Gortnahoe Glengoole turn on the style as they swat aside West combo to win U19B county title

FBD Insurance County U19B Hurling Championship Final

Gortnahoe-Glengoole 4-19

Éire Óg/Sean Treacys 1-9

By Michael Dundon

Gortnahoe-Glengoole’s under-age run of success continued at Semple Stadium on Sunday as they completely outplayed the West Tipp combination of Eire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys to lift the county under 19B hurling crown.

There was a large early attendance for what many predicted would be a cracking encounter but they were disappointed with the mismatch that evolved as the Eire Og/Sean Treacys combination never rose to the challenge and were a well-beaten team long before the end.

In a contest that was too one-sided to generate real intensity, Gortnahoe-Glengoole looked in a different class to the combination and by half-time had developed a commanding position, leading 1-8 to 0-4. 

The goal came after 26 minutes courtesy of Aaron Dwyer who skipped past the opposition before netting, and with county minor Damian Corbett also chipping in with four points, the Mid lads were coasting at the break.

It was going to require a huge turn-about from the combo in the second half but after five minutes their fate was sealed when Damina Corbett got Gortnahoe’s second goal off an Aaron Dwyer pass to go 2-11 to 0-5 clear.

Three minutes later Dwyer bagged his second goal and Gortnahoe’s third and he rounded off an impressive personal performance with the fourth goal two minutes later. 

Trailing 0-6 to 4-11 the West lads were a “beaten docket” but credit them with admirable spirit they kept plugging away and after 46 minutes Darragh Kelly netted from a twenty metre free (4-16 to 1-7).

Their woes were not over however, as they lost Max Carroll to a second yellow card shortly afterwards but it was of little consequence as the game petered out,  Gortnahoe supporters readying their celebrations for a very welcome county title.

This win is an immense boost to the Gortnahoe Glengoole club and is the fruit of the great work being done at the under-age level there. It greatly compensates for the disappointment of the defeat of the club’s premier intermediate hurlers who had hoped for promotion this year to the top flight. 

There is a wealth of young talent in this side with Aaron Dwyer bagging a hat-trick of goals on Sunday. Damian Corbett was a big threat from play and frees while the parts played by Conor Gleeson, David Lanigan, Tomas Meaney, and Liam Hayes were also worthy of note.

The West boys did not do themselves justice on Sunday. They had been most impressive en route to the final but perhaps the big occasion got to them as they never played to their known ability. Their poor start shattered their confidence but they will be the better for this experience. 

They too had some quality players in the side but unfortunately not enough of them. Colm Kennedy, Darragh Kelly, Larry Collins, Adam O Dwyer and Darragh Carr led by example but they lacked the support necessary to upset opposition of Gortnahoe Glengoole’s calibre.

Gortnahoe Glengoole: Lee Norton; Paddy Norton, Brandon Ryan-Webster, Luke Kavanagh; Adam Butler, David Lanigan, Tomas Meaney (0-2); Liam Hayes (0-1), Conor Gleeson (0-2); Billy Hogan (0-1), Bobby Doheny (0-2), Aaron Dwyer (3-1); Kevin Laffan (0-1), Damian Corbett (1-8, 0-5f), Lorcan Burke (0-1).

Subs used: Declan Teehan for Hogan (45); Jason Kelly for Laffan (45); Jack Gleeson for Meaney (52); David Stanley for Dwyer (56); Darren Ryan for P Norton (56).

Eire Og/SeanTreacys: Michael Ryan; Scott Ryan, Aaron Lenihan, Max Carroll; Daniel Kelly, Colm Kennedy, Colin Heffernan; Ronan Carr, Adam O’Dwyer; Michael Furlong, Darragh Kelly (1-6, 0-3f), Liam Crosse; James Butler, Darragh Carr (0-1), Larry Collins (0-2).

Subs used: Colm Ryan for Crosse (HT); Adam Kelly for Furlong (53); Timmy Costello for R Carr (53); Jack Brett for Heffernan (58); Colm Ryan for J Butler (58).

Referee: Nigel Carrigan (Newcastle)