The curtain came down on very exciting U12 football championships in The Ragg last Saturday morning and well into the afternoon. Despite the terrible conditions the eight teams involved put in tremendous performances producing excellent finals with splendid displays which brightened the miserable day. Congratulations to the four winners, Durlas ￓg in group 1, Upperchurch-Drombane in group 2, Thurles Gaels in group 3 and Holycross-Ballycahill in group 4. All clubs now face North opposition in the county semi-finals in two weeks time.
We would like to sincerely thank the Drom & Inch Club and Juvenile Chairman Willie Clohessy, for hosting the finals and for having the pitch in such excellent order. Thanks to Celine and Monica for the catering, to our terrific linesmen Brian Hennessy and Stephen Flanagan for officiating at the four games. Thanks also to our referees Mark Dunne (Moyne-Templetuohy) for groups 3, 4 and John Kelly (Thurles Gaels) for groups 1 and 2.
The Mid F￩ile ‘B’ round robin was held in Templetuohy last Thursday night where the home team Moyne-Templetuohy put in two dominant displays to take the title and progress to meet Borrisoleigh in the county semi-final.
In the first match Moyne played Loughmore-Castleiney and playing with what breeze was in it raced into an early lead courtesy of four first half points from Gearid O’Connor and an excellent strike from Conor Bowe after some excellent fielding. Loughmore were relying on Conor Ryan, who was carrying an injury into the game, and also Michael O’Connell to lead their charge and that they did with every ounce of ability they had. Still though, it was heartbreak for them before half time when Se￡n Hayes netted for Moyne from close range.
Into the second half O’Connell made a great drive through the Moyne defence only to see his blistering shot superbly deflected over by the Moyne net minder. O’Connor and Marty Ryan were causing problems for the Loughmore defence along with the growing influence of Jack Taylor at midfield and as they tacked on more points Hayes netted for a second time to seal victory.
Not much rest for Loughmore who took on Drom & Inch in the second match. In a much more even contest Loughmore began to realise their potential. Edward Meagher in goal made numerous top class saves throughout the match as three first half points from Michael O’Connell saw his side ahead at the break. The Drom scores coming from Tony Cahill and the flying Paudie Kinane. Conor Ryan added a point for Loughmore early in the second half to double the scores. The Drom response was immediate as their full forward Aaron Ryan rattled the net, Drom now one ahead, and by adding on five more points they ran out comfortable winners in the end to set up a decider with Moyne-Templetuohy.
In the deciding game Moyne now fresher after their break tore into Drom from the start with the influential Jack Taylor shooting over inside the opening minute. Paul Glasheen in turn for Drom saw his effort go wide. Marty Ryan then hit a smashing ball across the field over the defence for who else but Gearid O’Connor to hit the net and set Moyne on their way. With Taylor in sparkling form Drom were put under the cosh at every chance Moyne got. After O’Connor pointed a free Taylor scored the point of the match following excellent fielding at midfield. Marty Ryan had a goal just on the interval when he pounced on a batted down effort following a long ball in from Conor Bowe. John Ryan and Glasheen were trying their best for Drom who couldn’t muster the excellent exploits of players from the previous match, Ryan scoring his side’s only point from a placed ball. The second half belonged to O’Connor who hit 2-02 to seal victory for a strong and deserving Moyne-Templetuohy side.
Well done to Moyne-Templetuohy who now go on to play Borrisoleigh in the F￩ile na nGael B competition next weekend. Thanks also to Loughmore-Castleiney and Drom & Inch for participating in the tournament. Congratulations to Moycarkey-Borris on their superb U14 Peil A County Final victory last Saturday over Moyle Rovers. They now progress to the national finals which will be held in Connacht over week ending June 27th. Commiserations to Holycross-Ballycahill in the U14 Peil B losing their county semi-final to the eventual winners Newport Gaels. Not much time for Moycarkey-Borris to rest as they take on Toomevara in the Feile na nGael county semi-final this Saturday.
Best wishes to the U16 divisional panel who take part in the Munster U16 league round in Dr. Morris Park on Saturday. Only one team from the hot group of four will progress to Mallow on Monday for the Munster semi-final and finals. Your support in Dr. Morris Park would be very much appreciated to shout on the team and mentors who have put in great efforts in training. The action is due to commence at 11am.
While next Monday the postponed Roger Ryan Tournament in which our U15 divisional squad take on North in the semi-final throws in at 2.30pm in Toomevara, again as much support as possible is requested for the team who have had to put in extra weeks training on account of the original postponement. We would like to sincerely thank the players and mentors for the commitment and dedication to the extra work involved over these past few weeks.
