Moyle Rovers return to Intermediate grade after defeat of Kiladangan in Junior A final

FBD Insurance Junior A Hurling Championship Final

Moyle Rovers 2-15

Kiladangan 0-11

By Michael Dundon

Moyle Rovers got some measure of compensation for their tame exit from the county senior football championship a week previously as their junior A hurling side, which included a liberal sprinkling of the defeated footballers, proved far superior to Kiladangan in the FBD Insurance-sponsored county final at Templemore on Saturday.

Relegated last year from the intermediate grade, many expected a speedy return for Kiladangan, but from the time Killian Butler netted to give Moyle Rovers the lead (1-0 to 0-2) after five minutes, the South champions always looked the likely winners, establishing a five points lead by half-time and keeping daylight between them and their rivals until Anthony Phelan sealed the issue with Rovers’ second goal early in the last quarter.

Given this is the fourth tier in the county hurling championships, Moyle Rovers showed themselves to be a very accomplished side, played some very tidy hurling, and had a marked edge in pace and fitness over the rivals. 

They ran out comfortable winners despite losing Ben Owens to injury after 23 minutes. It looked like a game-changing occurrence as Owens had up to then dominated for Rovers in a sweeping role, but the Clonmel contingent took the setback in their stride and were full value for their win.

A ten-point loss did not reflect Kiladangan’s contribution to an entertaining encounter, but there was no question as to which was the better team, despite a gutsy performance from Kiladangan. 

Their disappointment at seeing another county title slip by them, following the loss of their seniors a few weeks previously, is understandable but to be seriously involved at the business end of the championships indicates that there is great potential there and the rewards will surely follow.

That Killian Butler goal got Moyle Rovers moving and after nineteen minutes they were 1-6 to 0-3 clear, Dara Ryan, Kevin Grace and Killian Butler each adding two points to their tally before half-time. Neil Cahalan, Kiladangan’s best player, kept them in touch with three points before the break at which stage Moyle Rovers led 1-8 to 0-6.

The game was by no means beyond Kiladangan’s reach but in a closely fought third quarter, Rovers kept them at arm’s length reaching the three-quarter stage with a 1-13 to 0-10 advantage. Anthony Phelan’s goal after a defensive fumble after 47 minutes put Rovers firmly in control and they never looked back from that to the finish.

Moyle Rovers players and fans relished this victory and had every reason to be pleased with the performance. There is a lot of quality in the side and it can safely be said that they will not be out of their depth in the higher grade next year. 

Though Kiladangan were the more physical side, Rovers matched them in the close exchanges but had an edge in speed and athleticism about the field which created the space from which scores accrued.

Ben Owens was having a Player of the Match performance when forced to retire after just 23 minutes but Rovers did not want for leaders with Dara Ryan outstanding in attack and Rory Collins starring when moved to defence after Owens’ departure. They were not alone as Kevin Grace, Riain Quigley, Anthony Phelan and Shane Ryan also put in big shifts.

It has been a frustrating year for Kiladangan. Many people’s favourites for senior honours, they were caught late by Moycarkey and here the junior title slipped by them but they can have no complaints. 

They were always chasing the game after that early Rovers goal, but up to the time they conceded the second goal, they were still in with a chance. Overall, however, they were beaten by a better team. In Neil Cahalan they had a star performer who led by example and former senior Martin Minehan did a lot of hurling in the number six position.  

Gavin McGrath also did well in defence but the return from their attack was poor, three points from the six forwards, DJ McGrath accounting for two of them. Too many of the side did not play to their best on the day and they duly paid the penalty.

Moyle Rovers: Brian Gleeson; Cathal McKeon, Conor McGrath, Brian Mc Keown; Luke Boland, Ben Owens, Shane Ryan; Riain Quigley (0-1), Kevin Grace (0-2); Killian Butler (1-2), Dara Ryan (0-6, 0-5f), Rory Collins; Dean English, Anthony Phelan (1-1), Luke Delahunty (0-2).

Subs used: Daire Luttrell for Owens (23); Nathan Croke for B McKeown (55); Sean Hackett for Grace (57); Danny Lyne (0-1) for Phelan (58); Michael O’Reilly for Butler (58).

Kiladangan: Ciaran Kelly; Gavin McGrath, Shane Seymour, Jack McGrath; Darragh Ryan, Martin Minehan, Ronan Ducie; Johnny Horan, Neil Cahalan (0-8, 0-3f); Bill Cleary, Matthew Cleary, Dan O’Meara; DJ McGrath (0-2), Eoghan Sharkey (0-1), Eoin Meagher.

Subs used: Daragh Butler for B Cleary (26); Eoin Kelly for Sharkey (HT); Stephen Mulvihill for Meagher (40); Paddy Gallagher for Seymour (49); Ryan Gillick for O’Meara (59).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)