The Nenagh Éire Óg senior hurlers progressed to the north semi-finals thanks to a four-point win over Kildangan at Dolla on Sunday evening.
Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior
Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 1-16 Kildangan 1-12
Nenagh Éire Óg came out on top courtesy of a dominant second half display. Indeed, in that half Éire Óg held Kildangan scoreless from play before Páraic Kelly struck for a goal in the fourth minute of injury time.
A Donnacha Quinn free presented Éire Óg with an early lead before Ruairí Gleeson (free) responded for the champions. Tommy Heffernan and Paul Flynn traded fine points thereafter before a superb Tadhg Gallagher effort in the ninth minute handed Kildangan a 0-3 to 0-2 lead.
Éire Óg then took control and fired five points without reply to take a 0-7 to 0-3 lead by the 19th minute. Donnacha Quinn (frees) accounted for two of these efforts while Michael Heffernan, Andrew Coffey and Paddy Murphy added to the Blues’ tally.
Kildangan responded with efforts from Joe Gallagher and a Ruairí Gleeson free to leave two in it with 22 minutes played.
A Tommy Heffernan effort forced Éire Óg three clear, but Kildangan then fired three consecutive points, courtesy of Gary Byrne, Joe Gallagher and Páraic Kelly, to level the game (0-8 each) with 26 minutes played.
The tit-for-tat nature of the opening half continued with points from Donnacha Quinn (free), Killian Gleeson, Gary Byrne and a long-range effort from Hugh Flannery leaving the sides locked on 0-10 apiece at the break.
The vital Éire Óg goal materialised in the 32nd minute. Wing-back Barry Heffernan found Paddy Murphy with a searching delivery; the full-forward then worked the ball out to Killian Gleeson who beat ‘keeper Darragh Egan with a neat finish (1-10 to 0-10).
Murphy then added a point of his own before setting up Pearse Morris for another in the 34th minute and, suddenly, Éire Óg led 1-12 to 0-10. Six minutes later Donnacha Quinn converted a placed opportunity to leave six between the sides.
Darragh Egan landed two long-range Kildangan frees in the 41st and 43rd minutes to reduce the margin to four points.
Éire Óg settled back down to their work with a converted Donnacha Quinn free in the 53rd minute before a Michael Heffernan point from play opened a six-point gap (1-15 to 0-12).
Michael McNamara saved a Darragh Egan 21-yard free with five minutes to play before Andrew Coffey cracked over a 16th Éire Óg point on the hour mark.
Willie Connors opted to go for goal from a free in the 61st minute which John Brennan saved, but as the game petered out to an inevitable conclusion Kildangan’s Páraic Kelly lashed home Willie Connors’ sideline ball.
Kildangan have been outstanding champions of the division and the Éire Óg club would like wish them all the very best in their county championship campaign.
Nenagh Éire Óg: Michael McNamara, Mark Flannery, Noel Maloney, John Brennan, Daire Quinn, Hugh Maloney, Barry Heffernan, Kevin Tucker, Andrew Coffey (0-2), Pearse Morris (0-1), Michael Heffernan (0-2), Tommy Heffernan (0-2), Donnacha Quinn (0-6, 0-6 frees), Paddy Murphy (0-2), Killian Gleeson (1-1). Subs: (56th) James Mackey for Killian Gleeson, (57th) Mark Tuite for Kevin Tucker, (61st) Billy Heffernan for Andrew Coffey.
Kildangan: Darragh Egan (0-2, 0-2 frees), Alan Flynn, Martin Minehan, Jack Loughnane, David Sweeney, Willie Connors, Hugh Flannery (0-1), Eoin Gleeson, Tadhg Gallagher (0-1), Joe Gallagher (0-2), Gary Byrne (0-2), Ruairí Gleeson (0-2, 0-2 frees), Paul Flynn (0-1), Páraic Kelly (1-1), Tommy Connors. Subs: (42nd) Fergal Hayes for Ruairí Gleeson, (55th) Stephen James Gleeson for Eoin Gleeson.
Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).
LOTTO
This week’s lotto Jackpot of €3,500 was not won. The €50 lucky dip winners were: Liam Ryan (Templederry), Ger O’Gorman (Rathnaleen), Christopher O’Meara (Tyone), Mary Hanly (Kilkeary) & David Walsh (Bulfin Crescent). The next draw will be made on June 30th – jackpot now stands at €3,600 – play online.
The Nenagh Éire Óg Club Lotto represents the club’s key fundraising initiative.
Please consider supporting the Blues by playing our club lotto online: click here!
Just watch how far we can stretch your €2!
Alternatively you can also support Nenagh Éire Óg by paying your club membership. Membership for 2014 is now due and can be paid to any club officer or online. The cost of membership is priced at €25.
Help us to make the dreams of our players come true!
If you need to contact Éire Óg please do so via our Contact page. You can also keep in touch by accessing our Facebook page or by following @nenagheireog on Twitter.