Seamus Hanafin Furniture Store
Mid U12 Football Group 1 Final
Durlas Óg 3-08 Drom-Inch 2-03
At the business end in group Durlas Óg and Drom & Inch served up a thriller with the Durlas lads putting in a powerhouse performance ensuring it was back to back titles for them in last Saturday’s final in The Ragg. With leaders all over the field especially in key areas, Durlas Óg imposed their will on the game and made Drom & Inch work especially hard for each score they gained.
Oisín O’Brien was first to score for Durlas with a free in the second minute but the lead was short lived as Darragh Kennedy pointed from play for Drom. Soon after his opposite number Jack Kelly pointed for Durlas before he instigated a super move for his side. Collecting the ball on half way Kelly set flight with O’Brien pulling away to his left. In full flow he fed O’Brien who in turn found Darragh Stakelum outside the square, Stakelum making no mistake in hitting the net, Durlas in command. By now Paddy Creedon was in supreme form in midfield showing super strength in possession as well as excellent aerial capabilities.
The Drom machine got motoring too and a great move combining Kennedy, Maidhc Fitzpatrick and Diarmuid Brennan was snuffed out by James Armstrong for Durlas Óg at a crucial passage in play. As a result the ball was fed downfield for Creedon to score past midway in the half. Drom though were right back in it within a minute as a high ball in from Jack Lillis found its way to the net to leave two between them. Fitzpatrick and Drom with their tails up sensed blood but Stephen Donovan in the Durlas goal was equal to the challenge as he stopped Fitzpatrick’s fine effort.
Overcoming the Dom rally Durlas kicked over four points in as many minutes to give them the half time advantage 1-07 to 1-01.
Creedon now had two markers for company in the second half each time he went near the ball as Drom sought to stem his influence. Drom were dogged too as they harried and hustled proceedings. John Campion and Paudie Kinane emerged as leaders in this half as they took the game in earnest to Durlas Óg. But in Paddy Creedon, Conor Stapleton and Armstrong they found resolute resistance as their no nonsense approach epitomised their work ethic. Campion though was on the board for Drom and reduced the lead with a forty five on six minutes.
However, for Drom the game was to turn irrevocably in a two minute spell midway through the half. First Conor Whitehead’s great clearance out of defence for Durlas Óg eventually found it’s way to Stakelum who netted his second of the game with a sweet strike and he soon had a hat trick, this time Armstrong supplying the ammunition for his super shot. Stakelum a constant menace with sniper like radar on his every strike securing one hundred percent strike rate on the day.
Drom tried valiantly to get back into it but Stapleton cleared his line time and again to great effect. Kinane and Campion then linked up in play but Donovan cleared again as Drom went in search of goals. Kinane and O’Brien exchanged points before Campion found the net for Drom in the final minute when his forty five found the net off the cross bar. As referee John Kelly called time on a wonderful game it bought the end also to an exciting days play in The Ragg.
Fitting then that a star of the game Paddy Creedon, Durlas Óg captain came forward to collect the cup from Mid Chairman Joe O’Sullivan and Seamus Hanafin sponsor, also present was Mid Secretary Sally Young.
Durlas Óg; Stephen Donovan, Conor Fogarty, Luke Fogarty, Conor Stapleton, Daniel Ruddy, James Armstrong 01, Paddy Creedon (Capt.) 01, Jack Kelly 02, Darragh Stakelum 3-01, Oisín O’Brien 03 (01f), Conor Ruddy, Urban Nolan, Conor Whitehead
Drom-Inch; James Mullens, Ethan Blake (Capt.), Jack Ryan, Tony Cahill, Maidhc Fitzpatrick, John Campion 1-01 (01’45), Paudie Kinane 01, Darragh Kennedy 01, James Kennedy, Diarmuid Brennan, Jack Lillis, Paul Mullens, Colin Callanan
Referee; John Kelly (Thurles Gaels)
Liam Young Plant Sales Ltd.
Mid U12 Football Group 2 Final
Upperchurch-Drombane 1-06 Moyne-Templetuohy 1-02
Two evenly matched sides provided another excellent game of football as Upperchurch-Drombane eventually saw off a spirited Moyne-Templetuohy side to make it two in a row following their victory in this year’s decider in The Ragg.
Calling on eight of last year’s winning side that experience eventually told as the ‘Church broke the Moyne resolve on the way to lifting the title.
