Rich talent on display in County Under 13 Hurling Finals

By Michael Dundon & Noel Dundon at St Michael’s Park, Holycross

‘A’ FINAL

Toomevara 4-10 Drom & Inch 1-7

Toomevara were crowned County Under 13 ‘A’ Hurling champions on Saturday following a brilliant display of shooting which yielded two goals in either half to break the spirit of a highly fancied Drom & Inch outfit.

Goals win games and Toomevara could have had a hatful more of them had it not been for Drom keeper Liam Butler who made a string of fine blocks - a fact which perhaps highlights the dominance of the north champions who were by far the more balanced and better team throughout the contest.

Drom & Inch were very highly rated coming into this game, but they found themselves in arrears when Aidan O'Gorman was on hand to see a goal into the net for Toomevara after just four minutes - a score which more than cancelled Sean Ryan's opening point.

It was a right battle then for ten minutes with Jayden Delaney and a super effort from long range from Oliver Duff, trading with Tadhg Fitzpatrick (2) and Cathal Lillis points to leave one between them.

However, Toomevara got a real grip on proceedings around the middle third resulting in the scores flowing from the attack which was fed with ample ammunition. They hit 1-3 in that ten minute period, with the goal coming from a deflected Theo Dunne centre, to accompany points from Aidan O'Gorman, Jayden Delaney, and O'Gorman again right on the stroke of half time.

Drom & Inch were not without their chances in the game, but erratic shooting led to a lot of frustration for them and the 2-6 to 0-4 interval deficit they faced seemed perhaps insurmountable, unless they were able to up their game considerably. Given how well Toomevara were playing, this seemed a tall ask, and so it proved when the action resumed after the break.

Aidan O'Gorman pointed immediately but a Cathal Lillis blast to the net from a free in the fifth minute gave Drom some hope. Jayden Delaney (2 frees) and Tadhg Fitzpatrick and Sean Ryan traded points, but it was Toomevara who looked more likely to find the net again in the game, with Liam Butler coming to Drom's rescue on a number of occasions.

Then, Dan Delaney had a Toomevara point before the hammer blow fell on the Drom lads when Jayden Delaney goaled in the 23rd minute to give his side a nine point advantage. It was game over for Drom and though Lillis had a point for them before the end, Jayden Delaney fired a further 1-1 to secure a well-deserved for the Greyhounds.

This was a brilliantly drilled Toomevara team, and the performances of Jayden Delaney, Aidan O'Gorman, Theo Dunne, Oliver Duff, Robbie Powell, and Dan Daly are very worthy of note. The victory certainly bodes well for Toomevara who played with real style and plenty of substance to back it up.

For Drom & Inch, Tadhg Fitzpatrick, Sean Ryan, Cathal Lillis, Oisin Loughnane and Dylan Hicks were prominent while goalkeeper Liam Butler was in top form, despite having been beaten on four occasions.

Toomevara: David McElligott; Charlie Hackett, Sean O'Brien, Neil Ryan, Conall Hartnett, Robbie Powell, Oliver Duff (0-1), Dan Daly (0-1), Donnacha Kelly, Jayden Delaney (2-5, 0-5f), Michael Fitzpatrick, Aidan O'Gorman (1-3), Theo Dunne (1-0). Subs: Tadhg Ryan, Adam Cummins, Daniel Cleary.

Drom & Inch: Liam Butler, Dylan Hicks, Eoin Sheridan, Logan Blake, Oisin Loughnane, Harry Scanlon, Sean Ryan (0-2), Cathal Lillis (1-2, 1-0f), James Barry, Tadhg Long, Tadhg Fitzpatrick (0-3f), Jack Shanahan, Ross Gleeson. Subs: Luke Kennedy, Micheal Maher, Tadhg Heaney, Daniel Coleman, Conor Stapleton.

Referee: Declan Hickey (Skeheenarinky).

‘B’ FINAL

Ballinahinch/Templederry......4-7

Loughmore/Castleiney ............1-10

James Ryan was the star turn for Ballinahinch-Templederry as they powered their way to victory over Loughmore-Castleiney in the County Under 13 ‘B’ hurling final on Saturday.

He bagged an impressive 3-5 in a player of the match performance and essentially, he was the difference between the sides in a contest determined by the North combo’s ability to get goals, although two of them were a shade fortunate.

Ryan’s three goals came in the first half, scores that put his side in the driving seat with the Mid boys gamely staying with them despite the concession of the goals.

