Fifth Junior title in six years for Toomevara

GAA: Watch Centre North Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Final

Toomevara 3-19

Borris-Ileigh 2-10

Report: Liam Hogan in Dolla

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Conor O’Farrell (Toomevara)

SCORERS – Toomevara: Shane Nolan 1-8 (0-4 frees); Robert Delaney 1-2; Conor O’Farrell 0-3; Jim Duignan 1-0; Jim Shanahan, Paddy Grace, David Nolan 0-2 each.

Borris-Ileigh: Jody Harkin 1-5 (1-3 frees, 0-1 65); Jack Fitzgerald 0-3 (2 frees); David O’Connor 1-0; Shane McCormack, Danny Ryan 0-1 each.

It was the experience of winning finals that saw Toomevara to a fifth North Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship title in six years and a fourteenth in all as they overcame neighbours Borris-Ileigh in the final on Friday.

Toomevara overcame a sluggish first half before rising to the task in the second to produce a massive 2-11 against a young and brave Borris-Ileigh side that at times displayed rays of hope with a comeback but, Toome had all the answers.

Toomevara had many leaders, not least Conor O’Farrell who was excellent at midfield while Shane Nolan (1-8) and Jim Duignan did very well in attack while Cathal Kennedy, Seamus O’Farrell, Colin Hall, Darragh Spillane never let the side down. Even the Toome bench had the answers as Paddy Grace and David Nolan scored two points each. Conor Grace never put a foot wrong in goal and produced three very good saves.

His Borris-Ileigh counterpart Cathal Bourke played very well as did his full backline especially John McGrath and Matthew Stapleton in the backline. Jody Harking never gave up while Shane McCormack, Shane Kenny had their moments while Jack Fitzgerald and Jack Hogan stood out.

A brisk opening six minutes produced four scores, three to Toomevara starting with a Robert Delaney point which was quickly matched by Shane McCormack from midway before Shane Nolan scored twice, the second from play.

Borris-Ileigh began to find their way with Jack Hogan racing in from the wing and forcing Conor Grace to a great save which yielded a 65 which Jody Harkin converted. Seconds later, Harkin levelled matters with a free on the same spot.

Toomevara came back once more where Robert Delaney reached high to win a delivery from Conor Delaney before heading for goal and gave Cathal Bourke no chance.

A close range free by Jack Fitzgerald cut the margin to two in the 16th minute which coincided with the first water-break. When play resumed, Toome upped the pace with Jim Shanahan picking of a great score from the wing quickly followed by more white flags by Conor O’Farrell on half way with Shane Nolan (free), Shanahan and another Nolan free giving Toome a 1-9 to 0-5 lead at half time.

A slight breeze whipped up at half time to assist Toomevara in the second half. However, they didn’t need any assistance as Paddy Grace scored a point quickly followed by another by Shane Nolan.

Yet, Borris-Ileigh displayed some promise. Michael Kennedy went long for Jack Hogan to collect and provide space for Danny Ryan to score, however, quick points from the excellent Conor O’Farrell and David Nolan put Toome ten in front with 37 minutes gone.

With Jack Fitzgerald pointing two frees either side of a well-taken Robert Delaney score, there was plenty encouragement for Borris to force a close finish and their followers must have been delighted to see David O’Connor score a well-taken goal in the 43rd minute. With Fitzgerald quickly adding another free, the five-point deficit looked manageable.

However, Toomevara had no mercy and their quickness around the field had Borris in bother and when the maroons defence messed up a clearance from their own goal area the very busy Jim Duignan pounced to steer a ground shot to the net.

At the other end, Conor Grace produced a great stop from a close range free by Jody Harkin and when Toome recovered it was Conor O’Farrell on hand to score a long-range effort which saw the margin begin to grow once more.

With that the final water-break arrived and despite conceding a point free to Jody Harkin, it was Toome on the march with the team adding 1-4 without reply as Shane Nolan picked off 1-3 while Paddy Grace added his second point.

Yet, there was no stopping Borris-Ileigh in terms of trying to regain lost ground and Jody Harkin’s goal from a close range free was a consolation score.

Toomevara were the deserving winners and now they face a county quarter final. It’s time they won the county final.

Meanwhile, Borris-Ileigh, who were defeated by Nenagh in last year’s final, now have the value of a county quarter final appearance.

TEAMS - Toomevara: Conor Grace (8); Cathal Kennedy (7), Seamus O’Farrell (7), Mark Grace (7); Colin Hall (7), Niall O’Farrell (Capt, 7), Darragh Spillane (7); Conor Delaney (7), Conor O’Farrell (; Shane Nolan (8), James Maher (6), Jim Duignan (8); Kieran Grace (6), Robert Delaney (7), Jim Shanahan (7).

Subs: Paddy Grace for Spillane (blood 11-13); Paddy Grace (7) for Maher (24); David Nolan (7) for K Grace (27); Daniel Farrell (7) for N O’Farrell (39 inj); Aidan Cahill (7) for Delaney (49); Eoin Grace (NR) for Duignan (59).

Borris-Ileigh: Cathal Bourke (7); John McGrath (8), Matthew Stapleton (7), Cathal Hogan (7); Michael Kennedy (7), Jody Harkin (7), Colm Boyle (7); Bill O’Connell (6), Shane McCormack (Capt, 6); David O’Connor (6), Shane Kenny (7), Jack Hogan (7); Michael Carey (6), Danny Ryan (6), Jack Fitzgerald (7).

Subs: Vincent Stapleton (7) for Carey (38); Damien Dunne (6) for McCormack (51); Fintan Holland (6) for O’Connor (53).

Referee: Pater Carroll (Burgess).