Moneygall firepower drives them to U13B title win over Combo

North Tipperary U13B Football Championship Final

Moneygall 4-11

Templederry/Ballinahinch 1-3

By Michael Dundon

A rampant Moneygall side ran out easy winners of the North U13B football final at Borrisoleigh on Sunday last despite the best efforts of the Templederry/Ballinahinch combination.

Once a footballing stronghold in the North division, there may be a return to former glory for the Moneygall lads as this group of players would not have been out of their depth in the higher grade and if they can be kept together, they could in time emerge as a footballing force.

Once Harry Jones, Moneygall’s most impressive player, added a sixth-minute goal to his two earlier points, the trophy was on its way to Moneygall. Jones scored 1-6 in the first half to put Moneygall 2-7 to 0-1 clear by half-time and really out of sight.
Eoin Keeshan got their second goal just before half-time, and they could have had a third but Harry Jones’ effort from a penalty went over the bar.

There was no way back for the Templederry/Ballinahinch combination but they showed admirable courage as they battled to get back into the game in the second half. It was not enough to unsettle Moneygall who had a Sean Maher goal inside a minute of resuming to put the game even further beyond the reach of their rivals.

Liam Crosse had a goal for the combo after seven minutes (4-8 to 1-1) but they lost the influential Tadhg Murphy to injury at the three-quarter stage and never threatened to catch their rivals subsequently, with both managements availing of the opportunity to empty their benches.

Moneygall will go forward with justifiable confidence to the county semi-finals and on this showing have to be in with a good chance of success. Harry Jones was their top player but he had plenty of help from such as Gavin O’Brien, Sean Maher, Conor Nolan, and the Keeshans.

The Templederry/Ballinahinch combination had some fine players but not enough of them to cope with the opposition.
Tadgh Murphy, until injured, Jack Moloughney, Ruairi O’Regan, Benji Browne and Ben Healy all did their utmost to change the course of the game but they gave their all on the day and were unlucky to come up against an in form Moneygall team.

Moneygall: Aaron McNamara; Michael Maher, Cathal Troy, Emmet Burke, Gavin O’Brien, Hugh Smith, Aidan O’Meara (0-1), Donncha Doyle, Conor Nolan (1-0), Harry Jones (1-8), Sean Maher (1-1), Conor Keeshan (0-1), Eoin Keeshan (1-0).

Subs used: JJ Maher, Enda Maxwell, Donncha Franks, Harry Kennedy, Tommy Duffy, Michael Skehill.

Templederry/Ballinahinch: James Ryan; Danny Crosse, Jack Moloughney, Diarmuid Lynch, Ruairi O’Regan (0-1), Conal Burke, Benjy Browne, Ben Healy (0-2), Sean O’Kelly, Tadgh Murphy, Jake Lenihan, Thomas Moynihan, Liam Crosse (1-0).

Subs used: Kyden Hannon, Odhran O’Reilly, Donncha Madden, Dara Cronin, Tom Ryan, Davy Lee, Dylan Maher.

Referee: Ger Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)