Mullinahone’s Skill defeats Moyle Rovers
Mullinahone C.J.Kickhams 2-11 Moyle Rovers 0-10
With hints of Spring in the air, the South Tipperary Under 21 A Championship 2015 is drawing to a close. In Kilsheelan on Sunday, a small crowd saw C.J. Kickhams defeat Moyle Rovers 2-11 to 0-10 to qualify to play Carrick Swan in the final.
Certainly, there were signs of Spring in Kilsheelan on Sunday. An odd flash of sunlight lit up the sky and a lively breeze definitely lacked the cold bite of winter. Kickhams had first use of this breeze and they swept into an early attack with Jack Shelly placing Micheál Dunne for the first point within thirty seconds. This was to remain the pattern of the game. Shelly worked hard out in midfield and the ball was quickly played into nominal full forward Dunne who in the rest of the game scored another 2-8. His first goal came in four minutes and his second in 14 minutes. Neither shot gave goalie, Eoin O’Connor a chance. This left the score Mullinahone 2-4, Moyle Rovers 0-2.
The early speed and skill of the Kickhams caught Rovers unawares as the Rovers were the stronger, heavier more physical side. Mullinahone added three points in the second quarter from Kelly, Hogan and Dunne to open up a 2-7 to 0-2 lead after 22 minutes. Rovers rallied in the last eight minutes of the half with points from Gleeson, Ryan and Gleeson again to leave eight points in it at half time 2-7 to 0-5. In 27 minutes came a significant moment when a “21” from Stephen Quirke was brilliantly saved in the Kickhams goal by Richie Walsh. He was to repeat this save again towards the end of the game. The first half saw Kickhams” rapier” in attack much more effective than the Moyle.”broadsword”.
The second half saw points exchanged as the tempo dropped with Moyle doing most of the attacking. The Kickhams defence marshalled by Luke Mullally, aided by Daragh Kelly stood firm. With ten minutes to go, Mullinahone still had an eight point advantage. Dara Ryan pointed a Moyle Rovers free in 24 minutes, but within a minute Micheál Dunne replied with a similar score from a free into the breeze and well into his own half. It was a point worthy of Eoin Kelly in his prime. In the final quarter, Mullinahone conceded quite a number of frees around the field as they fought for every ball. We had three yellow cards during the game. This was the only part of the game where Moyle Rovers were the victors. They won by two cards to one. Referee, Willie Barrett kept the play flowing on a heavy pitch, but frees became more numerous as the players began to tire towards the end of the game. The last actions were a series of good saves by Walsh in the Mullinahone goal, a yellow card for one of the Rovers wing backs and an exchange of points between Micheál Dunne (C.J.K.) and Brian Gleeson (M.R). This left the final score Mullinahone C.J.K. 2-11 Moyle Rovers 0-10.
The Kickhams now go forward to play Swan in the final. They have improved considerably since losing to Swan in their group stage game. Their last three games have pitted them against county minor champions of the recent past. They haven’t tasted defeat in the three games winning two and drawing one. On the debit side, they are a somewhat small and young side with four of the team expected to challenge for county minor places in 2016. However, Swan will have the advantage of a win over Mullinahone earlier in the championship and the experience of playing outside the division. Moyle Rovers had good players on Sunday, but they lacked the sharpness of Mullinahone. The absence of games since they qualified for the semi-final definitely told against them, but they are a young side who would benefit from more concentration on hurling. Overall, Sunday’s game was most enjoyable.
Teams:
Mullinahone C.J. Kickhams: Richie Walsh, Paul Luttrell, George Browning, Liam Hicks, Daragh Kelly, Luke Mullally, Graham Horan, Jack Shelly, Michael Cody, David Walzer, Enda Keane, Colin Shelly, Joe Hogan, Micheál Dunne, Sean Walzer.
Moyle Rovers: Eoin O’Connor, Conor Bates, Brian Norris, Kevin O’Donnell, Shane Luttrell, Ross Mulcahy, David Roberts, Brian Gleeson, Shane Lonergan, Tadhg Fitzgerald, Stephen Quirke, Morgan Irwin, Dara Ryan, Tommy Morrissey, Aidan Butler.
Referee: Willie Barrett (Ardfinnan)
Report supplied by Ricky Sheehan
