C J KICKHAMS MULLINAHONE 1-12 ST MARYS CLONMEL 1-8
Report supplied by Ricky Sheehan
In sun-drenched but cold Davin Park on Saturday the South Tipp Junior hurling B final served up a committed performance from both teams, with determination winning the day in the end for the Mullinahone second string. The final was played before a very small attendance on a cold Autumn day with the wind blowing across the field towards the town end. The Doyle Cup was presented at the end of the game to Joe O Meara captain of C J Kickhams Mullinahone by South Board Secretary Seamie Mullins.
Within a minute of the start St Marys Noel O Mahony pointed a free. In the second minute Mullinahone’s Niall Cronin pointed from a free on the 40m. Mullinahone edged ahead when Chris Horan pointed from play. With both sides having two wides each it was the St Marys who scored next with two points from Darren Cass, the first a free and the second from play after a great run. From the puck out Chris Horan caught in midfield and delivered the score of the half a point from the middle of the field to draw level. With both sides giving their best it was Mullinahone’s Niall Cronin in the 15th minute who went on a run and with a precision pass found Sean Walzer who turned and blasted to the roof of the net, putting his side a goal up.
However within a minute St Marys Noel O Mahony hit a long range free into the Mullinahone goalmouth and Conor O Sullivan connected to blast past Richie Walsh in the Mullinahone goal, bringing the sides level once again, 1-3 each. From the 20th to the 25th minute St Marys pulled two points ahead with Conor O Sullivan scoring both, the first from a pass by Colm Nolan who made a great clearance out of defence and the second when he won a chase to the touch line. In the 27th minute Mullinahone were awarded a long range free which Niall Cronin sent straight between the posts. The same player fired over from play in the 29th minute to bring the sides level once again 1-5 each at the interval.
After the break St Marys introduced James Keating for Michael Murphy. Within a minute Conor O Sullivan put St Marys ahead with a point from play. Mullinahone then just seemed to up their performance with all putting their shoulder to the wheel and for the next ten minutes they took over scoring three points. Darragh Kelly and Chris Horan scored from play and Niall Cronin pointed a free to lead 1-8 to 1-6. In the 45th minute St Marys pulled one back when Donnacha Fahy fired over from short range. Immediately Mullinahone restored their two points lead when Niall Cronin pointed from play .As we entered the final quarter St Marys introduced Evan Murphy, Deaglan Roche and Diarmuid Bolger.
The new players did not change the dominance of the Mullinahone defence with Niall Cronin adding two points from frees from well over 90m out and Joe O Meara added fine point from play with a solitary reply from St Marys, a point from Noel O Mahony. To St. Marys credit Noel struck the cross bar with a shot and goalie Richie Walsh made a fine save to keep St Marys at bay in those final five minutes. C J Kickhams Mullinahone on the day were deserving winners 1-12 to 1-8 for St. Marys.
Best for C J Kickhams Mullinahone Richie Walsh, Martin Costello, Paul Luttrell, Andy Lonergan, Ky Vaughan, Darragh Kelly, Chris Horan, Niall Cronin, Sean Walzer and for a gallant St Marys, Colm Nolan, John Trehy, Noel O Mahony, Conor O Sullivan, Darren Cass and James Keating.
Teams
C J KICKKHAM MULLINAHONE: Richie Walsh, Ciaran O’Shea, Martin Costello, Paul Luttrell, Andy Lonergan, Ky Vaughan, Darragh Kelly 0-1, Chris Horan 0-3, Michael Cody, David Walzer, Liam Hicks, Niall Cronin 0-7 (5f), Sean Walzer 1-0, Joe O Meara Captain 0-1, Joe Hogan. Sub used: Sean O’Meara
ST MARYS CLONMEL Brendan O Halloran, Colm Nolan, John Trehy, Donal Kennedy, Sean Adamson, Noel O Mahony 0-2 (1f), Conor O Keeffe, Michael Power, David Hoyne, Brendan Costello, Conor O Sullivan 1-3, Michael Murphy, Donnacha Fahy 0-1, Darren Cass 0-2 (1f). Subs used: James Keating, Dealga Roche, Evan Murphy, Diarmuid Bolger
Referee K Barrett (Clerihan)
