Following last week’s drawn U12 group 1final Drom-Inch and J.K. Brackens treated the fans to another wonderful display of hurling in the replay with a strong first half performance from Drom proving the key for them as they held out to take the title despite a resurgent display from Bracken’s in the second half, see match report.
On last Saturday then, we had no luck in the county U12 semi-finals with our three teams, commiserations to Loughmore-Castleiney, Drom & Inch (b) and Holycross-Ballycahill on losing out narrowly to North opposition. At time of going to press Drom and Inch still had to play their group 1 semi-final.
Also last Saturday in Littleton we had a double header in the U14 championships, with the Spain Family U14A final between Moycarkey-Borris and Durlas Óg and the Doran Oil U14C final between Moycarkey-Borris’ second team and Thurles Gaels. What a superb afternoon’s play we had with Moycarkey-Borris winning the double, a remarkable achievement, see match reports also. Congratulations to them and best wishes in their upcoming county semi-finals. However, both Durlas Óg and Thurles Gaels can hold their heads high indeed as they contributed handsomely in making the finals the great spectacles that they were. The last of the U14 championships takes place this Sunday morning in Templetuohy as the Stakelum’s Office Supplies U14B final sees Drom-Inch take on Moyne-Templetuohy.
The U16 championships semi-finals in U16A are down for decision next Monday as the championship rolls towards its exciting finish. The U16C semi-final took place on Monday last as Thurles Gaels visited Pairc na nÓg to take on hosts Durlas Óg, result next week.
New to our format for this year then we start our U13 hurling shields this week and these should prove to be very interesting and informative to all clubs as we head into the autumn of the season.
And finally, congratulations to the Tipperary senior hurling panel and management team on reaching the All-Ireland final with their victory over Cork in Croke Park last Sunday.
Centenary Co-Op Mid Tipp U12 Group 1 Hurling Final Replay
Drom-Inch 4-07 J.K. Brackens 2-05
Coming relatively hot on the heels of the original drawn final fixture, Drom-Inch and J.K. Brackens continued where they left off and produced another memorable clash in the replay of the Centenary Co-Op U12 group 1 hurling decider in Holycross last Tuesday, August 12th, with Drom-Inch prevailing thanks to a wonderful first half display. On the night the work rate of both sides was exceptional as was the amount of blocks, hooks and tackles made throughout the match, epitomising each desire to claim the title. Drom started the match at terrific pace and immediately set about their perceived aim of dismantling a tremendous Brackens back line which stood firm under incredible pressure in the last encounter. Led by the dynamic Paudie Kinane the Drom lads forced the initial pace. However, they met stubborn resistance from Stephen Cahill and Conor Cadell in each line of the Brackens defence with Cadell in centre back position arcing over and back providing cover to the wings as Drom sought out the key to unhinge his side’s defence. As a result Drom shot a brace of wides as they were forced to shoot, wind assisted, from distance. Downfield, Brackens attempt at the opposite end was cleared by the returning James Kennedy.
In the eight minute Kinane for Drom opened the deadlock with precision accuracy from his left boot. Coming square onto an incoming ball he gained control ahead of his marker and turned in a flash and headed goal bound. In full flight he let loose with the boot a missile to the net, commencing an unbelievable four minute spell for Drom. Jack Ryan followed with a point before Kinane scored a super goal with the stick having been fed by John Campion. His hat trick was complete a minute later when Luke Ormond made a stunning save from Kinane, but unfortunately for Ormond the ball broke back into Kinane’s path who tapped it home from close range.
It was all Drom pressure now as they sought to close it out before the break. Not so though as Brackens regrouped and with Diarmuid Delaney and James Corcoran growing into the game more it laid the platform to give their forwards more scope to threaten. Kinane didn’t read the script though and pointed twice more before Brackens got another bite at the cherry. With Niall Moloney and Darragh Doyle trying hard it led to Bracken’s opening score which Doyle converted from a placed ball. As half time loomed Brackens were dealt a killer blow when Kinane’s sixty five went straight to the net to leave Drom in pole position at the break 4-05 to 01.
Forced to make a positional switch at half time due to a leg injury, Brackens swapped positions with Delaney and Ormond, as both would handsomely contribute to the Brackens revival.
