Donach O’Donnell’s fourteen-man Toomevara team, inspired by the outstanding free-taking of Ken Dunne, enjoyed a two-point win over Nenagh Éire Óg at MacDonagh Park, Cloughjordan on Sunday evening – corner-forward Paul Ryan fired home a goal in the 61st minute which sealed the Blues’ fate.
Hibernian Inn North Tipperary
Senior Hurling Championship
Nenagh Éire Óg 0-17 Toomevara 1-16
Éire Óg took the lead thanks to early points which came courtesy of Tommy Heffernan and Conor Ryan. David Young and Ken Dunne (free) responded for Toome and the sides were locked on 0-2 apiece by the eighth minute.
The Blues then raced into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the 12th minute thanks to points from Andrew Coffey, Paddy Murphy, Barry Heffernan and Shane Maher. Joey McLoughney and Ken Dunne (free) hit back for the Greyhounds before Toome ‘keeper Aidan Cahill saved well from Andrew Coffey at his near post.
A Paddy Murphy point in the 16th minute preceded a Toomevara goal chance which John Delaney fired narrowly wide before Andrew Coffey handed Éire Óg a 0-8 to 0-4 lead.
Following a melee in the 19th minute, which saw the game interrupted for four minutes, Toomevara’s Paddy Tuohy was shown a straight red card.
A Ken Dunne free in the 25th minute left three between the sides and although Andrew Coffey hit back for the Blues another Ken Dunne point, this time from play, left three between them. A Conor Ryan effort was cancelled out late in the half by a Ken Dunne free to leave three between at the break (0-10 to 0-7).
Andrew Coffey and Ken Dunne (free) traded points during the opening minutes of the second half before a point from Colm Canning in the 35th minute left two in it (0-11 to 0-9).
Donnacha Quinn and Ken Dunne then traded placed balls before a masterful long-range strike from the stick of John O’Brien in the 44th minute left one between them and Toome sensing an upset (0-12 to 0-11).
Three minutes later Joey McLoughney equalised, but with ten minutes to play Tommy Heffernan forced Éire Óg back into the lead.
A Ken Dunne free tied it up once more before second half substitute Michael Heffernan helped the Blues back in front. Paddy Murphy added another and with seven minutes to play Éire Óg led 0-15 to 0-13.
Two Ken Dunne strikes (one free, one ’65) got the Greyhounds back on terms before a Colm Canning point in the 57th minute presented Toomevara with a precious 0-16 to 0-15 lead.
Éire Óg responded well with points from Pearse Morris and Tommy Heffernan to take a 0-17 to 0-16 advantage into second half injury time.
There was still time for a grandstand finalé and when Ken Dunne’s long-range free from his own 65-yard line in the 61st minute fell short Paul Ryan buried a breaking ball.
Nenagh Éire Óg would like to wish Toomevara all the very best in the second round of the north Tipperary senior hurling championship.
In the second round of the Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Nenagh Éire Óg have been drawn against Templederry Kenyons – the full draw for the second round is: Templederry Kenyons v Nenagh Éire Óg, Lorrha-Dorrha v Borris-Ileigh, Silvermines v Borrisokane, Kildangan v Moneygall, Toomevara v Roscrea, Portroe v Burgess & Kilruane MacDonagh’s v Ballina.
Those fixtures are expected to take place over the coming fourteen days. Details of the Blues’ game against Templederry will be released in due course.
Nenagh Éire Óg: Michael McNamara, Mark Flannery, Hugh Maloney, John Brennan, Dáire Quinn, Barry Heffernan (0-1), Billy Heffernan, Conor Ryan (0-2), Killian Gleeson, Paddy Murphy (0-3), Tommy Heffernan (0-3), Andrew Coffey (0-4), Pearse Morris (0-1), Shane Maher (0-1), Donnacha Quinn (0-1, 0-1 frees). Subs: (35th) Kevin Tucker for Conor Ryan, (36th) Philip Hickey for Shane Maher, (46th) Michael Heffernan (0-1) for Killian Gleeson, (51st) James Mackey for Donnacha Quinn.
Toomevara: Aidan Cahill, Liam Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Colin Hall, Paddy Tuohy, Benny Dunne, Darren Delaney, David Young (0-1), David Nolan, Joey McLoughney (0-2), John Delaney, Colm Canning (0-2), Paul Ryan (1-0), Ken Dunne (0-10, 0-8 frees, 0-1 ‘65), Jack Delaney. Subs: (6th) Jason Ryan for David Nolan, (38th) Mark McCarthy for John Delaney, (42nd) John O’Brien (0-1) for Jack Delaney, (54th) Paddy Grace for Jason Ryan.
Referee: Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch).
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