The first came in the second minute after Mickie Loughnane had given Loughmore an early lead from a free, the Ballinahinch-Templederry boy’s free making it all the way to the net.

His side were 1-3 to 0-3 ahead when in the twelfth minute he rifled home his second and though Thomas Kennedy had a Loughmore goal two minutes later, Ryan completed his hat-trick after nineteen minutes, helping his side to an interval lead of 3-5 to 1-6.

Loughmore-Castleiney were by no means out of the game but inside seconds of resuming Ben Healy was put through by James Ryan and made no mistake to put his side in a commanding position.

In keeping with their tradition, Loughmore did not throw in the towel. They were 1-8 to 4-7 down after eighteen minutes when Thomas Kennedy had a likely goal effort saved by the excellent Tadhg Murphy in the Ballinahinch goal.

A green flag would have worked wonders for the Mid boys and while they had the last two scores of the game, points from Dylan Considine and Mickie Loughnane, the gap was too large to bridge and an excellent North defence, in which Liam Crosse and Diarmuid Lynch were key figures along with Tadhg Murphy, held firm to the finish.

The goals shaped the game and James Ryan’s influence in that regard was immense, but he was not on his own as all-round this was an excellent Ballinahinch-Templederry side with many promising young players who, in due course, will backbone their clubs at adult level. Liam Crosse, goalie Tadhg Murphy, Ben Healy, and Diarmuid Lynch were other stand-out figures in the winners’ set-up.

Loughmore-Castleiney gave it everything, but the concession of the goals proved too big a handicap. Kyle Kelly was unable to start for them due to illness and was missed. Mickie Loughnane was their big threat in attack with the work of Dylan Considine, Milo McDonald, Killian Cleary, Tom Ryan, and Thomas Kennedy also to be admired.

Ballinahinch-Templederry: Tadhg Murphy; Conal Bourke, Diarmuid Lynch, Davy Lee, Danny Crosse, Liam Crosse (0-1f), Ben Healy (1-0), Benji Browne (0-1), Jack McLoughney, Odhran Kelly, Sean O’Kelly, James Ryan (3-5,1-2f), Kayden Hannon. Subs: Jake Linehan, Thomas Moynihan.

Loughmore-Castleiney: Adam Tynan; John Sheehan, Tom Ryan, Milo McDonald; Daire Kennedy, Killian Cleary, Dylan Considine (0-1), Sean McGrath, Thomas Kennedy (1-0). Tadgh Stapleton, Mickie Loughnane (0-7, 5f), Ollie Morris, Conor Sweeney. Subs: Daniel Kennedy, Charlie Keogh.

Referee: Shane O’Neill (St Mary’s).

‘C’ FINAL

Clonakenny .............................1-11

Newport ......................0-13 (AET)

With the last puck of the game, Eoghan Shelley pointed a Clonakenny free to give his side a thrilling win over Newport in the County Under 13 ‘C’ Hurling final, which went to extra time, on Saturday.

This as an epic battle all the way, the only regret being that one side had to lose. Clonakenny put a slow start behind them to take the honours and give the club a very welcome boost looking to the future.

Newport were much the better side early on and after fourteen minutes had established a 0-5 to 0-1 lead as Clonakenny struggled to get to the pace of the game. Robert Smith opened Clonakenny’s account after three minutes, but they failed to score for a further thirteen minutes, as Cillian Flynn, Robert Long, Ronan Toohey, Rory Molloy and James Coffey all raised flags for Newport.

Eoghan Shelley’s brace of points had Clonakenny on Newport’s heels but further points from Molloy and Flynn had the North lads ahead 0-7 to 0-3 at the break. It was looking good for them but what a transformation from Clonakenny on the change-over.

Robert Smith had a point for them within seconds, followed by three Eoghan Shelley pointed frees to level the game at 0-7 each twelve minutes into the second half. Ronan Toohey pointed for a now subdued Newport after fifteen minutes. The momentum was with Clonakenny who were ahead 0-9 to 0-8 with time running out when Ronan Toohey came to Newport’s rescue with a levelling point (0-9 each) to send the game to extra time.

What proved to be the crucial score of the game came five minutes into extra time when Aaron Keeshan netted for the winners who reached half-way with a 1-10 to 0-10 advantage. Newport regained their initial form at the start of the second period. Ronan Toohey hit three points in as many minutes to tie the game at 1-10 to 0-13 but with deadlock looking likely, Clonakenny were awarded a free, forty metres out to the side, and the ever reliable Eoghan Shelly sent his shot between the posts for the winning point, the final whistle sounding on the puck-out.