Determined in their play Brackens met the challenge Drom put before them head on and roared into battle to save the tie. It was action packed stuff as Drom were forced to defend with John Campion and James Kennedy superb in clearing their lines. Doyle was the Brackens danger man and two quick points from a free and play set the tempo of his side’s resurgence. He gave them renewed optimism in the fourth minute as he came onto a super ball out of defence from Delaney before unleashing a bullet to the net to ease the Brackens burden. Cadell then followed with a smashing point after some brilliant fielding. It was shoulders to the wheel on both sides now with tremendous battles popping up all over the pitch. Remarkably Drom would only shoot two scores in the second half, both points from placed balls from Kinane on eleven and thirteen minutes.
Into the final quarter Brackens put in an unbelievable effort to save the tie with warriors rising to in key areas, with Doyle leading the charge helped by Cadell and his men in defence but also Jack Nevin, Ormond and Killian Fennell. But Drom would be no push over, their backs grew in stature the more Brackens came at them with John Campion and Ethan Blake lording it in front of Lillis in the goal with James Kennedy and Maidhc Fitzpatrick continuing the middle third pressure.
Ormond goaled for Brackens with two to play following intense activity in the Drom goalmouth and as Brackens forced the play a further goal attempt went amiss as the Drom inside line was for once caught exposed. Doyle continued with another point from a free and as the clock wound down Lillis made a super stop at the death to keep Brackens at bay in a tense and exciting finish, Drom holding on thanks to the wonderful first half display.
Congratulations to both teams for two astonishing matches on both days, Drom going onto the county semi-final with great heart and Brackens left wondering what might have been following their heroic efforts.
After both sets of players received their medals; to delighted cheers Drom-Inch captain, Jack Lillis, then received the cup from Mid Coiste na nÓg Chairman Joe O’Sullivan and Mark Bourke, representing sponsor Centenary Co-Op, as the curtain came down at divisional level on another terrific U12 Mid hurling championship.
Drom-Inch; Jack Lillis (C), James Mullens, Ethan Blake, John Campion, Darragh Kennedy 01, Jack Ryan 01, James Kennedy, Paudie Kinnane 4-05 (1-00’65, 03f), Tony Cahill, Maidhc Fitzpatrick, Peadar Hassett, Brian Moore, Colin Callanan.
J.K. Brackens; Luke Ormond 1-00, Stephen Cahill, Eoin Quinn, Patrick Moloney, James Corcoran, Conor Cadell 01, Diarmuid Delaney, Jack Nevin, Killian Fennell, Darragh Doyle (C) 1-04 (03f), Dylan Hickey, Niall Moloney, Kevin Sheedy.
Referee; John Butler (Upperchurch-Drombane)
Spain Family U14A Mid Hurling Final
Moycarkey-Borris 4-07 Durlas Óg 2-08
The great rivalry between Moycarkey-Borris and Durlas Óg produced another cracking encounter in the Spain Family final in Littleton last Saturday afternoon. In a match where there was very little between the sides on the score board all through, pushing on in the last four minutes Moycarkey found the all important scores to break the hearts of a superb Durlas Óg side who battled hard from one to fifteen in an effort to retain their crown. Not to be for them on the day though, as the all conquering Moycarkey-Borris side of twenty fourteen marched onto another title thanks to the brilliance in particular of Jack Fallon and scoring exploits of Darren Flood.
Playing with the stiff wind Moycarkey were first on the board courtesy of Flood who pointed from play. However, the Durlas Óg lads worked the ball downfield and while Joe Dwan seemed to shoot for a point his shot sailed beneath the crossbar to ignite the Durlas Óg fire, and ignite it it did. Determined and industrious in their play the Durlas lads went about their task with purpose and really pressurised the Moycarkey backline. Fred Crowley was flying at wing forward while Dwan and Seán Butler were coping well in midfield, with Dwan soon putting his side in front with a point. Within a minute Fallon who was now motoring strong, took off on a fine solo across the park to create the space to open his account with a point. While not firing on all cylinders Moycarkey weathered the Durlas Óg storm and put pressure on the Durlas backs. Then in the twelfth minute Kyle Shelly, out on the wing, fired a ball in around the square and as the Durlas Óg backs failed to deal with it properly, the ball broke out to Flood who unleashed a shot to the net, his side back in front.
