In the county U14 hurling semi-finals on Saturday, we send best wishes to Moycarkey-Borris in the U14A and to Moyne-Templetuohy in the U14B equivalent and hope they can bring more success to their clubs and the division in going all the way in the county series of the championships. There are no easy games at this stage now as their opposition will also be up to speed and hoping to go all the way too in the respective competitions.
Last week saw the semi finals in the U16A and B hurling championships take place as we get ready for the finals which will take place on Saturday week in Drombane. The ‘A’ final will be contested between Durlas Óg and Holycross-Ballycahill at 5.30pm, while in the ‘B’ decider at 4pm Clonakenny and Loughmore-Castleiney meet to resolve the winners in that one. An exciting double bill is in prospect as we quickly come to a close on this year’s championships.
Elsewhere on Monday evening last in The Ragg we had a superb U16C hurling final between Upperchurch-Drombane and Durlas Óg, with victory going to the Durlas Óg lads after an impressive performance, see report following.
Centre stage this weekend of course is the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final with excitement at fever pitch already in anticipation of what promises to be an epic day on Sunday and both Mid Coiste na nÓg and its clubs extend best wishes to all the players and management team and sincerely hope that Brendan Maher will be making his way up the steps of the Hogan Stand sometime after 5pm on Sunday evening to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup and he and the team will proudly bring the famous cup back to the Cathedral town come Monday evening. Come on The Premier, Thiobraid Árainn Abú.
Eamon Darmody Sports Turf Care U16C Mid Hurling Final
Durlas Óg 4-18 Upperchurch-Drombane 4-11
The Ragg has witnessed and played host to many terrific matches already this year and the fixture between Durlas Óg and Upperchurch-Drombane in the Eamon Darmody Sports Turf Care U16C final will certainly be a contender for top spot at year’s end following their wonderful match on Monday, September 1st last. In a game played with a consistently high tempo the slicker movement and work rate of the Durlas Óg lads ensured victory in a game full of superb skill and high entertainment.
Playing into the road goal Durlas Óg were off the mark immediately with the superb Seamus Doyle opening his account inside the first minute. Not allowing Upperchurch a chance to draw their breath the equally impressive Aidan Butler shot over his first point almost instantly.
The ‘Church then took a huge grip on proceedings when a long ball in from midfield came back off the upright with Darragh Carey Brennan following up menacingly to whip the ball into the roof of the Durlas Óg net with a nice touch of skill. Now settled the Upperchurch attack was starting to hum as was perfectly illustrated by Michael Lavery whose super strike rocketed to the net in the sixth minute.
Patrick Moloney having a fine game for Durlas Óg reduced the margin before Packie Bourke scored his first of three for the night.
From then on Durlas Óg seized control and whizzed the ball about and gave the Upperchurch defence a torrid time of it. Doyle, Adam Hickey and Butler were a constant thorn to the ‘Church defence with Doyle hitting two to the net in side two minutes midway through the half, his second executed brilliantly as he doubled on an out coming breakdown ball struck back with interest to the Upperchurch net, his side now in command.
T.J. Butler at centre back for the ‘Church was playing out of his skin in defensive mode and also was responsible for launching many of his sides forays in attack. Up front Lavery and Bourke were the ones most to profit from Butler’s deliveries. Bourke, Butler and Dean Carew all pointed for Upperchurch as they gained a foothold again, but points including a brace from Aidan Butler for Durlas Óg ensured his side would lead at the break 2-10 to 2-05.
Doyle commenced the second half for Durlas Óg as he did the first pointing in under fifty seconds. Two more followed for Durlas Óg before Daniel Moloney goaled for them in the eight minute.
Upperchurch though were never fazed and with TJ Butler moved further out field his threat was imminent. Duly obliging he hit over a smashing point from the right to settle his side, but the Durlas lads responded with three as they pushed comfortably ahead. But from then on it was all Upperchurch for a spell as they found their mojo and hurled with purpose and determination, Butler at the helm. He brought the best out of Christopher Carew in the Durlas goal as he saved Butler’s fine strike. Two points followed for the ‘Church before Butler gave them renewed hope as he rifled home a twenty metre free on seventeen minutes. Four minutes later Conor Fahey was quickest to pounce on a long ball in from midfield as he too goaled reducing the margin to five with plenty of time on the clock. Butler then pointed a free to set up a mouth watering finale.
It was shoulders to the wheels from both sides now as they strove on to push home their own advantage. It was Durlas Óg who had more in reserve, having weathered the Upperchurch storm they pointed through Aidan Butler and when his long free inside the last minute was broken down, Liam Power made no mistake from close range to hit the net ensuring a terrific win for Durlas Óg after a tremendous encounter with a battling and gallant Upperchurch-Drombane outfit.
Excellent performances from both sides ensured superb value for money for the fine attendance present; among those already mentioned, Seamus Doyle, Aidan Butler and Adam Hickey had a huge influence on this Durlas Óg victory, as did Darren Fahey, Patrick Moloney, Mikey Stakelum and Rian McDonnell. While for Upperchurch-Drombane, T.J. Butler was the main leader in defence and inspiring in his attack, where Michael Lavery, Packie Bourke and Darragh Carey Brennan gave their all too; in around the house Conor Ryan and Dean Carew in midfield were others also to note for the future.
Durlas Óg captain, Jason Jordan then stepped forward to collect the cup from Mid Coiste na nÓg Chairman, Joe O’Sullivan, with sponsor Eamon Darmody and Coiste Secretary, Sally Young also present.
Durlas Óg; Christopher Carew, Mikey Stakelum, Sean Barrett, Rian Mc Donnell, Evan Moore, Bill Shanahan, Daniel Moloney 1-00, Patrick Moloney 01, Aidan Butler 08 (01f), William Creedon, Jason Jordan (C) 01, Darren Fahey 03, Seamus Doyle 2-03, Michael Murphy 01f, Adam Hickey 01, Subs; Liam Power 1-00, Adam Derby, Jack Bambrick, Aaron Martin, Patrick Bowden, Jason Cullen, Shane Dunne, Shane Fitzpatrick, Jack Croke, Paddy Dunican, Eoin Hickey
Upperchurch-Drombane; Oran Cullen Gildea, Callum Murray, Conor Ryan, A.J. Shanahan, Denis Ryan, T.J. Butler 1-05 (1-03f), Patrick Buckley, Dean Carew 02, Conor Fahey 1-00, Michael Lavery 1-00, Packie Bourke (C) 03, Eanna Ryan, Keith Ryan 01, Daragh Carey Brennan 1-00, Patrick Clancy, Subs; Conor McLoughlin, Patrick Purcell.
Referee; P.J. Nolan (Killea)
By Jonathan Cullen Mon 1st Sep
