Nenagh Éire Óg and Kildangan will present a novel pairing in the Walsh’s of Nenagh North Tipperary Under-21A Hurling Championship final – following a 2-13 to 0-9 semi-final win over Kilruane MacDonagh’s the Blues will be seeking a first under-21 north title since 1994 when the lads take on Kildangan who have never won the A title at the grade.
Walsh’s of Nenagh North Tipperary
Under-21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 2-13 Kilruane MacDonagh’s 0-9
Kilruane started well and fired over two points inside the opening three minutes while Éire Óg ‘keeper Kevin Flynn was also asked to make an important save in the second minute.
A Philip Hickey effort demanded a fine save from the Kilruane goalkeeper in the third minute and in the sixth Mark Tuite burst through following a fine pass from Bob O’Brien. Once more the Kilruane ‘keeper saved, but this time at the expense of a point and Éire Óg were off the mark – 0-1 to 0-2.
Kilruane added two further points to their tally and led 0-4 to 0-1 with twelve minutes played.
The Blues asserted themselves however in the remaining minutes of the opening half when out-scoring the defending champions 2-8 to 0-2.
Three points in three minutes tied the game – a Donnacha Quinn free got Éire Óg moving in the right direction before Philip Hickey set up James Mackey for a fine point. Then, in the 15th minute, John Cahalan intercepted a Kilruane puck-out and fired over a rousing equaliser – 0-4 apiece.
Mark Tuite created the room for James Mackey to fire Éire Óg into the lead for the first time in the 17th minute. Bob O’Brien won a free which Donnacha Quinn converted soon after and although Kilruane converted a placed ball of their own Bob O’Brien was on hand to set up John Cahalan for a terrific left-handed point in the 23rd minute. Two minutes later Philip Hickey won a free which Donnacha Quinn converted and the Blues now led by three.
On the half hour mark Kilruane responded with a free, but seconds later Killian Gleeson’s terrific diagonal delivery picked out full-forward Mark Tuite who battled brilliantly before burying a right-handed shot. Two minutes later John Cahalan’s cross was flicked home by Philip Hickey. Bob O’Brien then set up Mark Tuite for a ninth Éire Óg point and the Blues led 2-9 to 0-6 at the break.
The second half proved a bad tempered affair.
Two Kilruane frees closed the gap to seven points before Donnacha Quinn won and converted a free in the 42nd minute to present Éire Óg with their first score of the second half – 2-10 to 0-8.
Fifteen scoreless minutes ensued before Philip Hickey won a free which Donnacha Quinn fired over to leave nine between them.
Éire Óg’s first score from play in the second half materialised in the 64th minute when Gary Howard set up John Cahalan for a smashing point. Kilruane added a point from play to their tally before Donnacha Quinn notched another in the sixth minute of injury time.
Unfortunately Éire Óg’s Andrew Coffey and a Kilruane player were shown straight red cards by referee Kieran Timmons in the 59th minute.
The Walsh’s of Nenagh North Tipperary Under-21A Hurling Championship final against Kildangan is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 30th in Dolla at 2pm. The lads would appreciate your support.
Nenagh Éire Óg: Kevin Flynn, Michael Collins, Adam Gratton, Andrew Coffey, Darragh Walsh, Seánie Geaney, Killian Gleeson, Barry Heffernan, Gary Howard, John Cahalan (0-3), Bob O’Brien, Donnacha Quinn (0-6, 0-5 frees), James Mackey (0-2), Mark Tuite (1-2), Philip Hickey (1-0).
Referee: Kieran Timmons (Silvermines).
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