Remarkably that would be the last score of the half for Moycarkey as Durlas Óg gained the upper hand in this fascinating tie. Four wides for the ‘Borris lads was interrupted midway by a smashing team point from Crowley for Durlas Óg as both Dwan and Cian Stakelum combined, with Stakelum setting up Crowley for the score to tie up the match. In defence Dylan Costello was outstanding for Durlas clearing ball after ball with Barry McGrath and Kieran Costello contributing well too. Into the final minute Eoin Purcell was fouled inside the twenty metre line with Jack Lanigan making no mistake with the placed ball, Durlas Óg in front by the slenderest of margins at the break 1-03 to 1-02.
Whatever the Moycarkey mentors said at half time it had immediate effect and worked wonders for their side in the second half. Fallon again levelled affairs in the opening minute from a free and two minutes later he sliced his way through the Durlas defence setting up Flood for goal number two. Durlas Óg seemed to energise themselves off these scores and straight away they did likewise, Lanigan first with another twenty metre free and then Cian Stakelum goaled in a crowded goalmouth as Lanigan’s shot on target came back off the cross bar. It was frantic stuff indeed with the tempo now reaching fever pitch on the field, amidst a cauldron of noise emanating from the stand. Both keepers had to be at the very best to hold their line for the next quarter, with Kevin Bracken in the Durlas Óg goal the busier of the two. First at the opposite end Rhys Shelly made double saves from Kieran Moloney and then Purcell as he manfully held his line. Back down the field again Moycarkey laid siege on the Durlas line as Bracken made double quick saves also.
Fallon and Lanigan traded points in a now evenly balanced showpiece. Bracken again kept his side in it but was powerless to stop Flood who broke in from the right to score his hat trick in the sixteenth minute. Lanigan again from a placed ball left one between them as the action grew in intensity.
The next passage of ball was terrific from both sides with Rory Darmody and Max Hackett equally motoring nicely up to this finally exploding into life and feeding Fallon in particular who was sublime in his play. Butler, Crowley, Rory Fogarty and Conor Murphy were upping their performance also as Durlas Óg once again carried the game to Moycarkey. Fogarty it was then who squared up the tie with five minutes left on the clock.
But the Durlas lads couldn’t contain Fallon and Flood as these two tormentors would prove to be their downfall in the final minutess. Fallon added to his tally with a pointed free, while his next two points were simply outstanding, the second of which he scored from out on the right hand side of the pitch. However in between those two points there was a matter of another goal from Flood as he scored his fourth to put his side in a commanding position.
Durlas Óg never gave up and charged down field in an effort to save the game. A point from Dwan was to be their only solace as Moycarkey-Borris emerged triumphant when referee Tom McGrath called time on an tremendous final.
Another fine display from Moycarkey-Borris sees them hold possession of all U14 Mid titles in both codes for this year while it was heartbreak for the Durlas Óg lads who left everything out on the pitch and though winning in many positions it was Flood and Fallon who were their main nemesis on the day.
With Seán Spain representing the Spain Family, championship sponsor, also on hand, Mid Coiste na nÓg Chairman, Joe O’Sullivan presented the cup to winning captain Rory Darmody on a memorable day for the red and gold of Moycarkey-Borris.
Moycarkey-Borris; Rhys Shelly, Peter Melbourne, Tom Ryan, Conor Cummins, Kevin Hayes, Rory Darmody (C), Max Hackett, Jack Fallon 06 (02f), Zach Jackson, John Kirwan, Bill Maher, James Dillon, Eamonn Martin, Darren Flood 4-01, Rhys Shelly.
Durlas Óg; Kevin Bracken, Paddy Stakelum, Jack Lanigan 04f, Kieran Costello, Ben Murphy (C), Barry McGrath, Dylan Costello, Joe Dwan 1-02, Seán Butler, Kieran Moloney, Conor Murphy, Fred Crowley 01, Rory Fogarty 01, Eoin Purcell, Cian Stakelum 1-00, Subs; Aaron Mulcaire, Jordan Fahey, Shane Stapleton, Cillian Donaghy, Seán Collins, Luke Beresford, David Mawe, Dylan O’Shaughnessy, Stephen Dorney, Cathal Hayes, Jack O’Dwyer, Jamie Donovan, Brian Long, Eoghan Ryan, Seán Madden, Dean O’Halloran, Kieran Murphy, Arthur Geronimo, Peter Wall.
