Roscrea win North Junior ‘A’ Hurling League in dramatic finale

GAA: North Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Hurling League Final

Roscrea 1-23

Nenagh Eire Og 2-19

Report: Liam Hogan in Borrisokane

There was plenty of thrills and spills, and a welter of excitement in the dying minutes as Roscrea survived to claim a dramatic one-point victory over Nenagh Eire Og in the North Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Hurling League Final on Friday evening.

In a repeat of the 2021 decider, Roscrea appeared to be about to collect their fifth title when full forward Conor Dooley fired over in the second minute of added time to take the lead, completing a great recovery after trailing by eight points with twenty minutes remaining.

The introduction of the experienced Darren O’Connor at half back was an inspired move by Roscrea but as the game moved deep into added time, referee Tom McGlinchey allowed another ninety seconds and Nenagh produced one more attack which yielded a penalty. Take the point and go to extra time or go for the goal and win, and up came Nenagh goalkeeper Mark Tuite to take the shot and he bravely went for power but unfortunately his effort went inches wide and Roscrea had survived with their supporters rejoicing to the sound of the final soon after.

There was real disappointment for Nenagh who had hoped to win their first Junior League title in ten years but it a remarkable win for Roscrea who have three wins to their name in the last six years after victories in 2018, 2021 and ’23, plus had come through extra time in the semi-final against Toomevara only four days previous.

Nenagh enjoyed a positive opening twenty minutes with thanks to a perfect start with Ben West’s opening point quickly followed by a goal from full forward Anthony Walsh.

Liam Seacy opened Roscrea’s account with his first of thirteen points from an unerring display of free-taking. However, Nenagh continued to dominate as Anthony Walsh’s two points from play quickly assisted by another Ben West score saw them six in front after twelve minutes, 1-4 to 0-1.

If Ben West was on song, so too was his midfield partner Tauri Shayanewako as they duo had scored six points in the first half (West scoring 0-4 including a 65) with Darragh Walsh and Jamie Cottrell also scoring while Roscrea had five replies from play through Conor Phelan, Conor Donovan, Dylan Hogan, Sam Conlon Jason Gilmartin to put Nenagh 1-11 to 0-7 in front with three minutes to half time.

The game seemed to be slipping from Roscrea’s grip, but Sam Conlon should have done better with a goal at his mercy in the 28th minute but Mark Tuite saved at the expense of a 65 which Liam Seacy converted before added two late frees to see his tally increase to five and his team trail 1-11 to 0-10 at half time.

There were four points scored in the opening two minutes of the second half both sides scoring two apiece. An Anthony Walsh free increased Nenagh’s lead to five in the 35th minute and they were really in the driving seat when a well taken Aodhan O’Connor goal made it 2-14 to 0-12 on 37 minutes.

Scores were coming frequently at both ends and after Anthony Walsh’s tally reached 1-5 the light blues led 2-16 to 0-14 by 41st minute. Roscrea were in trouble and after introducing two substitutes at half time they raised the bar when the experienced Darren O’Connor to the fray and the centre back was about to make use of his vast experience secured from playing senior hurling over the last decade. His presence was invaluable and over the next eight minutes they scored 1-6 without reply with Seacy on target with four frees, assisted by a point each from Conor Phelan out on the wing, and Jason Gilmartin before Sam Conlon steered home to the net and give Roscrea the lead for the first time, 1-20 to 2-16 after fifty minutes.

However, Nenagh’s best forward Aodhan O’Connor levelled matters two minutes later, but Roscrea were in the ascendency as Conor Donovan edged them in front before Liam Seacy had them two in front, two minutes later.

Yet, Nenagh had much left in the tank, and they narrowed the gap to one through Cian Connolly from eighty metres and in search of an equaliser Ben West levelled on the hour mark.

Ninety seconds later, Conor Dooley scored, and Roscrea looked winners until the drama of the penalty, but a brave Mark Tuite went for power only to see his whizz wide of the post. Roscrea had survived.

TEAMS - Roscrea: Enda Moloney (7); Lee Doran (6), Conor Bergin (6), Brian O’Rourke (6); Lee Cashin (6), Conor Phelan (7), Conor Shanahan (7); James Synott (7), Owen Tynan (7); Conor Donovan (7), Sam Conlon (7), Liam Seacy (8); Dylan Hogan (6), Conor Dooley (7), Jason Gilmartin (7).

Subs: Graham Hogan (7) for O’Rourke (HT); Diarmuid McLoughlin (7) for Hogan (HT); Darren O’Connor (8) for Cashin (46).

Nenagh Eire Og: Mark Tuite (7); Mark O’Farrell (6), Brian Tuite (6), Billy Moran (6); Cian Connolly (7), Niall Madden (7), Conor Bonar (7); Tauri Shayanewako (8), Ben West (8); Jamie Cottrell (6), Cian Crowley (6), Sean Phelan (7); Aodán O’Connor (7), Anthony Walsh (7), Darragh Walsh (6).

Subs: Stevie Hallinan (6) for Crowley (46); Dan O’Donovan (6) for Cottrell (53).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).