South Tipperary defeated Kildare by 5-17 to 2-15 in the Celtic Challenge Under 17 Hurling competition (Corn John Scott) on Saturday June 4th at Rathleague GAA grounds, Portlaoise.
Celtic Challenge 04th June 2016 (Preliminary Round)
South Tipperary 5-17 Kildare 2-15
Report supplied by Fergus McGrath
Three days after their victory over South Kilkenny South Tipperary returned to action against Kildare in the Preliminary round of the competition which took place in Rathleague, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The trip proved to be a fruitful one with South Tipperary coming out on top in a game that was played in sweltering heat.
Click here to view photos from the game
Cathal Bourke got the opening score of the match with a fine point and after seven minutes South Tipperary were 2-1 to 0-2 ahead with the first goal coming from Conal Donovan following a neat pass from Fergus Halligan and the second from Niall Hoctor. James Bourke was accurate from frees for Kildare as was his marker Andy Burns for South Tipperary whose long distance free taking was very accurate. Ciaran Tobin’s hard work for Kildare was rewarded with three well worked points whereas for South Tipperary Paul O’Heney, Eoghan Brett, Nathan Crowe, Ross Bonner and Niall Hoctor kept the score board ticking over. Bonner’s effort was particularly noteworthy. The half time score was South Tipperary 2.11 Kildare 0.7.
Andy Byrnes extended South Tipperary’s lead in the opening minute of the second half with a pointed free and twelve minutes later Niall Hoctor pounced for his second goal. This was followed by two further green flags from Ross Bonner which were responded to by goals from Philip Tierney in the eighteenth minute and shortly afterwards by the impressive James Bourke. Kildare were gaining momentum at this point and one of their attacks resulted in a penalty which was excellently saved by Killian Hayde in the South Tipperary goal. The sides traded points for the remainder of the match to leave Tipperary eleven point winners at full time.
All players on both sides are to be complimented for their efforts on such a warm day. South Tipperary’s next game will be a semi-final on Saturday 11th June on a date and in a venue to be announced.
South Tipperary
1 Luke Delahunty – Moyle Rovers
2 Stephen O’Brien – Eire Og Annacarty
3 Donnacha Quirke – Clonoulty Rossmore
23 Eoin McCormack – Knockavilla Kickhams
5 Paul O’Heney – Emly (0-1)
6 Fiachra Scott – Ballingarry
22 Conor Leahy – Arravale Rovers
8 Andy Byrnes – Golden-Kilfeackle (0-4, 4F)
7 Niall Heffernan – Golden Kilfeacle
10 Eoghan Brett – Mullinahone (0-3)
11 Conal Donovan – Arravale Rovers (1-0)
14 Cathal Bourke – Clonoulty Rossmore (0-3)
12 Fergus Halligan – Arravale Rovers
24 Nathan Crowe – Arravale Rovers (0-2)
20 Niall Hoctor – St. Mary’s Clonmel (2-1)
Interchanges and Panalists
16 Killian Hayde – Golden Kilfeacle
17 Michael Meaney – Ballyneale
15 Ross Bonner – Cashel King Cormacs (2-1)
28. Jordan Hayes – Eire Og, Annacarty
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 (0-1)
12 Josh Macken – Skeheenarinky
30 Aaron Ryan – Sean Treacy’s (0-1, 1F)
Kildare
1. Mark Doyle
2. Mikey Barea
3. Richie Hogan
4. Lorcan Behan
5. Paul Hogan
6. Rian Boran (0-2)
7. James Dolan
8. James Burke (1-8, 5F)
9. Sean MacDonncha
10. Kevin Ahearne
11. Martin Moloney
12. Aaron Deegan
13. Ciaran Tobin (0-3)
14. Paudie O’ Neill
15. Liam O’ Flynn
16. Philip Tierney (1-0)
17. Ruarai Goodfellow
18. Daragh Doyle
19. Chris Delaney
20. Morgan Cocoman
21. Cian O’Donnchadha
22. Sean Cullen
23. Ronan Dunne
24. Eoghan Prizeman
