Impressive Newport win second ever North ‘A’ title
GAA: North Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under 15 ‘A’ Hurling Final
Newport 7-14
Roscrea 0-11
Newport won only their second ever North Juvenile ‘A’ hurling title when they comprehensively overcame Roscrea in the Under 15 final in Puckane on Wednesday.
The club’s previous title was in 2020 when they were crowned Under 12 ‘A’ champions. They have, however, won a number of titles as part of amalgamations.
This year’s under 15s had already taken the County Féile crown, so they were hotly tipped to also annex the North Championship. They more than lived up to expectations, with a commanding display of skill and endeavour, which swept Roscrea aside.
The old adage that goals win matches was certainly shown to be true, with Newport raising seven green flags, full forward Ollie Roche accounting for four.
The sides were evenly matched for the early part of the game. Newport went into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after ten minutes and the tone was set midway through the half when Darragh Healy found the net. Further goals from Colm Ryan and Roche around the 20th minute helped them to a 3-8 to 0-8 interval lead. Roche bagged three more majors in the second half and Jack Landers grabbed another.
While Roscrea fought gamely, they were over-reliant on Jack Walsh for scores – he recorded seven points, six from placed balls. Jack Hayes and Luke Murphy were also prominent in Roscrea’s push for scores, but they found Stephen O’Brien, James Egan, and Tom McCabe uncompromising in a staunch Newport full back line, fronted by the commanding Aaron Lane.
Sean Carrig and Rhys Guiney defended manfully, Cian Donohoe ensured that his line was not breached, while the imposing figure of Oisin Kennedy caused many problems for the opposition around the middle of the field.
Newport were a better-balanced outfit and displayed commendable work-rate, best exemplified by the non-stop efforts of the likes of Ronan Gaffrey, Darragh Healy, Colm Ryan and James Ryan. While Roche (4-6, 0-5f) took the scoring honours, he was ably assisted by Ronan O’Mahony, Jack Landers and Andrew Coffey.
Team captain, Stephen O’Brien received the Cup from James Gould of North Tipp Coiste na nÓg.
Newport now move on to the County semi-final where they await the winners of the South Division.
Player of the Match: Ollie Roche (Newport).
Newport: Cian Donohoe; James Egan, Stephen O’Brien (Capt), Tom McCabe; Sean Carrig, Aaron Lane, Rhys Guiney; Ronan Gaffrey, Colm Ryan (1-2); Darragh Healy (1-0), Oisín Kennedy (0-4, 3f), James Ryan (0-3); Jack Landers (1-0), Ollie Roche (4-6, 0-5), Ronan O’Mahony.
Sub: Andrew Coffey for Landers.
Roscrea: Kaylum Ryan, Donnacha Graham, Charlie Carroll, Kaylum Moloney; Jayden Loughnane, Jack Hayes, Bobby Hayes; Jack Walsh (0-8, 6f), Luke Murphy (Capt); Dara Hogan (0-1), Mike Dooley (0-1), Harry O’Donoghue; Jack Ryan (0-1), Sean Moloughney, Tyler McLeish.
Subs: Cillian Moloney for Moloughney (42); Conor Fogarty for Moloney (49); Odhran Mulrooney for Graham; Ciaran Mathews for O’Donoghue (58).
Referee: Pat O’Mahony (Kiladangan).