Toomevara win North U13A hurling crown while Ballinahinch and Templederry combo claim B title

U13B North Tipperary Hurling Championship Final

Ballinahinch/Templederry 3-7

Burgess 1-9

Ballinahinch and Templederry Kenyons combo team were deserving North U13B champions last Saturday as they managed to put down a stubborn and skillful Burgess team in the curtain raiser to the A decider in Borris-Ileigh.

A fast start to the contest proved to be the combo's crowning, while it also proved to be Burgess’ undoing as it was difficult for the boys in green to drag back the early deficit despite their enormous efforts in the second half.

Indeed, the combo showed real enthusiasm for the game in the early exchanges and they were clinical when presented with their chances as they took a 2-4 to nil lead after ten minutes, which seemed to shellshock the young Burgess players.

A brace of well-taken goals from Odhran O’Kelly in the third and seventh minutes respectively were a huge boost to the combo, while James Ryan bagged two points in that time along with Kayden Hannon and Liam Crosse; Burgess at sea after that early onslaught.

Michael Mulcahy eventually settled the Burgess team with their first score of the game with a well-struck effort in the 11th minute and it gave them a fresh impetus from there as they finished the half strongest, with points from Aaron Philpot, Jack Comerford, and a second from Mulcahy keeping them in touch as they trailed 2-6 to 0-4 at the interval.

A positive start to the second half was required for Burgess and the resilience of the youngsters was evident as Jack Comerford led by example and had hit the back of the net with a brilliant strike straight from the throw-in.

This was a big boost for Burgess and they continued to chip away at the lead and further points from Philpot and Comerford had them back to within two points with well over ten minutes of play to go.

However, their momentum was stopped in its tracks in the 42nd minute when the combo managed to register their third goal - and first of the half - in fortuitous circumstances as a long shot for a point from Liam Crosse ended up in the back of the net with Tommy Morgan in the Burgess goal unlucky with the flight of the ball and the glare from the sun in his eyes.

In fairness to Burgess, they never stopped coming and had several goal chances scuppered by the impressive netminding of Tadgh Murphy, and had even one of those rattled the net, it could have changed the result.

Alas, it wasn’t to be as the combo held firm, and with Liam Crosse pointing a long range free with the last score of the game two minutes from time, they found their way to victory and were deservedly crowned North champions.

The combination had some terrific performances with Liam Crosse a pillar of strength in defence, along with Kayden Hannon and James Ryan up top, while Tadgh Murphy gave a class performance between the sticks.

Burgess had plenty of shining lights themselves, with Jack Comerford never giving up all game, taking the fight forward for his team, while Thomas Ryan at full-bac, Aaron Philpot and Eoin Hogan all impressing.

Ballinahinch/Templederry: Tadgh Murphy; Conal Bourke, Diarmuid Lynch; Davy Lee, Danny Crosse, Liam Crosse (1-2, 0-1f); Thomas Moynihan, Ben Healy; Benji Browne, Jack Lenihan, Odhran O’Kelly (2-0), Kayden Hannon (0-1), James Ryan (0-4, 0-1f).

Subs used: Ruari O’Regan.

Burgess: Tommy Morgan; Michael Kennedy, Thomas Ryan; Rory Coyle, Eoin Hogan, Ben Stanley; Jack Comerford (1-4, 0-1f), Aaron Philpot (0-3); Michael Mulcahy (0-2), Tom Cahalan, Shaun Hanrahan, Charlie Sharkey.

No subs used.

Referee: Tommy Hogan (Toomevara)