Referee; Tom McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney).
Doran Oil U14C Mid Hurling Final
Moycarkey-Borris (b) 1-07 Thurles Gaels 1-05
In what was arguably the best U14C final for many a year, Moycarkey-Borris and Thurles Gaels produced a terrific final in the Doran Oil sponsored championship in Littleton last Saturday, with the home side just about shading it on the day despite the tenacious display from the Thurles lads.
This was a game that had everything; passion, heart and skill, where the amount of blocking, shouldering and tackles made all accounted for a superb afternoon’s entertainment.
Into the wind Gaels were straight into attack with Ronan McGuire opening the scoring with a point in the second minute. Almost immediately his through ball found Brian O’Halloran who smartly turned his marker and hit the net from close range. Moycarkey responded with two wides before Aidan Scott got his side on the board with a delightful point from out on the right. Minutes later the excellent Daniel Brown put over a placed ball before Scott got his second. Gaels fought back and though Alan Heaney tried hard he saw a brace of efforts go wide of the posts either side of a point from O’Halloran who shot over from an acute angle. Gaels were pressing hard through Aaron Delaney and Heaney but the Moycarkey backs were equal to the challenge with Seán Mockler growing in stature as the game progressed as were Pat and Bill Hackett, with Michael O’Donnell doing efficient work in the corner. However, up front Brown was pulling the strings and was orchestrating the ‘Borris attack to good effect, narrowing the score to one with another free from out on the sideline.
Henry Fogarty working beaverishly up front for Gaels was rewarded with a point as he put his side two ahead on sixteen minutes. As each side raised the intensity Brown and Mockler for Moycarkey and Delaney and Shane Ryan for Gaels were central to each sides play. Brown it was who gained parity with points from play and a free to leave it a tremendous battle for the last five minutes of the half as the impetus swung either way without a score to show for it, half time score then reading Moycarkey 06 Gaels 1-03.
The second half began where the first left off but crucially for Moycarkey it was they who got the all important scores. John Coffey sprang into life in the second half and opened the scoring with a point after five minutes. Three minutes later Brown hit the back of the Gaels net with a sweet ground strike to the bottom left hand corner, his side four clear. The half was ten minutes old when McGuire worked well infield from the sideline to put three between them with a point from play. And when Delaney put over a placed ball on twelve minutes it was only two between them now and as much time left to go. Amazing as it seems that was to be the last score of the match as the Moycarkey defence led by Mockler, the Hackett’s further out soaked up an enormous amount of ball as Gaels put their every ounce of effort into attack. Brown and Coffey were trying their utmost as well to try and get scores but Gaels were quelling everything now too.
Gaels did have their chances but Ciarán Kirwan kept his line brilliantly intact in the second period denying almost certain goals from Heaney and Chris Munroe.
The wide count in the latter stages would prove to be the Gaels achilles heel as they shot seven to Moycarkey’s one, Moycarkey holding out to win by two in the end.
In the presentation ceremony, Seamus Doran of Doran Oil, together with his brother David were on hand with Joe O’Sullivan, Mid Coiste na nÓg Chairman, to present the cup to winning captain Bill Hackett much to the delight of his sides faithful supporters.
Moycarkey-Borris; Ciarán Kirwan, Michael O’Donnell, Brendan Looby, Michael Maher, Brian O’Callaghan, Seán Mockler, Pat Hackett, Bill Hackett (C), John Coffey 01, Daniel Brown 1-04 (03f), Tom Maher, Aidan Scott 02, Shane Bourke, Subs; Dylan Shaw, Ben O’Dwyer, also, Liam McDonagh, Diarmuid Maher, Jack Morrissey.
Thurles Gaels; Paudie O’Gorman, Martin Reilly, Chris Munroe, Shane Ryan (C), Jack Murphy, Aaron Delaney 01f, Kevin Patan, Oscar Lipinski, Alan Heaney, Dylan Molumby, Ronan McGuire 02, Brian O’Halloran 1-01, Henry Fogarty 01, Subs used; Thomas Grimes, Thomas Stokes, David McCormack, also, Neil Holland, Mark Murphy, Gary Delaney, Taylor O’Meara, James Butler, Dominic O’Shaughnessy.
Referee; P.J. Nolan (Killea).
By Jonathan Cullen Tue 19th Aug
