Late Portroe surge over Newport sees them regain North Intermediate Hurling title

GAA: Jim McLoughney Menswear North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Portroe 0-24

Newport 1-16

Report: James Hayden at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Sam Madden (Portroe)

SCORERS – Portroe: Sam Madden 0-8 (2 s-cuts); John Sheedy 0-6 (5 frees, 1 ’65); Oisin O’Connor 0-3; Robert Byrne, Conor O’Brien 0-2 each; Michael Breen, Liam O’Callaghan, Colm Gleeson 0-1 each.

Newport: Colin Floyd 0-10 (2 frees); Callum Poole 0-3; Pa Ryan 1-0; Cian Flanagan, Charlie Tobin, James Moloney 0-1 each.

Portroe ended a 36-year wait to reclaim the Fr. Hewitt Cup after producing a stirring finish to overcome a talented Newport side in a gripping North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Final on Saturday evening.

Portroe, playing into a stiff breeze, made the perfect start. Just ten seconds had elapsed when Sam Madden split the posts, setting the tone for a magnificent individual display that ultimately earned him Player of the Match honours.

Colin Floyd quickly replied from distance before John Sheedy opened his account from a close-range free. Callum Poole also found the target as Newport edged ahead through a superb Colin Floyd sideline free in the fifth minute.

The lead continued to change hands during an entertaining opening quarter until Oisin O'Connor struck twice in quick succession to restore Portroe's advantage. Madden then showcased his remarkable striking ability with the first of two exquisite sideline-cuts before midfielder Conor O'Brien thundered over from distance to stretch Portroe's lead to three.

Although Newport responded through Cian Flanagan and another Floyd free, Portroe consistently had the answers. Captain Robert Byrne twice surged forward to inspire his side, first setting up Madden before landing a towering point himself, while Conor O'Brien rounded off the first-half scoring after excellent work from James Ferris to leave Portroe 0-10 to 0-8 ahead at the interval.

Newport emerged after the restart with renewed purpose. Scores from James Moloney and Charlie Tobin levelled matters within two minutes before Portroe responded impressively. Madden restored the lead after clever approach play from Brian Keating, and although Conor O'Brien's injury-enforced departure represented a significant blow, substitute Michael Creamer made an immediate impact by helping create another John Sheedy free.

The contest remained finely balanced as Colin Floyd answered with a fine point from play before Portroe's outstanding full-back Michael Breen produced one of the scores of the afternoon, bursting from defence to split the uprights from long range. Madden quickly added another before punishing a misplaced Newport sideline to stretch the advantage to three.

Callum Poole and Colin Floyd kept Newport firmly in contention, but scores from Colm Gleeson, Liam O'Callaghan and Sheedy appeared to have Portroe in control entering the closing quarter.

Yet Newport were far from finished. Substitute Pa Ryan injected fresh life into the contest with a brilliant individual goal, bursting clear before drilling low beyond Kevin O'Halloran. Colin Floyd then added two frees to remarkably edge Newport in front for the first time since the opening five minutes, setting up a grandstand finish.

Champions, however, find another gear when it matters most. With their title hopes hanging in the balance, Portroe produced a magnificent response. Sheedy steadied nerves with an excellent 65 before captain Robert Byrne landed a superb long-range effort to restore the lead. Sheedy added another free before Oisin O'Connor stretched the margin to three.

Newport threw everything forward in search of a late equaliser, introducing Conor O'Mahony, Rob Houlihan and Brian Tobin in a desperate bid to rescue the contest. Instead, it was Sam Madden who delivered the decisive blows, first arrowing over from the stand sideline before fittingly applying the finishing touch with a sublime sideline cut deep into added time.

It was the perfect conclusion to a magnificent individual display and a famous afternoon for Portroe, who were full value for ending their 36-year wait for North Tipperary Intermediate glory.

TEAMS - Portroe: Kevin O’Halloran; Brian Keating, Michael Breen, Adrian O’Halloran; Liam O’Callaghan, Jack O’Callaghan, Robert Byrne (Capt); Colm Gleeson, Cian Hogan; Conor O’Brien, Diarmuid Boyle, Sam Madden; James Ferris; John Sheedy; Oisin O’Connor.

Subs: Michael Creamer for O’Brien (33 inj); Ben O’Connor for Boyle (53); Mark Gennery for Hogan (56).

Newport: Eoin Shinners; Kevin Fitzpatrick, Sean O’Brien, Aidan Moloney (Capt); Cian Flanagan, Steven O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Riordan; Brendan Coffey, Conor McLoughlin; Charlie Tobin, Conor Floyd, Colin Floyd; James Moloney, Oran Connors, Callum Poole.

Subs: Pa Ryan for Connors (39); Cathal Hannon for Conor Floyd (49); Conor O’Mahony for Coffey (57); Rob Houlihan for A Moloney (60); Brian Tobin for J Moloney (60).

Referee: Alan Graham (Roscrea).

Full Match Report and Reaction in this Wednesday's Nenagh Guardian.