Ballina - North Tipperary Under 14 ‘B’ Hurling champions. Back row: Donnchadh Ring, James Cawley, Adam Moloney, Oisin Ring, Daniel Little, James Lobak, Alex Moloney, Liam Haugh, Ciaran O’Callaghan, Jordan Halligan, Killian Allison, Jack McMahon. Middle row: Sean Ryan, Lucas Hayes, Michael Darcy, Luke Noonan, Diarmuid O’Brien, Daniel O’Connor (Capt), Cormac Dufficey, Reece Carey, Killian Jackman. Front row: Jack Houlihan, Archie Mills, Shane McKeogh, Martin Kennedy, Rian Connors. Missing is Sam Power.

Brilliant Ballina hit Borris-Ileigh for six

GAA: North Tipperary Under 14 'B' Hurling Final

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Ballina 6-12

Borris-Ileigh 1-7

Report: James Hayden at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

Ballina overcame a determined Borris-Ileigh challenge to be crowned North Tipperary Under 14 ‘B’ Hurling champions on Saturday afternoon.

A superb second half performance coupled with a devastating start laid the foundations for a wholly deserved and resounding Ballina victory.

Despite trailing by two points at break following a less than eventful opening half, Ballina turned on the style from the re-start, hitting 2-2 without reply inside seven minutes to rock Borris-Ileigh before going onto dominate the remainder of the half, ratting in four further goals and a raft of well-taken points.

Ballina were first to register thanks to the first of six points from play from outstanding midfielder Shane McKeogh. Borris-Ileigh hit back with efforts from the impressive Danny Corcoran and Matthew Rabbitte (free) before Michael Conneely’s speculative effort slipped through the fingers of the unlucky Archie Mills in the Ballina goal for Borris’ only goal after eight minutes.

Ballina responded with efforts from Shane McKeogh and Alex Moloney but two further frees from Matthew Rabbitte and Danny Corcoran kept Borris’ in front. Ballina kept battling though and two points from the stick of McKeogh ensured they trailed by just two at the break, 0-5 to 1-4.

Ballina re-emerged all guns blazing and within seconds they were back in front after Borris defender Emils Putnins was unlucky to deflect Rían Connors’ shot into the net in an attempt to clear his lines.

Points from McKeogh and Moloney put two between the sides before Moloney tore through the heart of the Borris-Ileigh defence for a cracking 31st minute goal. McKoegh added another point to extend Ballina’s advantage to six before a well-struck Danny Corcoran point offered some respite for Borris’.

Corcoran added two frees but Ballina were very much in the ascendancy with further points from McKeogh and Moloney. As Borris-Ileigh’s challenge faltered, Ballina turned on the style in the closing stages with the impressive Liam Haugh and James Lobak rattling in two further goals before Jordan Halligan raided twice in the closing stages to fire home two excellently struck goals and copper-fasten a thoroughly deserved win for an impressive Ballina side.

Ballina were full value for their victory and had some fine performances from Shane McKeogh, James Lobak, Adam Moloney, Liam Haugh, Rían Connors, Lucas Hayes and Daniel O’Connor while Danny Corcoran, Michael Conneely and Matthew Rabbitte caught the eye for Borris-Ileigh.

Ballina: Archie Mills; Luke Noonan, Oisin Ring, James Cawley; Lucas Hayes, Daniel O’Connor (Capt), Killian Allison; Shane McKeogh (0-7, 1f), James Lobak (1-0); Ciaran O’Callaghan, Adam Moloney (1-2), Jordan Halligan (2-0); Alex Moloney (0-1), Liam Haugh (1-2), Rían Connors (1-0).

Subs: Donnchadh Ring for O’Callaghan (37); Mikey Darcy for Noonan (41).

Borris-Ileigh: Tadhg Ryan; Emils Putnins, Ciarán Kennedy, Jack Ryan (J-Capt); James Farrell, Danny Corcoran (0-5, 4f), Cillian Butler; Michael Conneely (J-Capt 1-0), Cian Cowan; Billy Cummins, Matthew Rabbitte (0-2f), Tommy Treacy; Sean Farrell, Thomas Maher, Donagh Kennedy.

Subs: Will Treacy for S Farrell (33); Jack Ryan (L) for Maher (41).

Referee: Alan Graham (Roscrea).

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