Moyne were into attack from the off and deserved scores on the board that their efforts warranted. However, as the rain lashed down it made progress slow with Dylan McLoughlin first to go close for Moyne early on. Rebecca Bermingham Jordan was superb for Moyne by now ably assisted by the ever threatening Ciarán Lloyd and Ellie Maher. It was Lloyd though who opened the scoring with a free on eight minutes. Weathering the Moyne storm Upperchurch were soon level when Luke Shanahan converted having been set up nicely by Seán Ryan. Shanahan then set up Mikey Griffin for a goal chance but his shot was fantastically saved by the diving Jamie Kiely as he expertly turned the shot one handed outside the left hand post for a forty five. Still the ‘Church kept coming powered on by Patrick Purcell, Griffin and Shanahan and just before half time Pat Ryan pointed with a lovely score to leave it very tight at the break 02 to 01 in favour of Upperchurch-Drombane.
Now with the wind the ‘Church set sail with Shanahan at the helm and he duly delivered on the role netting in the second minute. The point of the match came from the Upperchurch captain Micheál McLoughlin whose exquisite kick with the outside of the boot curled beautifully inside the upright to put his side five ahead. Lloyd kept Moyne in touch with another free and with Ellie Maher supremely rising to the occasion for Moyne a grandstand finish seemed on the cards though Shanahan quickly cancelled out Lloyd’s point with one of his own.
As Moyne and Lloyd increased their pressure it soon paid rich dividends as Armand Schoeman profited from Lloyd’s persistence hitting the net to leave two between them. Upperchurch-Drombane and Shanahan were to have the last say as two pointed frees edged them to the second title in as many years. Heartbreak for Moyne-Templetouhy in the end who left everything out on the pitch in aid of their cause as a jubilant Upperchurch-Drombane side knew they were made to work extremely hard to hold onto their crown.
After the medals had been presented up steeped Micheál McLoughlin to accept the cup from Joe O’Sullivan Mid Chairman with Secretary Sally Young deputising for Liam Young sponsor also on hand.
Upperchurch-Drombane; Óisín Treacy, Tom Purcell, Joseph Bourke, Luke Shanahan 1-04 (03f), Seán Ryan, James Griffin, Patrick Bourke, Pat Ryan 01, Caroline Shanahan, Micheál McLoughlin (Capt.) 01, Mikey Griffin, Eoin Lavery, Eoin Bourke.
Moyne-Templetuohy; Jamie Kiely (Capt.), James Maher, Jay Jay Schoeman, Dylan McLoughlin, Enda Ryan, Rebecca Bermingham Jordan, Eanna Guilfoyle, Ciarán Lloyd 02f, Ellie Maher, Emma Kelly, Jimmy Gleeson, Armand Schoeman 1-00, Cathal Kelleher, Bronagh Bergin.
Referee; John Kelly (Thurles Gaels)
Doran Oil
Mid U12 Football Group 3 Final
Thurles Gaels 5-14 Moycarkey-Borris (b) 0-01
This group three decider gave Thurles Gaels their first victory at the grade in football as they overpowered Moycarkey-Borris second team in clinical fashion in The Ragg last Saturday morning.
Even enough in the opening exchanges, warning signs began to rise quickly for Moycarkey-Borris as Gales settled into action with Adam Daly chiefly dictating the play. Two points apiece from Steven Carroll and Recce Carroll helped Gaels on their way; Steven’s second in particular being a peach of a point.
David Doyle and Rian Martin at six and three for Moycarkey were working solidly to keep play from going through the centre. Gales though were working the ball down the line via Daly and when he collected a kick out unmarked in the sixth minute he made no mistake in hitting the net for the games opening goal. This was soon followed by another from Jack Murphy whose looping shot dipped under the cross bar.
Doyle was working his socks off for the ‘Borris men and had good assistance in midfield from Ben Ely but they couldn’t break the Gaels rearguard to feed their forwards. Gaels tacked on more points to hold a comfortable 2-12 to no score advantage facing in to the second half wind.
Moycarkey rung the changes at half time which stifled the Gaels momentum somewhat, but not before Liam McCormack had his first of the day when he poached a goal in the second minute.
