Kildangan won a first-ever north Tipperary under-21A title at the expense of Nenagh Éire Óg in Dolla on Sunday afternoon. Despite trailing 0-4 to 0-7 with twenty minutes to play Kildangan hit 0-5 without reply to force themselves into a 0-9 to 0-7 lead, an advantage that Nenagh Éire Óg could not claw back despite a heroic late effort to do so.
Walsh’s of Nenagh North Tipperary
Under-21A Hurling Championship Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 0-8 Kildangan 0-9
Kildangan won a first-ever north Tipperary under-21A title at the expense of Nenagh Éire Óg in Dolla on Sunday afternoon.
Although Éire Óg were defeated on this occasion the club would like to thank the panel of players for the manner in which they represented themselves, their families and the club.
Nenagh Éire Óg would like to extend its thanks to the under-21 management team of Ger Tucker (manager), Eddie Tucker, Greg Browne & Donie O’Brien for all of their efforts.
Éire Óg would also like to wish Kildangan all the very best in their up-coming county semi-final against west champions Clonoulty-Rossmore.
FIRST HALF
Kildangan took the lead thanks to a Willie Connors free as early as the fourth minute, but a highly-motivated Nenagh Éire Óg team responded when Mark Tuite won a turnover in the sixth minute and fed Killian Gleeson who fired over a great point off his right.
The Blues were chasing a first divisional title at the grade in twenty years (1994) and worked tirelessly in the opening quarter. Indeed, a stunning Killian Gleeson tackle in the 16th minute won the ball for Éire Óg and sparked a move which also featured a Donnacha Quinn assist and a James Mackey point. Seconds later Seánie Geaney set up Bob O’Brien for a left-handed effort and Éire Óg led 0-3 to 0-1.
Tadhg Gallagher hit back for Kildangan with a great point in the 17th minute, but Éire Óg re-established their two-point lead when Philip Hickey set up Donnacha Quinn in the 18th.
Willie Connors set up Paul Flynn for a Kildangan point in the 26th minute and the sides retired with the minimum between them at the interval – 0-4 to 0-3.
SECOND HALF
Immediately after the break Éire Óg seized the initiative when Bob O’Brien and Mark Tuite won frees which Donnacha Quinn converted. Willie Connors responded with a converted free for his side, but the Kildangan lads were left cursing their luck in the 38th minute when Éire Óg full-back Adam Gratton cleared Ben Banaghan’s tame effort off the line.
A minute later Kildangan were singing the praises of ‘keeper Cathal Hayes who conjured a stunning double save – Hayes saved brilliantly from Philip Hickey and Mark Tuite after John Cahalan’s surging run.
With twenty minutes to play a James Mackey point forced Éire Óg three points clear (0-7 to 0-4), but then Kildangan’s game plan started to pay a real dividend.
A Willie Connors free in the 42nd minute set Kildangan on their way and four minutes later Tadhg Gallagher cracked over a point from play to reduce the margin to one. Then, in the 49th minute, Willie Connors fired over a free from his own 65-yard line to tie the game.
The contest for possession was now ferocious in nature as both sides desperately sought the upper hand – the break finally went Kildangan’s way in the 50th minute when Tadhg Gallagher surged into the Éire Óg half before finishing off his right.
Five minutes later Kevin Flynn made a terrific save in the Éire Óg goal to deny Paul Flynn a three-pointer, but an undeterred Paul Flynn won possession once more a minute later and belted his side into a 0-9 to 0-7 lead.
Éire Óg fought back with all the determination that we have come to associate with this group of players with wing-back Seánie Geaney landing a monster of a point in the 58th minute.
The Kildangan defence stood tall thereafter and Éire Óg failed to create a final scoring opportunity which could have rescued this north final.
MATCH DETAILS
Nenagh Éire Óg: Kevin Flynn (captain), Brian Flynn, Adam Gratton, Michael Collins, Darragh Walsh, Barry Heffernan, Seánie Geaney (0-1), Killian Gleeson (0-1), Gary Howard, Donnacha Quinn (0-3, 0-2 frees), Bob O’Brien (0-1), John Cahalan, Philip Hickey, Mark Tuite, James Mackey (0-2). Subs: (39th) Conor Ryan for John Cahalan, (61st) Christopher Ryan for Conor Ryan.
Remaining Panel Members: Brian Gubbins, Aodhán Geaney, Keelan Higgiston, Alex Jones, Luke Kennedy, Brian Tuite, Gavin O’Connor, Dean Ray, Aidan Healy, Michael Hallinan, Paul Slattery, Oisín Ryan, Darragh Gleeson, Andrew Coffey, Donnacha Heffernan, Shane Hennessy.
Kildangan: Cathal Hayes, Darren Moran, Alan Flynn, Jim Minehan, Johnny Horan, Eoin Meagher, David Sweeney, Jack Loughnane (captain), Andy Loughnane, Seán Webb, Paul Flynn (0-2), Tom McLoughlin, James Mulqueen, Tadhg Gallagher (0-3), Willie Connors (0-4, 0-4 frees). Subs: (37th) Ben Banaghan for James Mulqueen.
Referee: Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch).
Nenagh Éire Óg & North Tipperary
Under-21A Hurling Finals
2014 Nenagh Éire Óg 0-8 Kildangan 0-9
2011 Nenagh Éire Óg 3-6 Burgess 0-18
2001 Nenagh Éire Óg 0-10 Toomevara 3-12
1999 Nenagh Éire Óg 0-7 Burgess 1-5
1996 Nenagh Éire Óg 1-16 Toomevara 2-14
1994 Nenagh Éire Óg 1-14 Moneygall 1-8
1993 Nenagh Éire Óg 1-10 Moneygall 0-7
1982 Nenagh Éire Óg 2-7 Roscrea 1-8
1981 Nenagh Éire Óg 3-13 Erin’s Hope 2-9
1980 Nenagh Éire Óg 3-13 Lorrha-Dorrha 1-7
1979 Nenagh Éire Óg 3-4 Roscrea 1-5
1969 Nenagh Éire Óg 2-7 Borris-Ileigh 3-9
North Tipperary Under-21A Roll of Honour
Kilruane MacDonagh’s (12): 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013.
Toomevara (10): 1967, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005.
Roscrea (7): 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1983, 1984.
Nenagh Éire Óg (6): 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1993, 1994.
Borris-Ileigh (4): 1969, 1987, 1988, 1997.
Burgess (4): 1999, 2002, 2004, 2011.
Naomh Pádraig (3): 1959, 1970, 1971.
Templederry Kenyons (2): 1977, 2008.
Lorrha-Knockshegowna (2): 1965, 1966.
Erin’s Hope (2): 1989, 1991.
Borrisokane-Shannon Rovers (1): 1960.
Moneygall (1): 1992.
Ballina (1): 2003.
Kildangan (1): 2014.
CLUB LOTTO
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