Delaney goal key as Toome dethrone Nenagh

A man of the match performance by Darragh McCarthy help Toomevara oust holders Nenagh Eire Og in an exciting North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship semi-final on Sunday.

GAA: The Hibernian North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Toomevara 1-21

Nenagh Eire Og 0-22

Report: Liam Hogan at MacDonagh Park, Cloughjordan

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara)

SCORERS - Toomevara: Darragh McCarthy 0-12 (7 frees); Jack Delaney 1-1; Kevin McCarthy, Conor O’Meara 0-2 each; Conor O’Farrell, Liam Ryan, Mark McCarthy, Robbie Quirke 0-1 each.

Nenagh Eire Og: Jake Morris 0-6 (1 free, 1’65); Michael Heffernan 0-5 (2 frees); Cian Crowley, Filip McIntyre, James Mackey, Sean Phelan 0-2 each; Barry Heffernan, Adam Healy, Sam O’Farrell 0-1 each.

The three-in-a-row dream for Nenagh died as Toomevara never allowed them the room to play their own game, contesting every ball as if their life depended on it. Once again, it was Darragh McCarthy to the fore with the young marksman unerring with a twelve point haul, five from play. He was not alone as the Toome half forward line had the upper hand on the Nenagh half backs totalling 1-16.

But it wasn’t just down to the forwards as the Toomevara defence kept a close eye on things at the other end as the sextet never gave the holders the chance to repeat the exploits of their first round win over Lorrha where Jake Morris was supreme.

While things didn’t work for the Nenagh marksman he was still their leading scorer with six points, four from play. He had something of an off-day with frees as he missed with two from close range, something he would usually do with his eyes closed.

The sky blues had some misfortune when they lost the influential Josh Keller through injury midway through the first half. Once they conceded the goal to Jack Delaney in the eighth minute it was an uphill task but despite this they had nine players on the scoresheet, one more than the winners.

It’s all about winners and Toomevara, the North Championship kingpins are back in the decider for the first time since 2012 when they lost to Portroe, a year after winning their last final when defeating Kiladangan.

Games between Toomevara and Nenagh are always tight affairs, and the opening bouts suggested the same as scores were level three times inside seven minutes with Barry Heffernan’s ninety-metre effort the pick.

The pattern looked set to continue but a Mark McCarthy run had Nenagh in trouble and out of nothing Jack Delaney was on route to score the game’s only goal. A 65 by Jake Morris was the start of a Nenagh fightback as Cian Crowley and Jake Morris added points to level after fourteen minutes before sub Adam Healy gave Nenagh the lead.

Liam Ryan was on hand to level for Toome as they enjoyed a productive period with Jack Delaney and Darragh McCarthy (free) pointing by the 20th minute. Indeed, Toome might have been further in front, but Dermot McTiernan denied Mark McCarthy from close range. The danger remained but Paddy Murphy’s goal-line clearance was vital and Nenagh survived.

Nenagh had their chances, but the ever present Michael Heffernan was off target, as was Jake Morris with three chances (2 frees) from reliable distances before Heffernan made amends with a good point from sixty metres in the 26th minute.

The sides traded points in final minutes of the half with Darragh McCarthy pointing a free from under the stand only for Filip McIntyre reply from play. Another McCarthy point from play, after an assist by Seamus O’Farrell had Toome in front approaching the half hour. By then the game entered additional time and both Darragh McCarthy and Michael Heffernan swapped frees to see the teams retire with Toomevara leading 1-9 to 0-10.

Toomevara had introduced Conor O’Meara to the action before half time and the wing forward scored a valuable point after just twelve seconds. James Mackey replied for Nenagh after Jake Morris set him up before Toome’ went on a three point run from Darragh McCarthy (2) and Mark McCarthy.

Cian Crowley doubled his account, but Darragh McCarthy replied with a splendid point. Two Jake Morris points from play left the holders three adrift after 42 minutes. However, the next four minutes produced a blitz of scores with Darragh McCarthy pointing from play, matched by an equally good point by Jake Morris.

Kevin McCarthy doubled his tally before Michael Heffernan landed a free. The trend continued as Darragh McCarthy and Sean Phelan took turns at keeping the umpires busy, but Nenagh were within three of the leaders after Michael Heffernan scored at the end of a move with Filip McIntyre.

Another Darragh McCarthy free, after Conor O’Meara was fouled, had Toome in front by four. Michael Heffernan’s responded with a point from play on half way but Conor O’Meara had Toome were four to the good with twelve minutes remaining.

Sam O’Farrell revived Nenagh’s hopes but Darragh McCarthy had Toome back four in front once more with a free after the busy Robbie Quirke was fouled. Toome came forward again, but Dermot McTiernan was equal to Jack Delaney’s effort in the 53rd minute. Two minutes later, Quirke movedhis side five in front with what was their last score.

Excitement levels increased as both sides squandered chances, but Sean Phelan picked off his second point in the 59th minute before Michael Heffernan’s latest free had Nenagh in arrears by three as play went into added time.

Nenagh made one last attempt to salvage a draw, but Rory Brislane saved the day when he denied Sam O’Farrell from close range, but play was called back for a foul on Jake Morris. Another tension filled moment followed as everybody knew that Morris must go for goal to level but his 25-yard free, to the right of goal flew inches over the bar and with it Nenagh’s three in a row hopes as Toomevara progressed to the final.

TEAMS - Toomevara: Rory Brislane (7); Jake Ryan (7), Andrew Ryan (7), Seamus O’Farrell (7); Josh McCarthy (7), Liam Ryan (7), Barry O’Connell (6); Robbie Quirke (7), Conor O’Farrell (6); Jack Delaney (7), Kevin McCarthy (7), Darragh McCarthy (8); Mark McCarthy (6), Colm canning (6), Shane Nolan (6).

Subs: Conor O’Meara (7) for Nolan (26); Jack Ryan (6) for O’Connell (42); David Nolan (6) for Canning (50); Darren Delaney (6) for O’Meara (56 inj).

Nenagh Eire Og: Dermot McTiernan (7); Conor Ryan (7), Mark Carey (7), Mark O’Farrell (7); Mason Cawley (6), Paddy Murphy (6), Conor Hennessy (7); Michael Heffernan (7), Sam O’Farrell (7); Cian Crowley (6), James Mackey (6), Josh Keller (6); Filip McIntyre (7), Philip Hickey (6), Jake Morris (7).

Subs: Adam Healy (6) for Keller (8 inj); Sean Phelan (7) for Hickey (36); Jamie Cottrell (6) for Crowley (46).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh).