Impressive Kilruane cruise to North Minor 'A' Hurling title

GAA: North Tipperary Coiste na nOg Minor (Under 17) ‘A’ Hurling Final

Kilruane MacDonagh 1-22

Toomevara 1-18

Report: Liam Hogan in Puckane

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs).

SCORERS – Kilruane MacDonaghs: Michael Cleary 0-8 (3 frees, 1’65); Tommy O’Meara 1-2; Shane Cleary 0-3 (1 free); Johnny Naughnane, Charlie Kennedy, Michael Hennelly 0-2 each; Cillian Healy, Ray Quinlivan, Hugo Healy 0-1 each.

Toomevara: Darragh Hayes 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2 frees); Jack Hogan 0-3 (2 frees); Patrick Hackett 0-2 (1 free), Seamus Farrell 0-1.

The manner of this victory surprised the most fervent of Kilruane MacDonaghs followers as their young hurlers produced the complete performance when overcoming neighbours Toomevara in the North Tipperary Minor ‘A’ Hurling Final last Wednesday.

Playing with pace and good movement, the size of the win was surprising as two years ago, Toomevara won the North U15 ‘A’ final, 1-13 to 1-10. However, it was Kilruane who were the better side here and led 0-11 to 0-2 at half time, and it could have been much more but for the nine wides playing with the aid of a stiff breeze.

The second half was much the same with Toomevara staging a mini rally midway through but lack of firepower was evident with 1-5 of their tally coming from placed balls with goalkeeper Darragh Hayes top scorer with 1-2.

Perhaps Toomevara had an off day, but Austin Duff and Patrick Hackett were well marshalled by the Kilruane defence where Cormac Kennedy was effective as sweeper behind the close marking Paul Molloy and Cormac Gaynor in the half backline while centre back Shane Cleary could afford the luxury of moving forward on occasion.

He was one of the standout players alongside Michael Cleary and Tommy O’Meara. O’Meara’s ability to field high ball was admirable and it troubled the Toome defence. Elsewhere there was much to admire in Jack Quinlisk, Fearghal Doheny, Cathal McIntyre, Tommy Burris, Johnny Naughnane and Michael Hennelly. Andrew Austin was brave in goal.

The Toomevara defence did as well as they could cope with Cormac Frend a star in the making. Tony Dunne and Evan Doyle never gave up in front of their reliable goalkeeper Darragh Hayes. Jack Ryan, Seamus Farrell, Cody Quirke, and Patrick Hackett (sweeper) did their best to shore up the defence while with Jack Hogan and Duff had their moments up front.

The game was ten seconds old when Tommy Burris opened the scoring from almost half way. Johnny Naughnane added a second in the third minute before Jack Hogan had Toome on the scoreboard two minutes later.

Kilruane looked determined to play the game on their terms as their increasing number of attacks (despite hitting four wides) saw Michael Cleary and Michael Hennelly score back-to-back points to increase their lead to four after ten minutes. There was more erratic shooting, but the lead increased to eight thanks to four unanswered points by Tommy O’Meara, Michael Hennelly and a brace by Michael Cleary including a 65.

It wasn’t for the want of trying for the Greyhounds who eventually found the target through a Jack Hogan free, but Kilruane finished the half on top with Naughnane and Charlie Kennedy grabbing a point each to see them in front by nine at the break.

There was no let-up in the tempo as the lead increased by two as Michael Cleary pointed a free from half way before picking up his fourth from play. A minute later, Toome had their first score of the half with Jack Hogan scoring his third from a free. A Michael Cleary’s free and Tommy O’Meara’s score from play was Kilruane’s response before Seamus Farrell hit one back for Toome.

Darragh Hayes hit a long range free, but Kilruane hit three unanswered points through Charlie Kennedy, Shane Cleary (free) and substitute Ray Quinlivan in the 48th minute. Two minutes later, Toome received a lifeline when Darragh Hayes blasted a penalty to the net before pointing a free from half way as ten points separated the teams with seven minutes remaining.

As play continued, Hugo Healy became Kilruane’s tenth scorer. Patrick Hackett replied with a free before Kilruane sealed the win with Tommy O’Meara scoring a goal in the 56th minute following a move including Hennelly and Cillian Healy.

Kilruane continued on the front foot as Shane Cleary picked off the best score of the game following an electrifying run where he managed to hop the ball off the ground, not once but twice in his lengthy run from the heart of his defence.

With play in added time, came the trimmings with Patrick Hackett’s score overlapped by that of Michael Cleary who brought his tally to eight at the end of a good evenings work for Kilruane.

TEAMS - Kilruane MacDonaghs: Andrew Austin; Jack Quinlisk, Fearghal Doheny, Cathal McIntyre; Paul Molloy, Shane Cleary, Cormac Gaynor; Tommy Burris, Cormac Kennedy; Cillian Healy, Johnny Naughnane, Michael Cleary (Capt); Charlie Kennedy, Tommy O’Meara, Michael Hennelly.

Subs: Ray Quinlivan for Naughnane (45); Hugo Healy for Kennedy (51); Pauric Nevin for C Healy (58); William Jones for O’Meara (59); Fiachradh Ahearne Woods for Hennelly (59).

Toomevara: Darragh Hayes; Cormac Frend, Tony Dunne, Evan Doyle; Seamus Farrell, Jack Ryan, Cody Quirke; Jack McCormack, Ciaran Troy; Jack Hogan, Patrick Hackett, Austin Duff (Capt); Liam Hackett, Michael Ryan, Dylan Delaney.

Subs: K J Dunne for McCormack (22); Alex Ryan for Delaney (42); Jack Carroll for Doyle (48); Adam Whyte for Farrell (55); Shane Conway for M Ryan (59).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).