Confusion reigned in Borrisokane on Friday evening when Nenagh Éire Óg’s North Tipperary Junior B Hurling League semi-final against Lorrha-Dorrha ended in controversial circumstances.
North Tipperary Junior B Hurling League Semi-Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 3-14 Lorrha-Dorrha 2-16
*Lorrha-Dorrha declared one-point winners by referee Martin O’Shea.
Confusion reigned in Borrisokane on Friday evening when Nenagh Éire Óg’s North Tipperary Junior B Hurling League semi-final against Lorrha-Dorrha ended in controversial circumstances.
Although the Blues led by two points deep in injury time following a highly-entertaining contest Lorrha-Dorrha converted a late free and referee Martin O’Shea declared Lorrha-Dorrha one-point winners of the contest.
It was a bizarre end to a terrific game.
Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze Lorrha-Dorrha made an impressive start and led 1-1 to no-score after six minutes.
A Darragh Walsh free got Éire Óg off the mark in the seventh minute, but further points from Lorrha-Dorrha helped the Blues’ opponents into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead.
Darragh Walsh converted a tricky free into the breeze in the 12th minute before Aodhán Geaney set up Anthony Walsh for Éire Óg’s first point from play in the 16th – 0-3 to 1-4.
Lorrha-Dorrha responded with a point of their own, but Éire Óg hit back when Aodhán Geaney picked out Niall Madden with a clever sideline ball and the centre-back left four between the sides.
An Aidan Healy point in the 19th minute reduced the Lorrha lead to three points before a Darragh Walsh free left just two in it.
Lorrha converted a free of their own in the 23rd minute and although Niall Cahill won a free for Éire Óg which Darragh Walsh converted two Lorrha points left four between them (0-7 to 1-8).
In the 29th minute Éire Óg struck for a vital goal – Niall Madden won a terrific ball at centre-back and picked out the raiding Aidan Healy who set up David Cleary for a fine right-handed strike – 1-7 to 1-8.
Lorrha responded with a point of their own before Darragh Walsh and a Lorrha-Dorrha player were shown straight red cards following an incident in the 30th minute.
Three minutes into first half injury time Anthony Walsh won Aidan Healy’s searching delivery and beat the Lorrha ‘keeper to hand Éire Óg a 2-7 to 1-9 interval lead.
In the opening three minutes of the second half Conor Kirwan and Gavin O’Connor were fouled for frees which Anthony Walsh converted and now the Blues led 2-9 to 1-9.
Lorrha-Dorrha responded to the challenge of Éire Óg in terrific fashion and hit three consecutive points (two frees) to tie the game by the 39th minute – 2-9 to 1-12.
With twenty minutes to play Jamie Gallagher won a free which Anthony Walsh converted to force Éire Óg back into the lead, but Lorrha edged back in front thanks to two further points (one free).
Éire Óg wing-back Gavin O’Connor tied the game with a fine effort in the 45th minute before an Anthony Walsh free helped the Blues back into the lead in the 51st minute – 2-12 to 1-14.
Lorrha-Dorrha were left cursing their luck in the 53rd minute when an effort at a point struck an Éire Óg post, dropped down and Niall Madden won possession. The centre-back’s clearance broke in behind full-forward Niall Cahill and Aidan Healy was on hand to force home a third Éire Óg goal – 3-12 to 1-14.
With four minutes to play a smartly-taken free from Niall Madden picked out Shane Maher at right corner-forward and Maher swung over a smashing point. Then, in the 58th minute, Madden found the second half substitute once more and Shane Maher helped Éire Óg into a six-point lead with another fine effort – 3-14 to 1-14.
To their credit Lorrha-Dorrha never gave up and poured forward in search of scores. Indeed, Lorrha-Dorrha were rewarded with a point and then a goal in second half injury time to leave two in it – 3-14 to 2-15.
Lorrha-Dorrha then won a free which was converted following a brief consultation with the referee – to be fair to the Lorrha free-taker had he known that his side trailed by two points he may have opted to drop the ball in rather than go for a score.
Considering that both sides had approached this contest in such a fair and spirited manner it was disappointing to see the game end in such confusion.
It is worth noting that the scoreboard was not in operation at Borrisokane.
Irrespective of what happens now the Nenagh Éire Óg junior B hurlers should be very proud of their efforts during this league campaign and especially in this semi-final against what is an excellent Lorrha side.
The club would like to thank the management team of Conor Ryan, Derek Lillis and David Minogue for their efforts in preparing this group of players.
Nenagh Éire Óg: Brian Darcy, Paddy Flynn, Leonard Ryan, Brian Flynn, Gavin O’Connor (0-1), Niall Madden (0-1), Jamie Gallagher, John Cahalan, Aodhán Geaney, David Cleary (1-0), Conor Kirwan, Darragh Walsh (0-4, 0-4 frees), Aidan Healy (1-1), Niall Cahill, Anthony Walsh (1-5, 0-4 frees). Subs: (47th) Shane Maher (0-2) for David Cleary, (58th) Jack Sheedy for Jamie Gallagher, (61st) Kieran Duffy for Gavin O’Connor.
Referee: Martin O’Shea (Borrisokane).
LOTTO
There was no winner of this week’s lotto jackpot which is now €3,300. Lucky dip winners: Sadie Coffey (Flannan Street), Auveen Melia (Kilruane), Billy Flannery (Millview), Ronan Burns (Monaree), A Ryan (c/o HiB) – 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!
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