Comprehensive win for Kilsheelan/Kilcash in Tipperary Under 19 B football final

Kilsheelan/Kilcash 4-15 Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-6

A sparkling display of fluent football saw Kilsheelan/Kilcash claim the FBD Insurance County Under 19 B Football Championship title with a comprehensive win over a spirited, but eventually outclassed, Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams at Fethard Town Park on Saturday.

The 4G surface suited the south side’s brand of crisp and fast football, with a total of 3-13 from open play reflecting their style of play.

They had heroes all over the field, with Liam Freaney and Senan Butler particularly outstanding in attack, Freaney ending up with 2-3, and Butler kicking four superb points before injury forced his early departure.

Kilsheelan were also superb in defence. Kickhams’ total of just 1-6, with 1-3 from play, might suggest that they seldom troubled the Kilsheelan defence, but that wasn’t the case. They took the game to Kilsheelan, with forceful play from the tireless Sean Cannon, Orrin Jones, Shane Buckley and team captain Joe O’Dwyer, but outstanding defence from Kilsheelan, with vital blocks and intercepts, cancelled the threat.

Team captain Oisin Lavin was dominant at the heart of the defence, with Harry Roche Nagle another solid presence, popping up all over the field. However, Sean Cannon’s display for Kickhams equalled anything on the winners’ side, with his runs at the heart of the defence causing huge problems. At the end he could give no more and was warmly applauded as he was helped off the field after picking up a late injury.

Despite a bright start from Kilsheelan, there were early indications that a close contest was in prospect in the second game of a triple bill at the outstanding Fethard facility. Points from Senan Butler, after just 35 seconds, and Tommy O’Connor a minute later, put the south side two ahead, but Kickhams were ahead by the fifth minute.

Orrin Jones put Shane Buckley through for their opening point and a minute later Joe O’Dwyer hit a cracking goal after he was sent clear by Adam Daly. But instead of being able to build on their 1-1 to 0-2 lead, Kickhams suffered a double whammy in the space of thirty seconds.

A kick from Liam Freaney on the standside, that was more of a cross than a shot, deceived Kickhams goalkeeper Michael Gleeson and ended up in the corner of the net. The west Tipp side had hardly recovered when Tommy O’Connor scored another goal in the next move. Senan Butler added another quick point and Kilsheelan had gone 2-3 to 1-1 ahead in the space of two minutes.

Kickhams were rattled and didn’t score again for the remaining twenty minutes of the half. Points from Freaney and Butler pushed the Kilsheelan lead out to seven points, 2-5 to 1-1, but the only score in the second quarter was another point from the hugely impressive Butler to give Kilsheelan a 2-6 to 1-1 half time lead.

There was wayward shooting on both sides in the lead-up to the break but the best goal chance fell to Kickhams. Another run from Cannon won a free. It was taken quickly and a shot from Shane Buckley was blocked and in a scramble that followed, the ball was eventually booted wide.

Kickhams had needed a score, as they fell further behind thirty seconds into the second half with Mickey McGuire setting up Freaney for a point.

However, in fairness to them, they remained competitive for the opening ten minutes.

Orrin Jones from a free had their first score in 23 minutes and then when Kilsheelan had their second of the half through McGuire, Kickhams responded again through Shane Buckley.

When Freaney pointed again from another McGuire assist, Orrin Jones was on target once more from a free. The Kilsheelan defence was being seriously tested but they were resolute in their tackling and blocking to deny Kickhams’ best efforts.

And they put the result beyond all doubt with a move the length of the pitch involving Jack Norris, Lucas Shiel and Mikey McGuire before Liam Freaney finished with his second goal. A pointed free from Tommy O’Connor gave Kilsheelan a 3-10 to 1-4 lead entering the final quarter.

Kickhams scored just twice more, an Orrin Jones free and Joe O’Dwyer from play from a Jones pass. Kilsheelan hit another 1-5 as they closed out the game, emptying the bench in the process – and with two of the subs getting in on the scoring. Jack Landy pointed twice, his first coming with his first touch of the game, while Michael Bates wasn’t long on the pitch when he slotted home a penalty for Kilsheelan’s fourth goal.

It was all too easy for the south side in the end. In Senan Butler they had one of the best players on the pitch, with four great points and a precision pass midway through the first half that found Ru Kelly unmarked in front of goal, but he pulled his low shot wide.

Liam Freaney’s 2-3 was another huge contribution, with Tommy O’Connor and Mikey McGuire also impressing in attack. Ru Kelly was busy throughout with Oisin Lavin, Harry Roche Nagle and Aaron Costin all in top form.

Midfielder Sean Cannon was a powerhouse for Kickhams, but the west side didn’t have the firepower upfront to turn the pressure into scores. However, Orrin Jones, Shane Buckley and Joe O’Dwyer never gave up the fight, while an overworked defence battled bravely to contain such an impressive Kilsheelan attack.

Kilsheelan/Kilcash: Oisin O’Donoghue, Jack Norris, Harry Roche Nagle, Billy O’Gorman, Lucas Shiel, Oisin Lavin, Aaron Costin 0-1; Ru Kelly 0-1; Mark Ryan, Liam Freaney 2-3; Tommy O’Connor 1-3, 0-2 frees; Senan Butler 0-4; Eoin Barry, Mikey McGuire 0-1; John Brunnock.

Subs: Matthew Roche Nagle for Eoin Barry, Jack Landy 0-2 for Mikey McGuire, Alex Hanrahan for Senan Butler (injured), Michael Bates 1-0, penalty, for Liam Freaney, Luke Keyes for Ru Kelly.

Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Michael Gleeson, David Kingston, Brian Furlong, Tom O’Driscoll, Diarmuid Kinnane, Conor Farrell, Diarmuid Carr, Adam Daly, Sean Cannon, Sean Kingston, Orrin Jones 0-3 frees; Shane Buckley 0-2; Aaron Horgan, Joe O’Dwyer 1-1; Philly O’Neill.

Subs: Donncha Cleary for Aaron Horgan, Jerry Buckley for Sean Kingston, Sean Kingston for Diarmuid Kinnane.

Referee: Sean Lonergan (Ballylooby/Castlegrace).