REPORTS: Holycross hosts four County U13 hurling finals in a fantastic day of underage action

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Coiste na nÓg U13A Hurling Championship Final 

Newport 2-6 

Moycarkey Borris 1-5

Reports by Liam Hogan 

Two first-half goals inside six minutes proved decisive as Newport captured their first-ever Coiste na nÓg County U13 hurling when they defeated a game Moycarkey Borris side in a close-marking game played at a showery Holycross last Saturday afternoon.

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Jim O’Mahoney scored the first goal in the sixth minute when his effort for a point from outfield drifted under the crossbar with Moycarkey goalkeeper Ronan Doherty deceived by the flight of the ball.  The goal put Newport in front 1-2 to nil and it was just reward for the Purple and Gold outfit as they had dominated possession up to then. 

Tommy Rice’s free was Moycarkey’s opening score in the eight minute but Newport struck gold again when Tadgh Malone’s long range free was expertly deflected to the net by Hughie Duggan from outside the small square. 

By half-time, Newport led 2-4 to 0-2 with O’Mahoney (two points) the excellent Sean Coffey and Cathal Grimes adding the points. Tommy Rice had the two Moycarkey scores from frees.

Both defences had the upperhand for the opening minutes of the second half until Tommy Rice pointed his third free in the eight minute. Seven minutes later Eoin Darmody cut the deficit to six points and as Moycarkey were gaining confidence, they had the deficit down to three when Rohan Ryan goaled in the 16th minute. 

Suddenly the game opened up and excitement levels began to rise as Moycarkey tried everything to cut the deficit. However, the Newport defence stood firm and they had the ideal man in Hughie Duggan who pointed two late frees to seal the well received victory.  

Newport: Luke Healy; Will Brassill, Cathal O’Meara; Olly Moloney, Tadgh Malone, Ethan Daly; Robert Long, Rona Toohey; Sean Coffey (0-1), Jim O’Mahoney (1-2, 0-1f), Cathal Grimes (0-1); Darragh Harrington, Hughie Duggan (1-2, 0-2f). 

Subs used: Darragh Hogan; Michael Óg Coffey.

Moycarkey Borris: Ronan Doherty; Danny Leamy, Brian Maher; Dylan Delahunty, Aidan Russell, Tadgh Nolan; Alex Keogh, Eoin Darmody; Mikey Russell, Rohan Ryan (1-0), Harry Hogan; Shane Walsh, Tommy Rice (0-4f). 

Subs used: Sean O’Brien; Odhran Hogan. 

Referee: Aidan Butler (Knockavilla Kickhams)