REPORTS: Toomevara and Clonakenny are amongst the county U13 champions after last weekend

County U13A Hurling Championship Final

Toomevara 4-10

Drom & Inch 1-7

Toomevara were deservedly crowned County U13A champions after a fantastic performance saw the young Greyhounds to victory over a very skillful and committed Drom & Inch team in the showcase final in Holycross last Saturday afternoon.

Despite a resistant display from a strong and stubborn Drom & Inch team, the North champions were full value for their win and after winning the North final with plenty in reserve earlier this month, they backed it up with an even better performance in Holycross.

The early initiative went to Toomevara and they had a comfortable lead built by half-time with some brilliant play in their forward line giving them a 2-5 to 0-4 lead at the break with Donnacha Kelly’s long-range goal after just three minutes giving them a boost immediately.

Jayden Delaney looked menacing early along with the inside line of Theo Dunne and Aidan O’Gorman and despite Drom & Inch getting scores through the impressive Tadhg Fitzpatrick and Sean Ryan in the half, Toome were the leaders at half-time with Theo Dunne’s goal a minute from time - after a brilliant pass from Dan Daly - had them in a good position with the second half to come.

Aidan O’Gorman had the young Greyhounds were “fast away” upon the resumption with a well-taken point from play within a minute but they had David McElligott to thank in the goals when he prevented a Drom goal smartly, coming off his line to smother the ball close to goal.

That was only a brief reprieve for Toome as Drom & Inch eventually found the goal they needed, and it came from a reliable source with Tadhg Fitzpatrick goaling from a well-struck, close-range free to bring Drom back into contention.

However, that comeback never materialised as the North champions regained control soon after with Dan Daly getting the first of the game, along with Jayden Delaney who became the main man for Toome scoring 2-3 in the remainder of the second half to copperfasten the Toome win and give them a well-deserved county title in the process.

Best on the day were Jayden Delaney, Aidan O’Gorman, Conall Hartnett, and Theo Dunne to name but a few of the Toome team who were all excellent in their own right; while Tadhg Fitzpatrick, Sean Ryan, Cathal Lillis, and Liam Butler brought the fight to Toome all day in what was a great advert for underage hurling.

Toomevara: David McElligott; Charlie Hackett, Sean O’Brien; Neil Ryan, Conall Hartnett, Robbie Powell; Oliver Duff (0-1), Dan Daly (0-1); Donnacha Kelly (1-0), Jayden Delaney (2-5, 0-5f), Michéal Fitzpatrick; Theo Dunne (1-0), Aidan O’Gorman (0-3).

Subs used: Tadhg Ryan, Adam Cummins, Daniel Cleary.

Drom & Inch: Liam Butler; Dylan Hicks, Eoin Sheridan; Logan Blake, Oisin Loughnane, Harry Scanlon; Sean Ryan (0-3), Cathal Lillis (0-1); James Barry, Tadhg Long, Tadhg Fitzpatrick (1-3, 0-1f); Jack Shanahan, Ross Gleeson.

Subs used: Luke Kennedy, Michéal Maher, Tadhg Heaney, Daniel Coleman, Conor Stapleton.

Referee: Declan Hickey (Boherlahan Dualla)