Kickhams secure West Tipperary Under 19 B football title with tremendous fightback

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 2-9 Cappawhite Gaels 2-8

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams turned around a nine-point half-time deficit to pip Cappawhite Gaels to claim the Bridge House Golden West Under 19 B football championship title.

On a crisp night in Clonoulty, Kickhams looked to have done enough to force extra-time but in the final kick of the game Orrin Jones scored the winning point three minutes into injury time to seal honours for Kickhams.

The first half was a far cry from where the game would finish and it was certainly the proverbial game of two halves.

Cappawhite Gaels dominated the first half and helped by two goals from Daragh O’Hora and Tristen Stokes, along with four points from the boot of Conor Martin, who put in a huge shift in the middle of the field, the 2021 champions looked to be well on their way to a second title in three years by the half-time whistle.

Kickhams, though, came out a different team in the second half. While they reduced the lead with a Diarmuid Kinane goal, they missed a number of scorable chances and it looked as if the comeback would come up just short. Orrin Jones goaled from a penalty with four minutes to play and as they continued to get on a lot of the ball the same player, who had earlier kicked what was the score of the game, would ultimately kick the winning point.

Adam Daly had Kickhams off the mark in the second minute but for the rest of the half it was Cappawhite Gaels who dictated. Just under two minutes later Conor Martin levelled the game. Martin covered an immense amount of ground, kicking some great scores while Cian O’Carroll was showing well at centre back.

By the seventh minute Tommy O’Mahoney, who continually went forward at every opportunity, set up Tristan Stokes, who added the Gaels’ first goal. By the end of the first quarter Conor Martin had added two more to his tally and Cappawhite Gaels were 1-5 to 0-1 ahead.

Kickhams briefly got some respite, with Sean Cannon trying to get a grip on midfield. Orrin Jones came more into the game and kicked two superb points, including one that was definitely the score of the game. Conor Martin, though, had Cappawhite Gaels back motoring with his fourth of the game and just before the break Darragh O’Hora raised a second green flag.

By the break, Cappawhite Gaels led 2-7 to 0-4.

Kickhams got a huge boost to their chances of a revival in the fifth minute after the resumption when Diarmuid Kinane was in the right place at the right time to goal. Joe O’Dwyer followed soon afterwards with a point from play. Sean Cannon was making his presence felt in midfield, winning a lot of primary possession and he, along with Conor Farrell and Orrin Jones, led the comeback.

The game could have gone beyond Kickhams in the tenth minute but Michael Gleeson denied Conor Martin a certain goal. Between the ninth and 16th minutes Kickhams missed three crucial chances and it looked as if things were slipping away from them.

Cappawhite were finding it harder to get into the Kickhams third of the field and dropped a number of efforts short. In the 20th minute Orrin Jones pointed a free, his side’s first score in thirteen minutes and three minutes later repeated the trick. A goal was all now that separated the sides.

The comeback was complete by the 25th minute. Aaron Horgan was fouled and referee Sean Peters signalled a penalty. Orrin Jones stepped up and kicked past Faolan Doyle to tie the contest.

Immediately Cappawhite Gaels were on the attack and Sam Carmody restored their advantage with what turned out to be their only score of the half. With the game two minutes into injury time, patient play from Kickhams and a turnover or two eventually resulted in Adam Daly tying the contest.

There was still time for one more play and Orrin Jones kicked the winning score.

The presentation of the cup was somewhat subdued due to injuries sustained to a player on either side and both are wished a speedy recovery.

Scorers: Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Orrin Jones (1-6, 1-0 penalty, 0-3f), Diarmuid Kinane (1-0), Adam Daly (0-2), Joe O’Dwyer (0-1).

Cappawhite Gaels: Conor Martin (0-4), Tristan Stokes (1-1, 0-1f), Darragh O’Hora (1-1), Stephen Dee (0-1), Sam Carmody (0-1).

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Michael Gleeson, Tom O’Driscoll, Diarmuid Kinane, Davy Kingston, Diarmuid Carr, Conor Farrell, Brian Furlong, Adam Daly, Sean Cannon, Aaron Horgan, Orrin Jones, Shane Buckley, Sean Kingston, Joe O’Dwyer, Philly O’Neill.

Sub: Jerry Buckley (temporary).

Cappawhite Gaels: Faolan Doyle, Patrick Horan, Tommy Costello, Caoimhin Doody, Thomas O’Mahony, Cian O’Carroll, Michael English, Conor Martin, Stephen Dee, Brian Buckley, Sam Carmody, Darragh O’Hora, Sean O’Shea, Tristan Stokes, Kyle Walsh.
Sub: Sean Hayes.

Referee: Seanie Peters (Aherlow).