Moycarkey’s only score came courtesy of a Ben Ely free in the seventh minute of the half as they tried desperately to make inroads into what was becoming an impossible task. Rian Martin now in goal pulled off some excellent saves and with Doyle and Ely still giving their all, they restricted Gaels somewhat for the remainder of the half. That being said Gaels now were going through the motions with Recce Carroll and McCormack prominent all the time, as McCormack and Daly both added a second goal apiece in the last quarter of the match to seal a memorable victory for a well balanced and polished Thurles Gaels side.
This time joint captains Jack Murphy and Henry Fogarty came forward to receive the group 3 cup sponsored by Doran Oil from Joe O’Sullivan, Mid Coiste na nÓg Chairman with Seamus Doran also present.
Thurles Gaels; Eoghan Cleary, Philip Hayes, Mark Martin, Jack Murphy (Joint Capt.) 1-00, Henry Fogarty (Joint Capt.) 02, Recce Carroll 04, Austin Coakley, Adam Daly 2-00, Liam McCormack 2-03, James Fogarty, Tom Reilly, Steven Carroll 04, Shane Turner, Fiachra O’Gorman 01, Jack Keogh.
Moycarkey-Borris (B); Stephen Walsh, Adam Costello, Rian Martin, Joe Maher, Anthony Doyle, David Doyle, John Lanigan, Ben Ely 01f, Kieran Carew (Capt.), Seán Britton, Joey Ryan, Jack Corcoran, Daniel Donnelly, Jack Fitzgerald, Cillian McDonagh.
Referee; Mark Dunne (Moyne-Templetuohy)
Hayes Hotel
Mid U12 Football Group 4 Final
Holycross-Ballycahill (b) 7-09 Boherlahan-Dualla (b) 5-01
A terrible morning weather wise was quickly brightened by a wonderful and entertaining group four football final with Holycross-Ballycahill eventually emerging victorious after a great second half comeback to seize the title out of the clutches of Boherlahan-Dualla.
Wind assisted in the first half Boherlahan netted in their first attack, a great move involving Josh Fahy, and Oisín Dwan who then Found Conor O’Dwyer as he rounded the keeper to raise the first green flag of the day. Holycross though fought back and with the excellent Cian Hevey proving difficult to handle, following nice work he laid off to Eoin Craddock who pointed for Holycross. This would prove to be the only score of the half for the ‘Abbey players as Boherlahan’s dominance began to tell. Dwan together with Leah Baskin, Leah Kavanagh and Fahy tormented the Holycross outfit with Daniel Quaid another to catch the eye as he covered excellently in front of his own goal. Dwan netted two goals to put his side firmly in command with Dean Mulcaire adding a fourth when free in space to leave it 4-01 to 01 at the break in favour of Boherlahan-Dualla.
As we have seen many times in the past the elements can have such a bearing on an outcome, combined of course with the never ending desire to succeed. Both sides had that desire in spades, however, coupled with the ever strengthening wind the Holycross second half renaissance was remarkable. From the off they harried and bustled their way back into the game. The points came and were quickly followed by goals. Top scorer and Holycross captain Justin Bergin Maher shot 3-04 from play as he led by superb example. Eoin Craddock played his part too notching up handsome reward for his day’s toil.
Neck and neck with six to play a last final push from Holycross proved decisive as five of their second half goals came in that period as a besieged Boherlahan defence tried valiantly to stem the flow, with Kate Ryan and Conor O’Dwyer among others battling with every ounce of energy they could muster, O’Dwyer successful with a late goal making it a double for him on the day. Alas not to be as a marvellous second half performance from Holycross-Ballycahill earned them the plaudits and honours on the day.
Victorious captain Justin Bergin Maher then received the cup from Mid Coiste Chairman, Joe O’Sullivan.
Holycross-Ballycahill (B); T.J. Ryan, Stephen Maher, Tadhg Gould 1-00, Justin Bergin Maher (Capt.) 3-04, Cian Hevey, Shane Ryan, Eoin Craddock 1-03 (01f), Seán Dwyer, Rory Fleming, Conor Ryan 1-02, Cillian Crosse 1-00, Aaron Holland.
Boherlahan-Dualla (B); Jack Chandler Fogarty, Daniel Quaid, James Tuohy (Capt.), Leah Baskin, Leah Kavanagh, Oisín Dwan 2-00, Jake Canny 01, Kate Ryan, Josh Fahy, Conor O’Dwyer 2-00, Ashling Moloughney, Dean Power, John Trainor, Dean Mulcaire 1-00, Ciara Gahan, Cormac Casey, Antonia Kevin.
Referee; Mark Dunne (Moyne-Templetuohy)
By Jonathan Cullen Tue 29th Apr
