Moneygall/Clonakenny combo into county decider after narrow win over South opposition

FBD Insurance U19B Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Moneygall/Clonakenny 2-17

Moyle Rovers 0-18

By Michael Dundon

A strong second half by the Moneygall/Clonakenny combination helped them see off the challenge of Moyle Rovers in a well-contested FBD Insurance County U19 B Hurling semi-final at Coolmore Morris Park last week.

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Played under lights in ideal conditions, the real difference between the sides was the combo’s two goals from Dylan Sayers in the second half after Moyle Rovers looked well set at half-time, trailing by just two points having played against the fresh breeze.

Rovers relied heavily on John Cronin for scores. He hit 13 from frees and one from play, but a 14-point total with just a single from play fell well short of what Rovers needed to advance. Moneygall/Clonakenny, on the other hand, shot 2-11 from play. With Eoghan Doughan notching six from frees, it was a fair indication of the combo’s greater options when it came to flag-raising.

With the breeze behind them, the Combo made the early running as expected, but Rovers, due largely to Cronin’s accuracy and Conal Morrisson’s efforts, stayed in touch all the way. Fred Perry too was doing a great job sweeping up in defence. Four points ahead approaching the break (0-10 to 0-6), Moneygall/Clonakenny lead was halved by two Cronin frees before the interval.

A two-point advantage did not seem enough to carry the eventual winners through, but they showed their strength in the second half, repelling every Moyle Rovers effort to get on terms. The switch of Dylan Sayers from midfield to attack also paid big dividends. He got their first goal after 40 minutes, finishing smartly to the net after a great run through the Rovers’ defence for a 1-12 to 0-10 lead. He might have had a second a minute later, but Rovers goalkeeper Peter Boland came to their rescue.

A run of four points in five minutes at the start of the last quarter, three from Cronin and one from Aaron McAndrew, had Rovers breathing down the combo’s necks with 10 minutes left (0-14 to 1-13). Sayers came close to goaling again but was once more foiled by Boland.

With two minutes of the hour left, Dylan Sayers struck for Moneygall/Clonakenny’s second goal to stretch their lead to 2-16 to 0-17. Time was now on their side and though John Cronin pointed yet another free for the Clonmel lads, Eoghan Doughan had the last say with a point to give the winners a five-point cushion at the finish.

The merit of Moneygall/Clonakenny’s win was beyond question. Their second-half showing in particular underlined the potential in the team, who will make a bold bid for county honours. They were strong through the middle, with Adam O’Brien, Shay Gleeson, Eoghan Doughan and Tadgh Whyte showing the way, supported ably by Brian Toohey, Cian Ryan, goalkeeper Paddy McCormack and goal-scorer Dylan Sayers.

Moyle Rovers gave a good account of themselves but lacked the firing power of their rivals. John Cronin was a most reliable free-taker, while Conal Morrisson was the big threat in attack. Fred Perry had a great first half at the heart of the defence. Cathal O’Gorman, Aaron McAndrew, Brian Morrisson and Peter Boland also did their bit.

Scorers: Moneygall/Clonakenny: Eoghan Doughan (0-10, 0-6f), Dylan Sayers 2-0, Cian Ryan, Tadhg Whyte 0-2 each), Oisin O’Dwyer, Tim Cleary, Cormac Hoolan all 0-1 each.

Moyle Rovers: John Cronin (0-14, 0-13f), Conall Morrisson 0-3, Aaron McAndrew 0-1.

Moneygall/Clonakenny: Paddy McCormack; Alex Gleeson, Adam Ryan, Joe Stapleton; Brian Toohey, Shay Gleeson, Sean Maher; Cormac Hoolan, Dylan Sayers; Sean Stapleton, Eoghan Doughan, Tim Cleary; Oisin O’Dwyer, Tadgh Whyte, Cian Ryan.

Subs used: Oisin Maxwell for Gleeson (35).

Moyle Rovers team: Peter Boland; Conor O’Gorman, Michael O’Reilly, Mark O’Meara; Louis Carroll, Fred Perry, Harry O’Keeffe; John Cronin, Aaron McAndrew; Conor Egan, Brian Hurley, Cathal O’Gorman; Brian Morrisson, Tadgh Buckley, Conal Morrisson.

Subs used: Cillian Morrissey for Egan (45).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels)

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