North Tipperary GAA Affairs
By Michael Kennedy PRO
Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship
In Group 1, Ballina had a 3-20 to 1-16 victory over Burgess in Kilcoleman on Sunday.
The game began very competitively with Burgess starting the better team early on thanks with Joe O’Dwyer and Luke Power to the fore, and a David Nealon goal helping them to a five point half time lead.
Ballina emerged a different team in the second half and hit the net immediately from the throw in from Gary Slevin, a further two second half goals from Slevin and Charlie King put a huge dent in the Burgess confidence. Having already lost Paul Cahalan to a shoulder injury in round 1, they lost Joe O’Dwyer to injury in the second half as Ballina ran out comfortable winners.
Kilruane MacDonaghs made it two wins from two with a 0-21 to 0-14 win over Nenagh Eire Og. Kilruane held a four point half time lead, mainly thanks to Cillian Healy and Brian O’Meara on dead-balls and pushed on in the second half with the best for the victors being Eamon Coonan, Tommy O’Meara and Cillian Healy.
Kilruane are now all but qualified for the semi-final with the final spot likely to be a battle between Ballina and Nenagh Eire Og.
In Group 2, Borris-Ileigh confirmed their spot in the semi-finals with a cracking 4-13 to 1-20 win over Toomevara.
Toome started the better and a long range free from Darragh McCarthy found its way to the net after four minutes. Having been in control for the first half, Toome conceded 2-2 on the stroke of half time to leave the half time score at 3-5 to 1-10 to Borris-Ileigh, the Borris goals scored by Darragh Chute (2) and a Paddy McCormack penalty.
Toome went ahead by three points in the second half thanks to Darragh McCarthy and Patrick Hackett before going down to fourteen men following a red card for Tony Dunne. A 59th minute goal for Borris-Ileigh put them two ahead going down the stretch and they closed the game out to hold on for victory.
Darragh McCarthy hit 1-11 for Toome with three points each for Cody Quirke and Austin Duff but the turning of the game was the second half introduction of Tom Delaney for Borris-Ileigh who had a huge impact.
Moneygall stayed unbeaten with a 3-16 to 0-14 win over Silvermines.
Three first half goals were the difference for Moneygall thanks to Eoghan Doughan (2) and Dylan Sayers. Paul Shanahan and Sean Nolan kept the ‘Mines ticking over leaving the score 3-8 to 0-7 at half time. The goals were the difference with only one point separating the sides in the second half in Moneygall’s favour, Ronan Cunneen and Danny Quinn were the main scorers for the ‘Mines while for Moneygall, Shay Gleeson and Eoghan Doughan were the main men.
Silvermines have conceded their final game v Toomevara so Moneygall take on Borris-Ileigh knowing a draw or a win guarantees them a semi-final win alongside Borris.
Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling Championship
In Group 1, there were strong wins for both Roscrea who defeated Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-28 to 0-6 while Newport had a 4-17 to 0-14 win over Portroe.
In Group 2, Kiladangan had 2-15 to 0-19 victory over Naomh Eoin in Borrisokane.
Both sides traded points for large periods until a long range Evan Sherlock free dropped into the net to give Kiladangan a two point lead. A 43rd minute penalty from Tom Boland gave Kiladangan the second half platform they needed to hold on to claim the win.
Ballinahinch/Templederry prevailed over Lorrha 2-18 to 1-11 with the result meaning Lorrha are now unable to qualify for the semi-finals ahead of their final game against Naomh Eoin with the other three teams in the group still battling for the last 2 spots.
County Championships
Best of luck to both Ballina and Newport as they repeat the North final this Saturday, October 24th at 1.30pm in MacDonagh Park Nenagh in the County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Final.
Congratulations to Ballina who won the County Junior ‘C’ Hurling Final on Saturday.
Under 16 Football
The U16 Football Championships will commence this weekend with both grades running on a straight knockout basis.
In the ‘A’, there is just one quarter final with Burgess taking on Kilruane MacDonaghs on Sunday 25th October in Kilcoleman at 3.00pm.
The winners will take on Newport in the semi-final with Toomevara playing Nenagh Eire Og in the other with these games fixed for November 1st.
In the ‘B’ quarter finals on Saturday 24th, Roscrea take on Kiladangan in Roscrea, while on Sunday 25th, Portroe take on Lorrha in Portroe and Naomh Eoin take on Silvermines in Borrisokane, with all games at 3.00pm. Ballina await the winners in the semi-finals.