The Clonakenny fans were ecstatic, understandably so. Winning a county final is a great achievement but winning it in such dramatic circumstances added immensely to the occasion. They had heroes all over the field, not least Eoghan Shelley who showed great composure to land the pressure point. Paudie Treacy was exceptional in goal with Robert Smith, Adam Keeshan, Donagh Murray and Joe Mortimer all having big games.

It was tough on this very fine Newport team who gave it everything and nobody would have begrudged them a replay. Eoin O’Gorman, Colin McBride, Ronan Toohey, Cillian Flynn, and Ronan Molloy did their utmost to tip the scales in their side’s favour.

Clonakenny: Paudie Treacy; Adam Keeshan, Donagh Murray, Joe Mortimer, Dylan Conroy (0-1), Eoghan Shelley (0-8f), Joe Whelan, Martin Murray, Tom Franks Robert Smith (0-2), Sean Ryan. Subs: TJ Breslin, Aaron Keeshan (1-0), Eibheann O Flatharta, Conor Duff.

Newport: Luke Healy; David Gaffrey, Eoin O’Gorman, Ethan Daly, Colin McBride, Eoin Earle, Robert Long (0-1), Ronan Toohey (0-7, 5f), Rory Molloy (0-2), James Coffey (0-1), Cillian Flynn (0-2). Subs: Harry Kennedy, Will Brassil

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).

‘D’ FINAL

Silvermines ...........................1-10

Holycross/Ballycahill ...........1-3

Silvermines captured the County Under 13 ‘D’ Hurling title on Saturday when they proved too strong for the hosts who gave away a lot in terms of size and age.

A competitive clash as the curtain-raiser of the four under 13 finals, patrons had plenty to cheer about, but it was mostly the visitors to St Michael's Park who were making the noise as their side were best from gun to tape and were deserving winners.

A goal from Fionn Ryan after five minutes set the tone for the 'Mines and by the halfway mark they were 1-3 to 0-2 in front, having stifled a normally potent Holycross/Ballycahill attacking division and limiting them to scraps.

Instead, it was the north champions attackers who made the most of the chances which presented and points from Fionn Ryan, Daniel Sherlock and Liam Treacy gave them the edge at the break, with Diarmuid Ryan and Philip Dwyer managing the Holycross Ballycahill scores. Holycross/Ballycahill had not found their rhythm in the game in the first half, and they needed to up the ante in the second if they could. However, it was the dominant Silvermines lads who made further waves with Liam Treacy (2) and Cormac O'Shaughnessy pointing, before Patrick Skehan had a pointed free for their opponents.

Holycross/Ballycahill were in bother at this stage and that was further exacerbated when Archie Walsh, Daniel Sherlock, Liam Treacy and Sherlock again pointed to extend the gap - there was no way back for Holycross/Ballycahill at this stage, but to their credit they stayed plugging away in the hope of a break. That break came when Patrick Skehan buried a late free to the net to act as some consolation for a disappointing outing for the mid champions.

Silvermines were the better team - far slicker on the ball; well able to take their scores; and stronger all over the field. They had fine showings from Fionn Ryan, Cormac O'Shaughnessy, Liam Treacy, Darren McKeogh, and Conor Fahy, while Michael Hynes was also very effective.

For Holycross/Ballycahill, keeper Fionn Gallagher had to be on his toes all through, while Murt Dillon, Philip Dwyer, Tony Bannon, and Damien Ryan were best.

Silvermines: James Timmons; Stevie O'Connor, Conor Fahy, Ronan Hegarty, Darren McKeogh, Michael Hynes, Cormac O'Shaughnessy (0-1), Fionn Ryan (1-1), Archie Walsh (0-1), Daniel Sherlock (0-3), Liam Treacy (0-4, 3f). Subs: Conor McManus, Jim Stone, Conor Quinn, Luke Enright.

Holycross/Ballycahill: Fionn Gallagher; Murt Dillon, Damien Ryan, Philip Dwyer (0-1f), Luke Ryan, Edvards Graholskis, Tony Bannon, Diarmuid Ryan (0-1), Patrick Skehan (1-1), Ryan Ferncombe, Hunter Donnelly. Subs: Heath Lilly, Micheal O'Meara.

Referee: Aidan Butler (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams).