Dunne inspires Nenagh progression in Dean Ryan Cup

GAA: TUS Munster Post Primary Schools Under 17 ‘A’ Hurling – Dean Ryan Cup Quarter Final

St Joseph’s CS, Nenagh 2-21

Cashel CS 1-17

Report: Michael Dundon at The Ragg

County minor KJ Dunne was the driving force as St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh got the better of Cashel Community School in the Dean Ryan Cup (Munster PPS Under 17 ‘A’ Hurling) quarter final last Wednesday.

The Toomevara youngster scored 1-11, 1-5 from play, in a man of the match performance, sending the Nenagh boys into the semi-final brimming with confidence after a quality showing against a Cashel outfit that was not seven points an inferior team.

An absorbing contest between the Tipperary rivals saw each enjoy periods of supremacy but a strong third quarter tipped the scales in Nenagh’s favour and left Cashel striving to bridge the gap in an exciting finish.

Nenagh got off the ideal start when, after two minutes, Adam Quigley reacted sharpest when a Dunne free fell short, to shoot home the opening goal. After that though, Cashel took control, and with midfielder Ben Fitzgerald impeccable from frees, they pushed ahead 0-6 to 1-2 by the end of the first quarter.

They added two points by the twentieth minute but then a hat-trick of Dunne frees levelled the game with five minutes to half-time, 1-5 to 0-8. Once more, Cashel took up the running, Ben Fitzgerald pointing twice with another from wingback Jude Griffin but before the break, Nenagh were back on terms, 1-9 to 0-12, Adam Quigley, Dunne and Michael Hutchinson, the marksmen.

It was exciting stuff, with Cashel having a slight edge, but Nenagh would have the light breeze in their favour in the second half and had to be happy with their situation at the interval.

In the opening quarter of the second half, Nenagh, with four points from Dunne and another from sub Donagh Carmody edged three points clear (1-14 to 0-14), Ben Fitzgerald and Bobby McLoughlin on target for Cashel.

After fifty minutes that was still the difference (1-16 to 0-16) but in a productive five minutes Nenagh took command with unanswered points from Dunne, Hutchinson, James O’Dwyer and Adam Quigley.

With the winning post in sight they looked safe but Cashel were not surrendering and mustered a final effort to try to bridge the gap. They needed a goal but Nenagh stood firm in the face of a sustained onslaught until Cian Fogarty netted to leave just four points in it, 1-21 to 1-17 in injury time.

Cashel didn’t have time to build on that score as, straight from the puck-out, Nenagh surged up field for KJ Dunne to rifle home a goal that put the issue beyond all doubt.

So, the bragging rights in Tipperary go to Nenagh CBS but silverware has yet to be acquired. This is a fine team with lots of potential and could go the whole way.

KJ Dunne is their key man in attack but Michael Hutchinson also had a big game with six points from play. Ronan Quinn, Tadhg Teefy, Adam Quigley, Craig McKenna also made important contributions to the success.

Cashel Community School can have no complaint. They contributed a lot to a fine game but did not have the incisiveness of their rivals in front of goal. Midfielder Ben Fitzgerald was their top man but Bobby McLoughlin, Cillian Byrne, Jude Griffin, and Cian Fogarty also did their utmost to advance the Cashel cause.

Player of the Match: KJ Dunne (Nenagh CBS)

St. Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh: Shane O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Daniel Boland (Kiladangan), Callum Ryan (Toomevara), Harry Walsh (Nenagh Eire Og); Tadhg Teefy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Craig McKenna (Portroe), Ronan Quinn (Nenagh Eire Og); Oisin Hogan (Burgess), Joe Fahey (Templederry Kenyons); Kristers Janitens (Nenagh Eire Og), James O’Dwyer (Kiladangan 0-1), Fionn O’Shaughnessy (Silvermines); Michael Hutchinson (Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-6), KJ Dunne(Toomevara 1-11, 0-6f), Adam Quigley (Nenagh Eire Og 1-2).

Subs: Oliver Duff (Toomevara) for Fahey (19); Donagh Carmody (Kiladangan 0-1) for Janitens (39); Senan O’Leary (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for O’Shaughnessy (43).

Cashel Community School: Cian Buckley (Knockavilla-D Kickhams); David Colville (Rosegreen), Scott Underwood (Cashel KC), Adam O’Halloran (Cashel KC); Jude Griffin (Clerihan 0-3), Bobby McLoughlin (Boherlahan-Dualla 0-2), Matthew McGrath (Rockwell Rovers); Ben Fitzgerald (Cashel KC 0-10, 8f), Robert Kelly (Cashel KC); Cian Fogarty (Boherlahan-Dualla 1-0), Shane Butler (Knockavilla-D Kickhams), Cillian Byrne (Golden Kilfeacle 0-1); MJ Kennedy (Cashel KC), Cathal Bonnar (Cashel KC), Harry Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla 0-1).

Subs: Niall Quinlan (Boherlahan-Dualla) for O’Halloran (37); Will Lonergan (Knockavilla-D Kickhams) for Kelly (40).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport)