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

County U13B Hurling Championship Final

Ballinahinch/Templederry 4-7

Loughmore Castleiney 1-10

By Michael Dundon

The concession of three first-half goals proved Loughmore Castleiney’s undoing in their bid to capture the County Coiste na nOg U13 hurling, B title at Holycross on Saturday last where the North Tipp combination of Ballinahinch and Templederry emerged deservedly triumphant by a six point margin.

Each side registered eleven scores but significantly, Ballinahinch-Templederry bagged four goals to Loughmore’s one, and that was the difference between the sides. James Ryan got three of the winners’ goals and was a huge threat all through, his height and pace causing Loughmore problems.

From the time James Ryan got his first goal for the winners after just two minutes, Loughmore were chasing the game.
That effort off a long-range free which took a deflection to the net put his side ahead 1-0 to 0-1.

Loughmore responded with a brace of Mickie Loughnane pointed frees but were undone again after 12 minutes when Ryan blasted home his second goal.

Thomas Kennedy got the vital touch for a Loughmore goal two minutes later but Ryan struck again for Templederry after 19 minutes, his goal giving his side a 3-4 to 1-4 lead and at half-time they were 3-5 to 1-6 to the good.

Loughmore were having as much of the play and had every reason for optimism facing into the second half but in a matter of seconds the north combo had their fourth goal, Ben Healy benefitting from James Ryan’s “feed”.

The Mid boys now had a mountain to climb but were not found wanting in terms of determination. They trailed 1-8 to 4-7 after 14 minutes when Thomas Kennedy’s drive for a goal was well-saved by Tadhg Murphy in the winners’ goal.

Had they raised a green flag there it would have given them the ideal platform for a grand-stand finish. They did pile on the pressure and had the last two points of the game from Dylan Considine and Mickie Loughnane, but the margin separating the sides was too much and Ballinahinch/Templederry stayed comfortably clear to Shane O’Neill’s final whistle sounding.

This success will give these clubs a badly needed boost and raise hopes for the future. In James Ryan, they had an outstanding player on the pitch and in essence he was the difference between the sides.

Goalkeeper Tadhg Murphy also had a big game as did Liam Crosse at the heart of the defence. Ben Browne, and Diarmuid Lynch were others to shine.

Though defeat was their lot, there was much to admire about the Loughmore boys, and they too had several players who will surely grace the club colours for years to come.

Dylan Considine and Killian Cleary worked their socks off in defence. Mickie Loughnane was the main threat in attack with Milo McDonald and Tom Ryan others to catch the eye.

Ballinahinch/Templederry: Tadhg Murphy; Conal Bourke, Diarmuid Lynch; Davy Lee, Danny Crosse, Liam Crosse (0-1f); Ben Healy (1-0), Benji Browne (0-1); Jack McLoughney, Odhran Kelly, Sean O’Kelly; James Ryan (3-5, 1-2f), Kayden Hannon.

Subs used: Jake Linehan; Thomas Moynihan.

Loughmore Castleiney: Adam Tynan; John Sheehan, Tom Ryan; Milo McDonald, Daoire Kennedy, Killian Cleary; Dylan Considine (0-1) Sean McGrath; Thomas Kennedy (1-0), Tadgh Stapleton, Mickie Loughnane (0-7, 0-5f); Ollie Morris, Conor Sweeney.

Subs used: Daniel Kennedy; Charlie Keogh.

Referee: Shane O’Neill (St Mary’s)