Impressive Kiladangan see off Templederry challenge

Kiladangan are back into their sixth consecutive North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship decider following a thoroughly deserved eight-point semi-final victory over a battling Templederry side on Sunday evening.

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

Kiladangan 2-23

Templederry Kenyons 2-15

Report: James Hayden in Dolla

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Conor Byrne (Kiladangan)

SCORERS – Kiladangan: Billy Seymour 1-9 (0-5 frees, 0-3 65s); Conor Byrne 0-5 (1 s-cut); Paul Flynn 1-1; Tadhg Gallagher 0-3; Willie Connors 0-2; Shane Gleeson, Sean Hayes, Andy Loughnane 0-1 each.

Templederry Kenyons: Sean Ryan 1-4; Colm Murray 0-6 (5 frees); Padraig O’Leary 1-1; Gearoid Ryan 0-3; Adrian Ryan 0-1.

The reigning county champions will be seeking to atone for last year’s loss to Nenagh Éire Óg when they face Toomevara in a repeat of the 2011 decider in what will be a hugely anticipated final clash in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh next Sunday.

Kiladangan had to first overcome the challenge of a Templederry side who somewhat surprisingly dumped Kilruane MacDonaghs out of the race for Frank McGrath with a wholly deserved quarter-final victory.

Going into this clash many hurling aficionados felt John O’Meara’s charges would have just that little bit too much firepower for the Kenyons and indeed it so transpired with a dominant second half performance ensuring the ‘Dangan were through to their sixth consecutive North final on the trot.

Kiladangan were gifted a tonic start when Paul Flynn rattled the Templederry net straight from the throw-in after Alan Flynn and Billy Seymour tore through the heart of the Templederry defence.

Quick-fire points further enhanced Kiladangan’s advantage with Willie Connors on target from play before Conor Byrne flighted over a beautifully struck sideline cut.

Templederry responded in style though with Gearóid Ryan, Colm Murray, and Seán Ryan all on target before a stunning Seán Ryan goal following a sublime catch and a high looping delivery from Darragh Carey fired Templederry into a seventh minute lead. Another point from centre-forward, Padraig O’Leary enhanced the Kenyons lead before efforts from Shane Gleeson and Willie Connors levelled proceedings in the eleventh minute.

Templederry's response to Kiladangan's lightning start was impressive and with both sides struggling for supremacy Conor Byrne’s first of four points from open play in the fourteenth minute was book-ended by two well-struck Colm Murray frees before Seán Ryan restored Templederry’s two-point lead with a sublime strike on the quarter-hour mark.

Kiladangan’s response was equally as impressive however with the men in blue and gold hitting six points without reply between the 18th & 25th minutes as Templederry noticeably struggled following the fifteenth minute loss of midfielder Pio Kennedy to a hamstring injury.

Adrian Ryan, who had been on song throughout the opening half, particularly with his pinpoint accurate deliveries into Seán Ryan in the attack managed to stop the rot with a 25th minute point from range but a brace of points from placed balls (65’ and a free) from the stick of the influential Billy Seymour only served to increase Kiladangan’s advantage as the interval approached.

Indeed, Kiladangan could have bagged a second goal on 26 minutes with Tim McCutcheon expertly denying Seán Hayes with a fine point-blank save. Templederry managed to add to their tally in the closing stages thanks to a close-range Com Murray free ensuring they trailed by just four at the break, 1-9 to 1-13.

Kiladangan introduced Andy Loughnane for Darren Moran at the break and a cracking start to the second half saw them hit three points on the bounce with Billy Seymour, Tadhg Gallagher, and Conor Byrne all on target.

Templederry once again responded with efforts from Seán Ryan and Gearóid Ryan, but Conor Byrne and Tadhg Gallagher popped up once again with two fine points to keep any semblance of a Templederry revival at bay.

Kiladangan led 1-13 to 1-10 by the three-quarter hour mark and realistically they were well in control and cruising as Templederry’s challenge began to noticeably wane. Player of the match Conor Byrne added to his impressive tally with a sublime 50th minute effort before Tadhg Gallagher and Andy Loughnane linked up well to provide Billy Seymour with the chance to net Kiladangan’s second goal, a chance that he finished with the required aplomb.

With the game trundling towards its inevitable conclusion Templederry enhanced their tally with a late Gearóid Ryan point coupled with an injury time Padraig O’Leary goal, efforts that in reality only served to put a glossier appearance on the scoreboard as Kiladangan ran out convincing winners.

In defence, Kiladangan coped admirably with the best Templederry could muster with Willie Connors and David Sweeney dealing impressively with the threat of the dangerous Seán Ryan. Alan Flynn, Fergal Hayes, Joe Gallagher, and James Quigley also caught the eye while Tadhg Gallagher picked off three points from the middle of the field. In attack, Billy Seymour was once again the fulcrum upon which the Kiladangan forwards revolved with Conor Byrne and Paul Flynn were impressive in front of goal.

For Templederry, Darragh Carey, Dale Donnelly and Christy Coughlan impressed in defence while Brian Stapleton was obviously hindered by a heavily strapped calf. In attack, Adrian Ryan was impressive, particularly in the opening half while Gearóid Ryan, Colm Murray, Padraig O’Leary and scorer-in-chief, Seán Ryan also caught the eye.

TEAMS - Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (7), Fergal Hayes (7), James Quigley (7), David Sweeney (7); Willie Connors (8), Alan Flynn (8), Joe Gallagher (7); Declan McGrath (7), Tadhg Gallagher (8); Seán Hayes (7), Billy Seymour (7), Darren Moran (6); Paul Flynn (7); Shane Gleeson (7), Conor Byrne (8).

Subs: Andy Loughnane (7) for Moran (HT); Bryan McLoughney (NR) for Gleeson (57); Darren Moran for Hayes (60+3).

Templederry Kenyons: Tim McCutcheon (7), Padraig Hogan (7), Christy Coughlan (7), Dale Donnelly (7); Darragh Carey (7), Brian Stapleton (7), Tom Stapleton (7); Pio Kennedy (6), Liam McCutcheon (7); Adrian Ryan (0-1, 7), Padraig O’Leary (7), Gearoid Ryan (7); Colm Murray (7), Seán Ryan (8), Eanna Murray (6).

Subs: Paidi Ryan (6) for Kennedy (15 inj); Michael Hayes (6) for P Ryan (47); Brian Rowan (6) for Hogan (53); Conor Looby (NR) for B Stapleton (57).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).