Moneygall fend off stubborn Templederry

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 3

Moneygall 2-20

Templederry Kenyons 0-15

Report: Shane Brophy at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

Moneygall pulled away in the final quarter to get their County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship challenge off to a winning start, overcoming Templederry Kenyons on Sunday evening.

The victory was deserved if the margin was a little flattering as a short-handed Templederry made Moneygall earn every bit of the victory with their greater quality shining through in the end, out-scoring their opponents 1-6 to 0-2 down the home stretch.

When Templederry had battled back within four points at the three quarter mark, memories of their failure to close out the North semi-final against Silvermines three weeks previous in a similar position came to mind but once Aodhan Ryan ended an eight minute scoring drought to stall the Templederry momentum, Moneygall didn’t look back.

While far from their fluent best, they had the firepower which proved to be the difference, even without injured captain Joe Fogarty, with Adam Hogan, Sean Kenneally, Tadhg Whyte, and Eoghan Doughan to the fore but it was in defence where the victory was built, particularly the full-back line of Roddy Teehan, Brendan Toohey and Jack Kirwan, any of whom could have been man of the match.

Templederry lacked punch close to goal without Sean Ryan who is still in the US but will be home for their remaining two games in the group, starting with Burgess.

They will need him as with Adrian Ryan injury curtailed, forced off early in the second half with a back injury, with Thomas Stapleton and Darragh Carey also ruled out, they relied on long range for their scores where Sean Collins and Brian Stapleton were impressive while Eanna Murray’s relocation to the half-back line worked to a degree in terms of getting on the ball and using it the best way possible.

It was a low key contest, the small crowd at MacDonagh Park more distracted by the ongoings at Croke Park with a roar going up around the 25th minute when the word spread that Mayo had won the All-Ireland Football final, from where they finally became engrossed in the game they were present at.

At that stage, the sides were level at eight points apiece with both sides wasteful in front of goal, particularly Templederry who had the aid of the difficult diagonal breeze.

The sides were level on seven occasions during that spell with Moneygall making the key burst in the run up to half time, 1-2 to 0-1, the goal coming from Tadhg Whyte following a drilled delivery from Sean Kenneally.

The Tipp senior player had a frustrating half with two points but three wides, however, he was a constant ball winner as Moneygall went in at the break leading 1-10 to 0-9.

They stretched the lead to six early in the second half but a good spell from Templederry with Michael Collins unerring from frees and the experienced Brian Stapleton firing over his third from play, were enjoying their best period of the game with Pio Kennedy’s placing as a sweeper working effectively.

They missed a couple of opportunities to get even closer as tensions became a little frayed until Aodhan Ryan landed a relieving score for Moneygall with Doughan, Adam Hogan and Kenneally following suit as the pressure began to ease.

They sealed the win in the 55th minute when a mix-up at a short Templederry short puckout saw goalkeeper stranded out of his goal and Eoghan Doughan had the easy task of firing to an unguarded net, 2-19 to 0-14.

Kennedy made up for his error denying Tadhg Whyte a second goal and also Sean Kenneally in added time as Templederry’s defensive became lax as the game had been well and truly lost.

Player of the Match: Brendan Toohey (Moneygall)

Moneygall: Paddy McCormack (0-1f, 6); Roddy Teehan (7), Brendan Toohey (8), Jack Kirwan (8); Eoin Whyte (7), Shay Gleeson (7), Andy Hoolan (7); Aodhan Ryan (0-1, 7), Adam Hogan (0-3, 8); Cormac Hoolan (0-1, 6), Sean Fogarty (6), Bob Kenny (6); Eoghan Doughan (1-10, 0-9f, 7), Sean Kenneally (0-3, 7), Tadgh Whyte (1-1, 7).

Subs: Cian Ryan (7) for Kenny (43); Cathal Greene (6) for Kirwan (46-49 blood), for C Hoolan (56); Gearoid Larkin (NR) for Teehan (60+2); Dylan Sayers (NR) for Doughan (60+2).

Templederry Kenyons: John Kennedy (6); Mikey Ryan (7), Padraig Hogan (6), Brian Rohan (6); Eanna Murray (0-1, 8), Colm Murray (0-2, 1f, 7), Liam McCutcheon (7); Brian Stapleton (0-3, 8), Mattie Hogan (6); Pio Kennedy (6), Pa O’Leary (6), Sean Collins (0-4, 8); Micheal Collins (0-4, 3f, 7), Adrian Ryan (0-1, 6), Paudie Ryan (6).

Subs: Cathal O’Brien (7) for A Ryan (34 inj); Mark Grisewood (NR) for P Ryan (60).

Referee: Alan Graham (Roscrea).