Newport record narrow one-point win over Kiladangan to win U17B Hurling crown

North Tipperary U17B Hurling Championship Final

Newport 0-15

Kiladangan 2-8

By Liam Hogan

Newport did just about enough to win their first North Under 17 B hurling title thanks to a one point win over Kiladangan in a very exciting contest played at Portroe last Monday evening.

Having led by seven points at one stage, the new champions looked very much the part of hot favourites but Kiladangan recovered and pushed them all the way in the remaining 45 minutes with their second goal in the 62nd minute causing the Newport support to suffer some nail biting moments before the final whistle.

Newport entered the game as hot favourites thanks to their impressive run at group stage. Newport had much of the ball delivered and up front for them, Jack McCarthy, Callum Poole and Cillian Collins created a lot of danger every time they approached goal.

Helped by the strong breeze Newport were quick off the mark as Cillian Collins scored a point after ten seconds before Jack McCarthy added a second in the third minute. Evan Sherlock’s free got Kiladangan of the mark in the eight minute but Newport continued on the front foot and built up a 0-8 to 0-1 lead thanks to six unanswered points with Collins increasing his tally to three, including one more from play, ably assisted by two points each by the speedy Callum Poole and Jack McCarthy, the latter also scoring from a free.

Kiladangan looked well beaten but received a stroke of luck in the 17th minute when Newport goalkeeper Ryan Shinners lost possession and Oisin Sheahan probed the ball over the line. Seconds later Evan Sherlock pointed from play but Jack Mcarthy picked up his third with a free in the 20th minute.

Points by Evan Sherlock (free) and Tom Boland had the margin down to two but another McCarthy free eased Newport to a 0-10 to 1-4 half time lead.

The opening eight minutes in the second half saw Newport pick up the baton as they scored three unanswered points with Cillian Collins scoring first before Jack McCarthy added two more, the first from a free. The next ten minutes were devoid of scores as the wide tally by both teams had increased especially Kiladangan from both frees and placed balls.

But the Kiladangan defence had begun to get the measure of their opponents especially Diarmuid Fogarty who inspired at centre back. Both Dara O’Dwyer and Jack Minehan had their moments as had Tom Boland and Evan Sherlock and as a result the Kiladangan fightback was growing legs and two Evan Sherlock frees in the 47th and 48th minutes.
Cillian Collins replied with a free a minute later and Newport might have sealed the day but for Jayden Richardson producing a great save when he denied Jack McCarthy in the 57th minute.

Kiladangan fought back and two more Sherlock frees left them three in arrears with the game deep into added time before Callum Poole’s point in the 62nd minute moved Newport four clear for what looked like a safe lead.

Kiladangan would not give up and a wonderful run by Darragh O’Dwyer paid off as his low shot spun past Ryan Shinners. Trailing by a point Kiladangan came in search of an equaliser but the Newport defence held firm to win.

Newport: Ryan Shinners; Luke Kennedy, Harry Lee, Dara McGrath; Darragh Meaney, Shane Flanagan, Adam Power; Daithi Whelan, Damien O’Brien; Tom Ryan, Eoghan Flynn (0-1), Jack McCarthy (0-6, 0-3f); Calum Poole (0-3), Cillian Collins (0-5, 0-1f), Darragh Mackey.

Subs used: Darragh Gavin for T Ryan (HT); Brian McCabe for Mackey (50). Martin McCabe for Whelan (62).

Kiladangan: Jayden Richardson; Eoin Kelly, Gavin McGrath, Scott Garland; Ruairi Gavin, Diarmuid Fogarty, Kieran Leahy; Dara O’Dwyer (1-0), Jack Minehan; Tom Boland (0-1), Evan Sherlock (0-7, 0-6f), Chullain McGrath; Callum Ryan, Oisin Sheahan (1-0), John Meagher.

Subs used: Riain McGrath for C Ryan (37).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea)