Sweet Junior 'B' success for Knockshe

GAA: The Watch Centre North Tipperary Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship Final

Knockshegowna 1-13

Moneygall 0-14

Report: Liam Hogan in Borrisokane

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Richard King (Knockshegowna)

SCORERS – Knockshegowna: Michael Egan 1-6 (0-4 frees, 0-1 pen); Paul Kennedy 0-3 frees; Graham Gohery, Michael Cleary, Niall O’Lone, Declan Costello 0-1 each.

Moneygall: James Carroll 0-6 (4 frees); Conor Quinlan 0-3; Niall Maher, Tommy Devereux 0-2 each; Jack O’Brien 0-1.

Knockshegowna are on a roll as they defeated Moneygall in an exciting North Tipp Junior ‘B’ Championship final on Friday night to add County League success earlier this summer.

However, this latest piece of silverware means more for Knockshe who entered this final as under-dogs but North finals and Knockshegowna are unique because they seem to have belief every time they play in one since they came together as a club in 1934.

In that time, they won two North Intermediate titles and eleven North Junior ‘A’ titles, their last in 2015.

Yet for of all the successes, this latest one has to be one of the sweetest. Why? Knockshe entered a low period when they dropped down to Junior ‘B’ in 2020 and judging by the age profile of the players it looked as if the club was going to go out of existence. However, some of them returned such as Declan Costello at fifty years young and Michael Kennedy at forty-five and together with nine other players over the age of thirty, they managed to earn this latest success.

There were other factors too. Youth helped with Jack Bond, Padraig Brennan and Dan Smith playing a huge part as did the return of the excellent Graham Gohery who transferred back from Kilkenny helped also but the biggest factor was bringing Kilruane’s Jim Williams in as manager.

This victory saw so many heroes with too many to mention but Richard King, Michael Kennedy, Graham Gohery and Collie Browne stood out. King was so influential in goal. His opposite number Kevin McCormack was equally impressive and his two great saves in the second half prevented a bigger win for the Knockshe whose inaccuracy in front of goal was another hindrance with ten first half wides making life difficult when they dominated the game.

But Moneygall improved in the second half with Michael Ryan, James Carroll, Neil Maher, Tomm Deveraux and Conor Quinlan dangerous every time they won possession. Jody Troy’s absence was sorely felt but he arrived on the scene in the second half.

Knockshe were first on the scoreboard when Niall O’Lone pointed from sixty metres before Jack O’Brien levelled. Helped by the breeze, Knockshe went two clear after Paul Kennedy pointed two frees.

Such was their dominance, Knockshe should have been further in front but for the number of wides which reached five after seven minutes, both from play and placed balls. Just as well that their defence were well on top as Graham Gohery and Collie Browne were clearly demonstrating at half back.

Yet Moneygall had some positives with Michael Ryan, Gearoid Larkin, and James Carroll supplying into the Moneygall inside forward line where Tommy Devereux took his opportunity to score after an assist by Ger Kirwan.

Richard King’s extra-long puckouts were a real advantage to Knockshe and his latest helped win a penalty after Paul Lake was hauled down in the square but Michael Egan’s penalty flew over the bar.

Moneygall hit back with Conor Quinlan scoring in the tenth minute when his dipping shot was parried over the bar by Richard King. However, Knockshe continued to dominate possession, but their wides tally continued to rise.

Michael Egan’s 65 made amends but James Carroll’s free from a difficult angle followed a second Devereux point as the scores were level for the second time on nineteen minutes.

Michael Egan’s free in the 21st minute had Knockshe back in front and two minutes later Eamon Murphy had a chance of a goal but lost control of the ball at the vital moment before James Carroll had the teams level once more from a free. Michael Egan pointed a eighty metre free as Knockshe led for the fourth time, one they would not relinquish.

It increased when they were awarded a second penalty in the 30th minute after Declan Costello was fouled. This time, Costello stood over the shot but it was brilliantly saved by Kevin McCormack. Moneygall failed to clear adequately and the ball broke free for Michael Egan to find the net.

In the three minutes of added time, Moneygall pointed from James Carroll and Niall Maher left the teams two apart at the break, 1-7 to 0-8.

Knockshe increased their lead to five after Graham Gohery pointed from ninety metres with Michael Cleary adding another in the 35th minute. Knockshe were in fine form and Eamon Murphy’s shot was well saved by Kevin McCormack. The Moneygall defence had it covered well this time and with defence turned into attack with Conor Quinlan pointing from the left while James Carroll’s free in the 40th minute left Moneygall three adrift.

There was more from Moneygall but found the goalposts difficult to find while the Knockshe full backline of Dan Smith, Michael Kennedy and Jack Bond had their number on Tommy Devereux and Conor Quinlan. At the other end, Kevin McCormack produced another great save when he denied Paul Lake before play fell to Declan Costello who scored a point.

Moneygall hit back and Michael Ryan’s delivery to the edge of the small square led to a foul on Tommy Devereux which resulted in a penalty. Devereux went low but Richard King saved, and the danger was averted.

Niall Maher followed up with a great run but Jack Bond denied him and when Knockshe cleared the danger, Michael Egan’s free moved them five clear with seven minutes remaining.

But Moneygall refused to yield as their defence provided the ammunition, from the clearances by Michael Ryan and Mike Cahill, with James Carroll and Neil Maher linking up in the middle sector, which saw plenty of chances with Carroll and Conor Quinlan on target.

As play continued, Knockshe were relieved to see Michael Egan point a sixty-metre free to lead by four with two minutes remaining. Moneygall strove for that break that would give them the goal they needed but they had to settle for two points through James Carroll and Niall Maher leaving them with one last attempt but the Knockshe defence held firm to great celebrations at the final whistle.

TEAMS - Knockshegowna: Richard King (8); Padraig Brennan (6), Michael Kennedy (8), Jack Bond (7); Collie Browne (8), Graham Gohery (8), Michael Gohery (7); Niall O’Lone (7), Adrian Browne (6); Michael Cleary (6), Paul Lake (6), Paul Kennedy (7), Eamon Murphy (6), Declan Costello (6), Michael Egan (7).

Subs: Darren Browne for Murphy (Blood 10-13); Dan Smith (7) for Brennan (26 inj); Darren Browne (7) for A Browne (45); Mark O’Meara (6) for Murphy (48); Adam Stanley (NR) for Cleary (58); Adam Gorman (HR) for Costello (60).

Moneygall: Kevin McCormack (8); Dan O’Meara (7), Mike Cahill (7), Michael Hogan (7); Eoin Greene (7), Mike Ryan (8), Gearoid Larkin (7); Dylan Maher (6), James Carroll (8); Niall Maher (7), Tom Teehan (6), Ger Kirwan (6); Jack O’Brien (6), Tommy Devereux (7), Conor Quinlan (7).

Subs: Donal Carroll (6) for Maher (36); Jody Troy (6) for Teehan (50); Anto Devereux (NR) for O’Brien (60+1).

Referee: Mark Gennery (Portroe).