Toome end long wait for County Under 16 Hurling glory

GAA: Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under 16 'A' Hurling Final

Toomevara 0-27

Cashel King Cormacs 2-14

(After Extra Time)

Report: Liam Hogan at The Ragg

Toomevara came to life in the second half but required eighty minutes of thrilling action before winning their first County Under 16 ‘A’ Hurling title in 27 years when defeating Cashel King Cormacs in the final on Saturday.

This was another sweet one for Toome who were under 15 winners last year in which they overcame Cashel narrowly in the semi-finals.

Charlie Cummins scored Toomevara’s opener after thirty seconds but MJ Kennedy replied with a free sixty seconds later, with scores level for a second time inside five minutes before Cashel had the game’s opening goal a minute later when Ben Fitzgerald scored after an assist by Cathal Bonnar.

Fitzgerald had a great day at midfield with defenders Scott Underwood, Robert Dunne, Adam O’Halloran having the measure of everything that came their way in the first half.

Colm O’Brien’s point narrowed the margin for Toome but in the 13th minute Cashel hit the net for a second time through Cormac O’Donoghue (brother to Tipp senior star Oisin) after MJ Kennedy and Conal Bonnar were involved in the lead up.

The next five minutes favoured Toomevara as they hit two of the next three points, and the deficit might have been less had they concentrated on points instead of trying to walk the ball into the net before Cashel went six to the good after points by Fitzgerald and O’Donoghue before Charlie Cummins doubled his account to see the half time score at 2-5 to 0-6.

Something must have stirred in the Toomevara dressing room at half time because their display in the opening minutes after the restarts was chalk and cheese compared to the first as they scored five unanswered points through KJ Dunne (2), Conal Hartnett, Aidan O’Gorman and impressive centre-back Callum Ryan.

MJ Kennedy replied with a free but the Toome attack were out first to the ball as full forward Colm O’Brien levelled matters after 36 minutes. The Toomevara backline were giving little away in open play but their concession of frees became a worry as two MJ Kennedy placed balls gave Cashel some breathing space.

Despite lining out at wing forward, Jayden Delaney was acting as a third midfielder and he reduced the deficit with a point. Further pressure by Toome saw a goal disallowed with play called back for a free which KJ Dunne surprisingly failed to convert as Toomevara’s wides from placed balls (including sixty fives) were increasing.

MJ Kennedy had no such worries as his latest effort had Cashel two in front again. From the restart, Dara Wyles scored only to see Cormac O’Donoghue win the puckout and send midfielder Robert Kelly on his way to move Cashel two in front with thirteen minutes remaining.

Toome fought back with KJ Dunne’s next free and Jayden Delaney’s point from play bringing the sides level for the fourth time in the 49th minute. Cormac O’Donoghue’s lead point for Cashel was matched by one by Colm O’Brien.

Toome looked the more dangerous and they could have sealed the tie but Cashel goalkeeper Kasper Marshal came off his line to bravely save Conal Hartnett’s shot which resulted in a 65. Dunne failed to convert but Toome’s next attack led to another free and Jayden Delaney converted what was a possible winner with two minutes remaining.

However, Cashel were not done and came forward but the Toome defence stood firm until Scott Ryan won a close range free which he converted to bring matters to a halt with extra time to follow.

It took KJ Dunne all of 24 seconds to see Toome start on the front foot and it signalled a four point run with Evan Grace, a sideline-cut from Jayden Delaney and Oliver Duff putting the North champions into a strong position at the change of ends. The second period signalled another two points through KJ Dunne before Delaney increased the margin from a free.

Mid-way through the half, Ben Fitzgerald ended the Cashel drought with a free but with KJ Dunne acting as a sweeper his many clearances had ensured more scoring chances as Evan Grace and Colm O’Brien concluded the Toome scoring leaving the final word with Cormac O’Donoghue scoring a consolation point deep into added time.

It was Toomevara’s first title since 1999 and their eighth in all as ten players made the scoresheet but their backline deserve a mention especially James Mounsey, Dan Daly and Callum Ryan who just about edged man of the match ahead of Oliver Duff, KJ Dunne, Jayden Delaney and Colm O’Brien.

Spare a thought for Cashel King Cormacs who had a disappointing week following their minor hurling semi-final loss at the hands of Newport with three of that team, Scott Underwood, Ben Fitzgerald and MJ Kennedy giving it everything while Kasper Marshall in goal plus Robert Dunne, Adam O’Halloran, Robert Kelly, Cathal Bonnar and Cormac O’Donoghue didn’t let the side down.

TEAMS - Toomevara: Donnacha Kelly; Michael Fitzpatrick, James Mounsey, Dan Daly; Robbie Powel, Callum Ryan, Matthew Bergin; Oliver Duff, KJ Dunne (Capt); Jayden Delaney, Conor Hartnett, Dara Wyles; Aidan O’Gorman, Colm O’Brien, Charlie Cummins.

Sub: Evan Grace for O’Gorman (58).

Cashel King Cormacs: Kasper Marshall; Oisin Quirke, Scott Underwood, Brian O’Dwyer; Robert Dunne, Adam O’Halloran, Joshua Mulcahy; Robert Kelly, Ben Fitzgerald (Capt); MJ Kennedy, Cathal Bonnar, Adam Hayde; Scott Ryan, Cormac O’Donoghue, Dominic Flynn.

Sub: Luke Doyle for Kelly (56).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels).