too good for Roscrea in running out easy winners of the North Tipperary Under 17 ‘A’ Football final on Saturday.

In what could be a historic win in possibly the last final at under 17 level, if the age grades for next year are changed to even numbers at this week’s County Board meeting, this Nenagh win was one of a complete performance once they established a grip on the game.

But it took a while. The opening minutes had a balanced look about it with Roscrea grabbing the opening score from a Michael Dooley free in the sixth minute. Michael Cleary MacLoone levelled two minutes later and he was instrumental in taking the game to another level over the next five minutes kicking three points as Nenagh went 0-6 to 0-1 in front after seventeen minutes.

Despite conceding a second point to Roscrea – when Jack Walsh scored a 45- the Nenagh machine went in search of more scores starting with another Cleary MacLoone point in the 20th minute.

Within the next two minutes, the gap stretched even more as Michael Ryan found the back of the net for goal number one. Goal number two soon followed as a quick free by Cian Clarke found Eanna Tucker unmarked and the midfielder had the net shaking. Twelve points in front, it looked game over.

But, in fairness, Roscrea kept up the fight. Their half backline of Charlie Carroll, Luke Murphy and Kalem Moloney stuck to the task in keeping the Nenagh attacks limited while Liam Dunphy and Jack Walsh made inroads upfront but the Nenagh defence led by Adam Boland had no mercy.

The Nenagh attack showed no mercy either and the remaining minutes of the half had Nenagh in search of more scores and after a Cian Clarke point there was goal number three when Eanna Tucker scored his second leaving Michael Cleary MacLoone with the final score of the half as he added a close in free. Half time: 3-9 to 0-3.

Any thoughts of a Roscrea revival were dealt a major blow as Nenagh had another 2-2 on the board inside the opening three minutes of the second half with Aodhan Tucker and Michael Cleary MacLoone the goal-scorers.

There was no let up and reaching the 42nd minute it was 5-12 to 0-3 before Roscrea struck on a positive six minute period when scoring 1-2 without reply as Jack Walsh posted a free quickly followed by a Jack Ryan score from play before centre back Luke Murphy moved up field to score a goal.

Roscrea would only secure one more point but the final minutes belonged to Nenagh and goals in the 53rd & 54th minute by Adam Quigley and Zack Ryan made it a big day for the sky blues.

Player of the Match: Michael Cleary MacLoone (Nenagh Eire Og)

Nenagh Eire Og: Rhys Cottrell; Anluan White, Michael Kennedy, Ronan Quinn; James Heffernan, Adam Boland (0-2), Evan Whyte; Aodhan Tucker (1-0), Eanna Tucker (2-1); Adam Quigley (1-1), Michael Cleary MacLoone (1-7, 0-2), Cian Clarke (0-2); Harry Walsh, Michael Ryan (1-0), Charlie Talbot (0-1).

Subs: Zack Ryan (1-0) for Talbot (48); Cian Ryan for White (51); Diarmuid Nolan for Walsh (52).

Roscrea: Aaron Tooher; Marko Pasalic, Calum Mitchell, Bobby Hayes; Kalem Moloney, Luke Murphy (1-0), Charlie Carroll; Jack Byrne, Michael Dooley (0-1f); Jack Ryan (0-1), Liam Dunphy (0-1), Billy Kennedy; Cillian Moloney, Sean McLoughney, Jack Walsh (0-3, 1f).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).