Irrepressible Loughmore and Castleiney have signed off on 2014 with yet another shining addition to their trophy cabinet. It’s celebration time too for Moyle Rovers as they underline their emergence as the new hurling force of 2014.
The Ragg was mild and well populated for Sunday’s ‘A’ final of the U21 grade. Loughmore and Kildangan went to battle in late January and delivered a final that was vigorous and sporting and so very tight. Ultimately the game’s solitary goal, poached by Liam McGrath, tilted the contest the Mid’s way.
It was a hugely enjoyable collision then. The hurling may not have been classic top-of-the-sod stuff – it is deep winter after all – but in every other aspect you had a gripping final. Two honest teams went at it with total commitment and the issue hung precariously throughout. Extra time looked likely but the North side just couldn’t manage that leveller before impressive referee, Fergal Horgan, finally called a halt.
Scores were scarce; defences dominated with an extra man at either end. Ultimately that tactic aided Loughmore most. One sensed that Kildangan opted for extra security at the back in face of the McGrath threat; the impressive James Quigley was deployed to do the covering. Ultimately it didn’t prevent the vital goal and perhaps they would have been wiser to push forward in the final quarter because scoring potential was in short supply against a defence superbly marshalled by John Meagher.
Mind you the North side did have their goal chance mid way through the second half when Paul Flynn flashed one across the face of the posts and tantalisingly wide. That miss and Liam McGrath’s opportunism at the other end decided this contest.
Individually John Meagher was the stellar performer at number six for Loughmore. John McGrath was a constant threat at the other end though Liam was relatively quiet apart from that crucial goal. Individuals aside, though, it was the collective which won out here. Loughmore were relentless none more so than the midfield pair of Bill O’Connell and Joseph Nyland. Kildangan will be downcast but they can be proud of a brave effort that with a smidgeon of luck would have won out.
Over in Cashel Moyle Rovers added the ‘B’ title to their minor ‘A’. It’s been a famous year for the South side, undeniably the hurling story of the season. We welcome and celebrate their arrival as a major player in the hurling world. Onwards and upwards has to be their motto.
Meanwhile it’s that time of year when clubs, like counties, are gearing up for the new season and putting personnel in place for the challenges ahead. Joe Brolly mightn’t like it but there’s an open market out there for sought-after managers and coaches. It’s a lucrative one too with clubs forking out big bucks in a bid to extract the maximum reward from their player pool.
As usual at this time of year I’ve been checking out the major movers as we gear up for the start of the 2015 season. There’s little enough change in the West division, which this coming season will have just four senior sides following the relegation of Cashel K.C. Reigning champions, Eire Og Annacarty, not surprisingly are sticking with the successful format of past seasons. Manager Kevin Fox will again be assisted by Paul Sexton as they go in search of three-in-a-row in the West.
Their main rivals in the division, Clonoulty/Rossmore, will also be sticking with last year’s formula. Team manager, Michael Ferncombe, faces into his second season with the club after the disappointment of 2014. Avoiding three defeats in a row to Annacarty will surely be a top priority as well as progressing outside the division.
For the other two West sides senior survival is probably the main target. Kickhams have once again stayed in-house for management with ex-player Aidan Butler taking charge. Cappawhite, however, have gone outside the parish with Borrisoleigh native, Eoin Kennedy, taking over as manager. He was involved with the county camogie side in recent years.
Like the West the South is this time reduced to a four-team championship following the demotion of Davins. Reigning champions, Mullinahone, have yet to finalise their management set-up before they set out in defence of their crown. I suspect they’ll have mixed feelings about 2014. Winning the South was a highlight though their eventual exit to Loughmore in the county semi-final was humbling in its extent.
Probably the club with most unfulfilled potential in the South is Killenaule. Joe O’Dwyer is the latest from their ranks to get senior inter-county exposure and a roll call of the team personnel sounds impressive. Yet results don’t quite match the perception. This year they’ve appointed Kenneth Browne as manager with Paddy Moore from Thurles as trainer/coach.
Ballingarry have gone across the Kilkenny border for a coach with ex-Kilkenny goalie, P.J. Ryan, joining their effort. They avoided relegation with an emphatic win over Cashel K.C. last year so they’ll be hoping for a safer season this time. Goalie James Logue will assist Kerry in 2015.
The loss of Davins deprives the South of those crowd-pulling derbies with Swans; the Board’s coffers take an obvious hit in the process. Swans themselves face a difficult season this time too with the news that one of their most promising upcoming talents, Bill Walsh, has joined Ken McGrath and Mount Sion in Waterford. A county U21 of 2013 his departure is a heavy blow to the team. They’ll be hoping that Danny O’Hanlon returns from Australia to bolster their efforts in what promises to be a difficult season. Ex-county player, Tom Waters, manages the side this year with Paul O’Mahony, Clonmel, recruited to coach the side.
In the other divisions there are some significant movers and shakers too. In the Mid Sarsfields retain last year’s successful management team of Tommy Maher (manager) and Paddy McCormack (coach). A former colleague of theirs, Gary Mernagh, travels out the road to take charge in Upperchurch and Drombane. He’s going into a club with high expectations after a very promising 2014.
Drom/Inch will review 2014 with furrowed brows. They won the Mid and had Sarsfields on the ropes in the county series before the dismissal of James Woodlock scuppered their efforts. This time they retain Declan Fitzgerald as the coach and will probably be close to Sarsfields in the betting for ultimate honours.
Inevitably Nenagh Eire Og will feature prominently in the betting also. They regained the North title last year before failing tantalisingly to Sarsfields in the county quarter-final. Liam Heffernan remains in charge for another tilt in 2015.
Borrisoleigh are often touted as a team with potential – but as often disappoint. This year they’ll have Cashel’s Raymie Ryan in charge as they bid to improve that image.
Kilruane MacDonaghs is a team that has failed to build on recent promise and will have Billy O’Shea, Eamon’s brother, in charge in 2015 in a bid to improve their fortunes.
Kildangan have been making waves in recent times, though last year’s exit to Mullinahone was disappointing. This time Dan Hackett takes charge with ex-Galway and Portumna player, Sean Treacy, doing the coaching.
A North team that made significant strides in 2014 was Templederry Kenyons. Brian Horgan joined them as coach last season and is retained for 2015. Elsewhere in the North John Madden manages Silvermines, Ger Fitzpatrick is with Roscrea and Jim Williams plots Lorrha’s bid.
At other levels Ballingarry’s Liam Cahill combines management of the county minors with coaching Cashel K.C. while T.J. Connolly will assist Kilsheelan/Kilcash as well as managing the county U21s. Fethard’s Michael Ryan, successful county intermediate manager, coaches Carrick Davins. The list goes on, my survey incomplete, but overall you get the sense of busy times as the playing pitches of the county begin to echo to the sound of the ‘caman’ once again. A new season dawns.
By Jonathan Cullen Thu 29th Jan
