Arravale rising after adding U17A West hurling title to honours in defeat of Cappa Gaels

West Tipperary U17A Hurling Championship Final

Arravale Rovers 1-22

Cappawhite Gaels 0-12

By Michael McCarthy

Arravale Rovers continued their unbeaten run with a well-deserved and easy victory in the West U17 A hurling final last Sunday. The Tipp Town side playing with the aid of the breeze led from the start and were never under any real pressure.

Adam Ryan, David Ryan, Ciaran Kelly, and the impressive duo of Jaye Cilvinas and Donnacha Quigley, who were all fresh off an excellent performance in the West U19 B equivalent, were again to the fore in this game. Diminutive corner-forward Quigley would finish the game with 1-5 to his name.

Arravale Rovers started brightly and led 0-4 to nil after 15 minutes. Adam Ryan & the impressive Quigley getting on the score sheet early. It would be 17 minutes in before Darragh O’Hora would get the first score for the combo and that was quickly followed up by substitute Oisin O’Neill’s point from play. 

O’Neill replaced the injured Morgan O’Connor following a foot injury. This would be as close as Cappwhite Gaels would get and Adam Ryan, Ciaran Kelly, and a wonderful score from Cilvanas had Arravale in a commanding 0-10 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Arravale Rovers would get the first four points again after half-time into the wind. At this point, it was a case of how much they might win by but to their credit, Cappawhite Gaels fought on gamely with Ciarán Gantley, Conor McCarthy, and Ciaran Downey adding to their tally. Donnacha Quigley rounded out a fine individual performance with a good finish for a green flag after being set up by Adam Ryan.

It was a commanding and impressive performance from Arravale Rovers who hounded their opponents at every opportunity. They added the U17A crown to their U15A title win from two years ago and will hope to go one better and reach a County Final. The West reps play the Mid reps in the County Quarter-Finals.

Robert O’Brien was in good form for the winners at full-back with Declan Cotter and David Ryan impressive in the half line. Cilvanas was the pick of the midfielders on show with Adam Ryan, Ciaran Kelly, Stephen Ryan, and Player of the Match Donnacha Quigley being the most impressive of a talented forward six. 

Cappawhite Gaels are a young side with 11 of the starting team underage again next year. Jack Ryan and Cathal Martin battled gamely at the back but were always under pressure under the weight of the Arravale Rovers onslaught. Sean Hayes, Conor McCarthy, Darragh O’Hora, and the youngest player on the field Ciaran Gantley never stopped trying for them.

Credit must also go to young referee Cian Ryan. Handled the game brilliantly, added to the occasion, and looks to have a real future as the man in the middle.

Arravale Rovers: Adam Keogh; Darragh Bresnan, Robert O’Brien, Conor Kelly; Alan Delaney, David Ryan (0-1), Declan Cotter; Jaye Cilvinas (0-3), Matthew Kinnane; Sean Kinnane, Adam Ryan (0-7, 0-2f), Patrick Beary; Stephen Ryan (0-2), Ciaran Kelly (0-4), Donnacha Quigley (1-5, 0-1f). 

Subs used: Conor O’Donoghue, Ethan Daly, Mark Ryan, Cillian O’Dea.

Cappawhite Gaels: Joe Cotter; Darragh Hayes, Cathal Martin, Cillian Fitzgerald; James Barry, Jack Ryan, Jonathan Ryan; Ciaran Gantley (0-1), Eoghan Ryan; Mikey Barry, Morgan O’Connor, Darragh O’Hora (0-5, 0-3f); Sean Hayes (0-2), Conor McCarthy (0-1), Ciaran Downey (0-2). 

Subs used: Oisin O’Neill (0-1), Josh O’Dwyer, Patrick O’Connor.

Referee: Cian Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty)