South Tipperary Junior B Hurling Final – Killenaule 0-14 Mullinahone 1-6

South Tipperary Junior B Hurling Final

Killenaule too strong for Mullinahone

Killenaule 0-14, Mullinahone C.J.Kickhams 1-06

The curtain raiser to the South Tipperary Senior Hurling final in Clonmel on Sunday afternoon was the Junior B hurling final between the same clubs Killenaule and Mullinahone who were to contest the senior final. The standard of hurling may have been somewhat lower than senior, but the game between the two rival clubs was still contested with vigour. Both the finalists seem to have been of a higher standard than the other sides in the competition in the earlier rounds, but in Sunday’s final Killenaule were by and large the better side. Mullinahone began the game with two former all-stars in their side, John Leahy in goal and Paul Kelly at centre forward, but even their inclusion couldn’t rouse the Kickhams to put real pressure on Killenaule who themselves had a good number of former stars in their side led by their captain, Kenny Cleary. Others to ring a bell were Jonathan Gleeson in goal, Vinny Hannigan, Pat O’Connor, Kenneth Browne and Damien McCormack.

The early minutes were lively enough. David Walzer pointed to give Mullinahone the lead, but Kenneth Browne equalised. John Murphy restored the Mullinahone lead, but in the seventh minute Martin Fennelly restored parity. In the ninth minute the Killenaule fullback received a yellow card which could easily have been otherwise. This was a bit of luck for Killenaule, as the offender went on to have a fine game. Kenny Cleary sent a long free into the Mullinahone square which was caught and pointed by the full forward Billy Barrett. Barrett also went on to play well especially when he moved out the field. In 14 minutes Martin Fennelly pointed again, but three minutes later Paul Kelly reduced the lead to a point, when he pointed a free. Billy Barrett increased this lead. Killenaule would have been much further in front had they taken all their chances, but their shooting was somewhat wayward. Damien McCormack pointed a Killenaule free and James Doyle added another point as Killenaule put on a spurt which soon faded. Paul Kelly reduced the lead with a point from a free and half time brought the score Killenaule 0-7, C.J. Kickhams 0-4.

Mullinahone introduced Eddie Carey and Gerard Horan at the start of the second half. Billy Barrett and Paul Kelly traded points from frees with Barrett pointing again in 8 minutes. Scoring then dried up for 10 minutes. In 18 minutes, Gerard Horan received a yellow card which could also have been of a darker hue. Barrett then pointed twice as Killenaule took control. A Kenny Browne point followed a fine long distance Killenaule effort. With 6 minutes to go a Mullinahone free was moved forward and Paul Kelly goaled. With 3 minutes left, Jonathan Gleeson made a fine save in goal to extinguish Mullinahone’s lingering hopes and the game ended with an exchange of points to leave the final score Killenaule 0-14, Mullinahone 1-6. Best for Killenaule were Billy Barrett and Aidan Leahy at opposite ends of the field, while Mullinahone’s best were defenders George Browning, Andy Lonergan and Kyran Vaughan.

Teams:
Killenaule: Jonathan Gleeson, Jonathan Berry, Aidan Leahy, Michael Fitzgerald, Dean Tobin, Kenneth Cleary, Vinny Hannigan, Pat O’Connor, Conor Prendergast, Dominic Blake, Kenneth Browne, Martin Fennelly, Damian McCormack, Billy Barrett and James Doyle.

Mullinahone: John Leahy, Sean O’Meara, George Browning, Andy Lonergan, Richie Neary, Kyran Vaughan, Aidan Hall (Capt.) Diarmuid O’Halloran, David Walzer, Eoin Egan, Paul Kelly, Graham Horan, Niall Mullally, John Murphy, Richie Walsh. Referee: Noel Cosgrove.

After the game the Championship Cup was presented to the Killenaule captain, Kenny Cleary by the Chairman of the South Board, Joe Brennan.

Report supplied by Ricky Sheehan