Newport and Portroe crave Intermediate silverware

GAA: Jim McLoughney Menswear North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Final Preview

By James Hayden

NEWPORT v PORTROE

MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

Saturday, 28th June

Throw-in @ 7.00pm (E.T.)

Referee: Alan Graham (Roscrea)

The stage is set for MacDonagh Park, Nenagh, next Saturday as Newport and Portroe square off in the highly anticipated North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship final.

The last time the two sides faced off in a north decider was way back in 1989 when Newport, captained by Martin Ryan, emerged victorious, 2-14 to 1-12 , following a memorable battle.

Next weekend’s decider carries an extra layer of intrigue though as both sides seek to bounce back from far from memorable 2025 seasons. Newport are a youthful, hard-running side and will be targeting their ninth regional crown at this grade but standing in their path is battle-hardened, resilient Portroe outfit seeking to bridge a 36-year gap back to their last north title victory at this grade.

To fully understand the magnitude of this final, one must look at the contrasting journeys both clubs have taken over the past twelve months.

Newport

Just last season, Newport found themselves staring into the abyss, narrowly avoiding a catastrophic relegation to the junior ranks, needing extra time to beat Drom & Inch in a semi-final.

Fast forward a year, and under the astute guidance of former Laois mastermind Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett—the club has undergone a spectacular renaissance. He has successfully integrated an influx of vibrant young talent, players who tasted immense success at juvenile levels and have brought a culture of winning and fearless ambition into the adult squad.

Their semi-final performance was a statement of intent that reverberated across the division. Facing the reigning champions, Shannon Rovers, Newport put on a clinic of modern, high-octane hurling. While they held 0-15 to 0-11 lead at the interval, they unleashed an absolute onslaught in the second period, running out comprehensive 1-32 to 0-19 victors. It was a performance defined by breakneck pace, relentless support running, and impressive efficiency in front of the posts.

Central to Newport’s breathtaking transition game is Callum Poole, a midfielder possessing a serious engine who covered every blade of grass in the semi-final. His ability to break tackles and link play provided the launching pad for a forward line that operated in perfect harmony. In an extraordinary statistic that will give the Portroe management sleepless nights, all six starting Newport forwards scored from play against the reigning champions.

Ace marksman Oran Connors was in devastating form, hitting six sublime points from play, while the trio of Charlie Tobin, Conor McLoughlin, and James Moloney consistently tormented the Rovers’ rearguard with their movement and clinical finishing. When Newport weren't carving openings from open play, the unerring accuracy of Colin Floyd from placed balls kept the scoreboard ticking over, punishing every single defensive indiscretion.

However, Newport’s ambitions of securing their first North Intermediate title since 2015 could hinge heavily on the fitness of their defensive anchor. Former Tipperary All-Ireland winner Conor O’Mahony rolled back the years with an outstanding performance at centre-back, marshalling the defence with his trademark reading of the game and aerial dominance. Alarm bells rang in the second half when O’Mahony was forced off with a leg muscle injury, and the Newport faithful will be collectively holding their breath this week hoping their talismanic defender shakes it off in time.

Alongside him, Cian Flanagan and captain Aidan Moloney form a resilient and uncompromising half-back line that provides a formidable shield, but O’Mahony's veteran leadership remains irreplaceable.

Portroe

Portroe’s path to the final was a starkly different, and an altogether more intense affair, pushed to the absolute limit by Borrisokane.

In a breathless, end-to-end encounter where momentum swung like a pendulum, Portroe showcased their immense character. Leading by the slenderest of margins at the break, 0-12 to 0-11, they dug deep into their reserves of experience in the closing stages to edge out a thrilling 0-25 to 0-23 victory.

For Portroe, managed by John Sheedy but with his two-time All-Ireland winning manager brother Liam plus Roscrea’s John Carroll as coaches, this final represents a historic milestone.

The last time the green & gold annexed a North Tipperary Intermediate title was all the way back in 1990. On that occasion, they defeated Silvermines before launching a historic crusade that culminated in a county championship crown. A victory next weekend would secure their fifth title at this grade, adding to previous honours won in 1950, 1981, 1983, & 1990, although since then they have plied much of their time at senior level.

Portroe’s win over Borrisokane owed much to the heroics of goalkeeper Kevin O’Halloran, an excellent shot-stopper whose sharp reflexes kept the opposition's goal-hungry attackers at bay.

In front of him, the defensive spine was held together by the excellent marshalling of Michael Breen and Colm Gleeson, who stood tall under intense pressure. They achieved this semi-final without the services of regular centre-back Jack O’Callaghan. His absence due to injury was keenly felt, and his potential return to the starting fifteen for the final would provide a massive psychological and physical boost to the side.

Where Portroe truly possess the firepower to trouble Newport is in their potent half-forward line. The duo of Conor O’Brien and Diarmuid Boyle together with midfielder Sam Madden represents a perfect blend of physicality, work-rate, and scoring prowess. Boyle was majestic at centre-forward in the semi-final, acting as the primary playmaker and orchestrating attacks, while O’Brien and Madden offered a constant, direct threat that stretched the Borrisokane defence.

Furthermore, inside they boast the services of the evergreen John Sheedy at full-forward. He remains one of the most lethal forwards in the division; a deadly threat from placed balls, he possesses the rare, innate ability to pick off points from seemingly impossible angles, making him a player Newport cannot afford to give any discipline errors around the scoring zone.

Tactically, this match-up promises to be a fascinating chess match between two experienced management teams. Portroe's primary challenge will be devising a system to disrupt Newport’s explosive running game. If Newport’s midfield and half-backs are allowed to break lines at pace and utilize the full expanse of the MacDonagh Park pitch, their ability to bisect the uprights from long range and all angles could quickly overwhelm Portroe.

Conversely, Newport's defensive game plan must centre on curtailing the influence of Portroe's powerful half-forward line. Neutralizing Diarmuid Boyle's ability to win primary possession and distribute to the oncoming O'Brien and Madden will be paramount. If Conor O’Mahony is fit to play, his positional discipline will be crucial in shutting down this space; if he misses out, Plunkett will have to reconfigure his central spine to stop Portroe from dominating the aerial battles.

Newport represent the exciting, fast-paced future, aiming for their ninth title to banish the ghosts of last year's relegation dogfight. Portroe represent the ultimate test of resilience, looking to summon the spirit of 1990 and bridge a generation-spanning gap to reclaim regional glory at the intermediate grade. It is a final that defies easy prediction, where the youthful exuberance of Newport meets the battle-tested steel of Portroe. One thing is certain: Hurling fans across the division are in for a fantastic spectacle.

Verdict: Newport