Late goal wins Junior League for Kiladangan

GAA: North Tipperary Junior ‘B2’ Hurling League Final

Kiladangan 3-16

Roscrea 2-16

Report: Liam Hogan at Gardiner Park, Borrisokane

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Tom Boland (Kiladangan).

SCORERS – Kiladangan: Darren Ryan 1-5 (0-5 frees); Tom Boland 1-3; Chullian McGrath 0-5; Martin Minehan 1-1; Johnny McGrath, Cullum Ryan 0-1 each.

Roscrea: Diarmuid McLoughlin 0-8 (5 frees); Jason Fitzpatrick (1-0 pen), Ryan Thompson 1-1 each; Corey Moloney 0-2; Josh McMahon, Eoghan Bergin, Aaron Lee, Dylan Hogan 0-1 each.

The standard and entertainment values of junior hurling continue to increase and last Friday’s North Tipperary Junior ‘B2’ Hurling League final was no exception as Kiladangan defeated Roscrea in an exciting contest.

Kiladangan started at full pace in the opening minutes with Tom Boland’s splendid goal inside fifty seconds setting the foundation for a five point lead by the 16th minute, 1-5 to 0-3, with Darren Ryan’s three frees and Johnnie McGrath and Chullain McGrath’s points from play also on target.

Two of the Roscrea’s total had come in the opening three minutes through Ryan Thompson and Diarmuid McLoughlin from a free before HE doubled his total in the 12th minute.

Roscrea’s attacks were sporadic but when they got a glimpse of goal, they had to contend with Eoin Meagher who produced two great saves, one from Josh McMahon. Relieved from the Roscrea threat, Kiladangan regained lost ground and back to back points by the impressive Boland had the margin out to seven after sixteen minutes.

Roscrea needed inspiration and Ryan Thompson produced it in the 17th minute with his fifty metre solo run had Meagher beaten after a neat lay-off by Diarmuid McLoughlin.

However, three unanswered points by Boland, Chullain McGrath, and Cullum Ryan reasserted Kiladangan’s advantage. Roscrea had their chances but a succession of wides followed but they remedied that with two McLoughlin frees with Josh McMahon adding a third before Chullain McGrath picked up his third of the half for the ‘Dangan.

Referee Thomas Hogan allowed a minute of added time and it was enough to see Roscrea force Eoghan Meagher produce another great save. Kiladangan failed to clear before conceding a penalty which Jason Fitzpatrick blasted past Meagher making the half time score Kiladangan 1-11 Roscrea 2-6.

Playing with the assistance of a light breeze, Roscrea were quick off the mark and were level by the 33rd minute after Diarmuid McLoughlin’s free followed by a point from play by full forward Corey Moloney.

Another Chullain McGrath had Kiladangan ahead but Roscrea were in the lead for the first time in the 37th minute after McLoughlin and Moloney pointed from play.

Chullain McGrath’s quick response had the team’s level but Eoghan Bergin restored the Reds advantage a minute later. With play switching from end to end, Kiladangan’s next attack had them back in front when Darren Ryan goaled after Martin Minehan provided the pass.

Jason Fitzpatrick’s angled point halved Roscrea’s deficit but Kiladangan owned the next three minutes as Darren Ryan added two frees.

With fortunes swaying it was Roscrea’s turn to take up the baton with substitutes Aaron’s Lee & Delahunty prominent as points by Diarmuid McLoughlin (1 free) had them one point in arrears.

Kiladangan replied with Martin Minehan pointing but Roscrea were not for giving in after increasing their wides total to fourteen, they were soon level after Aaron Lee and the hard-working Dylan Hogan bisected the posts after Hogan had drifted up field from his centre back position.

Extra time was very much on the cards until a move involving Tom Boland and James O’Meara led to an unmarked Martin Minehan beating Aaron Tooher with a low shot from close range for a third Kiladangan goal.

Two minutes of added time followed but not enough for a Roscrea riposte as Kiladangan held out.

TEAMS - Kiladangan: Eoin Meagher (8); Sean Creamer (7), Shane Seymour (7), Michael Quigley (7); Eoin Kelly (6), Rory Gavin (7), Sean Hackett (7); Johnny McGrath (7), Cullin O’Brien (6); Darren Ryan (8), Chullain McGrath (8), Cullum Ryan (6); James O’Meara (6), Martin Minehan (7) Tom Boland (8).

Subs: Jim Minehan (6) for C Ryan (HT); William Slattery (6) for O’Brien (HT); Cullum Ryan for J Minehan (52).

Roscrea: Aaron Tooher (7); Lee Doran (7), Cathal McDonald (7), Graham Hogan (7); Declan Walsh (6), Dylan Hogan (8), Jake Thompson (7); Ryan Thompson (8), Conor Hoctor (7); Eoghan Bergin (6), Diarmuid McLoughlin (8), Paul Dooley (6); Jason Fitzpatrick (7), Corey Moloney (7), Josh McMahon (6).

Subs: Aaron Delahunty (7) for Walsh (HT); Vlad Bodrov (6) for Moloney (45); Aaron Lee (7) for Dooley (52); Brian O’Rourke (6) for Bergin (50); Sean Synnott (NR) for J Thompson (60).

Referee: Tomas Hogan (Toomevara).