Nenagh Éire Óg joined Burgess and Kildangan in the quarter-finals of the Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship thanks to an eight-point win over Roscrea at St Michael’s Park in Toomevara on Saturday evening.
Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship
Nenagh Éire Óg 3-12 Roscrea 1-10
Nenagh Éire Óg joined Burgess and Kildangan in the quarter-finals of the Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship thanks to an eight-point win over Roscrea at St Michael’s Park in Toomevara on Saturday evening.
The eight-point winning margin proved a little generous in the end – Roscrea battled gamely throughout this contest and were misfortunate to see a number of late efforts drift wide before a Michael Heffernan goal sealed the win for the Blues.
Incidentally, the draw for the next stage of the Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship will take place in Cloughjordan on Sunday, June 8th after the Borris-Ileigh versus Lorrha-Dorrha game.
Despite playing into the swirling breeze Roscrea raced into a 0-2 to no-score lead before Tommy Heffernan got Éire Óg off the mark in the fourth minute. Killian Gleeson and Paul Ryan then added to the Blues’ tally to force Éire Óg into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead by the eighth minute.
Roscrea equalized almost immediately before a Michael Heffernan effort edged Éire Óg back in front.
In the 17th minute Tommy Heffernan turned over a Roscrea defender and flashed home an Éire Óg goal after Pearse Morris had attempted to find Paddy Murphy at full-forward. A minute later Tommy Heffernan won a searching Daire Quinn delivery and belted in a second Éire Óg goal to force the Blues into a 2-4 to 0-3 lead.
Kevin Tucker (free) soon added to the Éire Óg tally, but Roscrea responded with a point of their own.
A Pearse Morris point preceded another goal chance for Tommy Heffernan, but on this occasion the Roscrea ‘keeper made a stunning save. Pearse Morris gathered the rebound and first over to leave nine in it. Roscrea brought the half to a close with a fifth point and the sides retired with eight between them (2-7 to 0-5).
A Roscrea goal in the opening minute of the second half complicated matters as Paul Murphy’s men poured forward with the wind now at their backs – 2-7 to 1-5.
A Michael Heffernan point added to the Éire Óg tally, but Roscrea fought on and fired three consecutive points (one free) to leave a goal in it (2-8 to 1-8) by the 38th minute.
Points from Michael Heffernan and Kevin Tucker (free) forced Éire Óg five clear. Roscrea responded once more with a point before points from Paddy Murphy and Michael Heffernan forced the Blues two goals clear (2-12 to 1-9).
Michael McNamara saved Davin Flynn’s rasping 21-yard free on the hour mark and although Roscrea notched one further point Tommy Heffernan set up Michael Heffernan for a fine goal in the 62nd minute.
Nenagh Éire Óg: Michael McNamara, Mark Flannery, Noel Maloney, Daire Quinn, Billy Heffernan, Hugh Maloney, Seánie Geaney, Kevin Tucker (0-2, 0-2 frees), Barry Heffernan, Pearse Morris (0-2), Michael Heffernan (1-4, 0-1 frees), Tommy Heffernan (2-1), Killian Gleeson (0-1), Paddy Murphy (0-1), Paul Ryan (0-1). Subs: (51st) Andrew Coffey for Paul Ryan, (51st) John Brennan for Mark Flannery, (58th) Mark Tuite for Barry Heffernan.
Referee: Kieran Delaney (Toomevara).
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!
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.
