Impressive Portroe crowned North champions

GAA: Walsh’s of Nenagh North Tipperary Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling Final

Portroe 1-16

Ballinahinch/Templederry 1-10

Report: James Hayden in Toomevara

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: AJ Willis (Portroe)

SCORERS – Portroe: AJ Willis 0-10 (5 frees); Diarmuid Boyle 1-2; Kieran McKeogh, Oisin O’Connor 0-2 each.

Ballinahinch/Templederry: Adam Ryan 1-2; Sean Ryan 0-4 (2 frees); Karl Kelly, Mikey Ryan, Colm Murray, Charlie Ward 0-1 each.

Portroe were crowned North Tipperary Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling champions following an impressive victory over Ballinahinch/Templederry in what proved an entertaining decider on Saturday afternoon.

Portroe’s last victory at this grade came a decade ago when they overcame Borrisokane in the 2011 final while Ballinahinch/Templederry’s victory last came in 2016 when they registered a three-point win over Burgess.

Both sides went into this encounter fancying their chances after Portroe dismissed the challenge of a strong Kilruane side in the quarter-final before accounting for a fancied Borrisokane outfit in the semi-final. Ballinahinch/Templederry overcame Silvermines and Burgess in their run to the final and were tipped by many to have a serious tilt at lifting the Peter Nolan Cup.

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed by both sides and the large attendance prior to throw-in following the recent sad and sudden passing of well-known former Portroe secretary, player and referee, Patrick Malone. The minute’s silence was also observed in memory of well-known Toomevara clubman and referee, Kieran ‘Festy’ Delaney who also passed away suddenly recently.

Portroe took the game to Ballinahinch/Templederry right from the get-go and with the aid of a biting breeze they set about dismantling the Ballinahinch/Templederry defence. Captain Diarmuid Boyle and centre-forward AJ Willis proved far too hot to handle while the hugely impressive Conor O’Brien at centre-back and Brian Keating at full-back provided the platform for a huge percentage of Portroe’s attacks.

The boys in green and gold boasted a stronger spine to their team while Ballinahinch/Templederry were obviously reliant on the scoring ability of ace marksman and captain Seán Ryan. Ryan was first to register with a second minute free for the combination side, but it would be a further 22 minutes before Ballinahinch/Templederry scored again.

In the intervening period Portroe peppered the Ballinahinch/Templederry goal. Scorer-in-chief AJ Willis fired over successive frees before angling over a beautifully struck point from play in the tenth minute. Port’ registered seven wides in that opening period also and Diarmuid Boyle almost netted from close-range following great approach play from Shane Keating and AJ Willis.

Somehow the Ballinahinch/Templederry goal managed to remain intact in the midst of Port’s opening ten-minute barrage but excellent points from corner-forwards, Kieran McKeogh and Oisín O’Connor fired Port’ four clear, before Ballinahinch/Templederry almost netted against the run of play after Joey Kelly brought the best out of Luke Creamer in the Portroe goal.

Portroe surged back up field though with Conor O’Brien’s long high delivery causing problems for Sean Collins in the Ballinahinch/Templederry goal. The in-rushing Diarmuid Boyle seized on the loose sliotar and bundled it to the back of the Ballinahinch/Templederry net to put Port’ well and truly in the driving seat, leading by 1-5 to 0-1 at the first water-break.

Further points from AJ Willis and Diarmuid Boyle served to extend Port’s advantage before Ballinahinch/Templederry hit back with a long-range Mikey Ryan effort coupled with a 26th minute Seán Ryan free.

Credit to Ballinahinch/Templederry they really fought their way back into contention with a snapshot opportunist goal on 28 minutes from midfielder Adam Ryan cutting the deficit to five, 1-3 to 1-8.

Charlie Ward fired over a sublime effort from the toes of the stand side-line to leave just four between the sides as the interval approached. AJ Wills stepped up to steady the Port’ ship though right on the cusp of half-time to ensure Portroe led 1-9 to 1-4 at the break.

The third quarter proved a competitive affair with AJ Willis (free) and Colm Murray exchanging points before Willis arrowed over a 39th minute free from range. Adam Ryan responded with a brace in the 40th & 44th minutes to leave four between the sides once more and as both sides battled for supremacy it was still all to play for at the second-half water-break with Port’ holding a 1-11 to 1-7 lead.

Three points on the bounce following the resumption of hostilities prove hugely influential for Port’ and in essence this barrage finally killed off the Ballinahinch/Templederry challenge.

Kieran McKeogh set up AJ Willis for the first before Willis gathered Conor O’Brien’s free for the second on 51 minutes. Less than sixty seconds later Oisín O’Connor fired Portroe into a commanding seven-point advantage with a little over ten minutes to go.

Ballinahinch/Templederry battled on gamely in the latter stages with Karl Kelly finding his range but Port’ responded with points from Kieran McKeogh and AJ Willis (free). Seán Ryan fired over two late points, but it mattered as Portroe ran out deserving six-point winners.

Portroe were impressive from one straight through to fifteen but Brain Keating, Conor O’Brien, AJ Willis and Diarmuid Boyle were very much to the fore while Karl Kelly, Mikey Ryan, Adam Ryan, and Sean Ryan caught the eye for Ballinahinch/Templederry.

TEAMS - Portroe: Luke Creamer (7), Eoin Maher (7), Brian Keating (8), Adrian O’Halloran (7); Ben O’Connor (7), Conor O’Brien (8), Shane Keating (8); John Moroney (7), James Ferris (7); Barry Connaughton (7), AJ Willis (8), Andrew Ferris (7); Kieran McKeogh (7). Diarmuid Boyle (Capt, 8), Oisin O’Connor (7).

Sub: Mark Madden (7) for Connaughton (45).

Ballinahinch/Templederry: Sean Collins (7), James Lynch (7), Cathal Ryan (7), Michael Hayes (7); Harry Stapleton (7), Karl Kelly (7); Mikey Ryan (8); Cathal O’Brien (7), Adam Ryan (7); Colm Murray (7), Brian Keane (7), Charlie Ward (7); Liam King (7), Sean Ryan (Capt, 8), Joey Kelly (7).

Subs: Evan Kearns (7) for O’Brien (50); Mark Kinane (NR) for Hayes (53); Darragh Murray (NR) for Ward (60+3).

Referee: Christy McLoughlin (Nenagh Éire Óg).