Kerry defeated South Tipperary by 1-15 to 0-7 in the Celtic Challenge Under 17 Hurling competition on Saturday June 11th at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick.
Celtic Challenge 11th June 2016 (Play Off)
Kerry 1-15 South Tipperary 0-7
Report supplied by Fergus McGrath
South Tipperary’s participation in the inaugural Celtic Challenge u17 hurling competition concluded in the Gaelic Gounds Limerick on Saturday 11th June where they came out second best against Kerry in the Division 2 (Corn John Scott) semi-final.
An enthusiastic Kerry side opened the scoring with a point from midfielder Niall O’Mahony
which was replied to by South Tipperary full forward Nathan Crowe. Kerry were attacking with menace from the outset and one of their main protagonists was Michael Slattery who quickly got on the scoreboard with an opportunistic point.
Cathal Bourke, who was to be South Tipperary’s top scorer, opened his account with a point but within minutes Michael McCarthy had responded with a goal for Kerry. Worryingly for South Tipperary scoring opportunities were hard to come by and when they did, the accuracy displayed in previous games did not seem to be present. In addition Kerry’s Barry O’Mahony was exerting a strong influence on affairs and his accuracy from frees was beginning to open a gap between the sides. When the half time whistle sounded Kerry were leading by double scores 1-7 to 0-5.
O’Mahony extended the Kerry lead early in the second half with a point from play. Bourke responded with two for South Tipperary but when Kerry then scored five points in a row from play things were looking ominous for the South Tipp lads. The hard working Jordan Hayes scored a good point under pressure for South Tipperary but Kerry replied with two from Gavin Dooley and Shane McElligott to seal a deserved victory.
For South Tipperary Stephen O’Brien, Donnacha Quirke, Eoin McCormack and Cathal Bourke caught the eye as did Niall O’Mahony, Barry O’Mahony, Michael Slattery and Gavin Dooley for Kerry.
South Tipperary
16 Killian Hayde – Golden Kilfeacle
2 Stephen O’Brien – Eire Og Annacarty
3 Donnacha Quirke – Clonoulty Rossmore
23 Eoin McCormack – Knockavilla Kickhams
5 Paul O’Heney – Emly
6 Fiachra Scott – Ballingarry
22 Conor Leahy – Arravale Rovers
8 Andy Byrnes – Golden-Kilfeacle
7 Niall Heffernan – Golden Kilfeacle
10 Eoghan Brett – Mullinahone
11 Conal Donovan – Arravale Rovers
14 Cathal Bourke – Clonoulty Rossmore (0-5, 1F)
15 Ross Bonner – Cashel King Cormacs
24 Nathan Crowe – Arravale Rovers (0-1)
20 Niall Hoctor – St. Mary’s Clonmel
Interchanges and Panelists
1 Luke Delahunty – Moyle Rovers
13 Fergus Halligan – Arravale Rovers
17 Michael Meaney – Ballyneale
28. Jordan Hayes – Eire Og, Annacarty (0-1)
19 Kevin Lawlor – Killenaule
9 Darren O’Dwyer – Arravale Rovers
18 Matthew Moroney – Arravale Rovers
25 Dean McMorrow – Clerihan
26 Jack Lyons – Ballyneale
27 Jack Lowry – Arravale Rovers
29 Conor O’Brien – Cahir
21 Colin Ryan – Cashel King Cormacs
4 Cormac Maher – Arravale Rovers
12 Josh Macken – Skeheenarinky
30 Aaron Ryan – Sean Treacy’s
