Dramatic finish sees Doherty clinch county hurling title for Moycarkey Borris

County Tipperary U17B Hurling Championship Final

Moycarkey Borris 2-16

Knockavilla Kickhams 1-17

By Mark Dunne 

Two late frees from Conor Doherty proved the difference as Mid champions Moycarkey-Borris claimed the County Minor B Hurling Championship title with a hard-fought two-point win over West champions Knockavilla Kickhams in Golden on Saturday.

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The opening exchanges were understandably tense as both sides settled into the contest. Moycarkey struck first, captain Seán Maher leading by example with the opening score. Knockavilla soon hit back through Senan Mackey, followed quickly by an Evan Slattery free and an Evan Burke point to give the West men an early two-point cushion.

Moycarkey regained the initiative by the 12th minute, with Doherty twice on target alongside a fine score from Evan Ned Commins. Further points were exchanged before the first major of the game arrived. Adam Rice, a constant threat, rifled a powerful shot to the net to put the Mid champions 1-7 to 0-7 ahead with five minutes left in the half. Slattery reduced the gap from a free, but Doherty added two more before the break to leave Moycarkey 1-9 to 0-8 in front at half-time.

Conor Donnelly extended that advantage within seconds of the restart, followed by Seán Sheehan’s first score. Kickhams, however, grew into the half. Mackey’s move to wing forward paid dividends as he won a series of puckouts that turned momentum. Five unanswered points — from Heney, Mackey and a Burke hat-trick — brought them to within one.

Just as the West side looked to be on top, Moycarkey struck again. A well-worked move ended with Rice finishing his second goal to restore daylight, 2-11 to 0-13. Kickhams refused to fold, with Slattery and Stephen Gleeson reducing the margin to two. Both defences came under pressure as the intensity rose entering the final quarter.

The game was level again in the 51st minute when Shayne Butler scrambled home a goal from close range, making it 1-16 to 2-13. The final stages were frantic. Rice saw another goal effort come back off the post before Doherty edged Moycarkey ahead with a 65. Slattery equalised once more, but Doherty stood tall in the closing minutes, landing two decisive frees to push his side two clear.

Kickhams launched one last desperate attack in search of a winning goal, only to be denied by heroic Moycarkey defending before referee Martin Doyle’s final whistle confirmed a memorable victory.

It was a thrilling contest that showcased fine young talent on both sides. For Moycarkey, Doherty, Maher, Seán Lanphier and Rice were outstanding, while Knockavilla could take great pride from their performance, with Mackey, Slattery, Burke and Cathal Heney all to the fore.

Moycarkey Borris: Darragh Patterson; Cillian Alexander, Tomás Leahy, Reuben Power; James Danagher, Seán Lanphier, Harry Shepherd; Seán Maher (0-1), Richie Maher; Conor Doherty (0-10, 0-8f, 0-2 65s), Sean O’Dwyer, Conor Donnelly (0-1); Seán Sheehan (0-1), Adam Rice (2-0), Evan Ned Commins (0-1). 

Subs used: Niall O’Sullivan for Conor Donnelly.

Knockavilla Kickhams: Cian Buckley; Aaron Heney, Cathal Burke, Matthew O’Neill; Shane Ryan, Sean Cleary, Donagh Guilfoyle; Sam Daly, Evan Burke (0-3); Senan Mackey (0-3), Evan Slattery (0-8, 0-5f), Jake Cotter; Kyle Donoghue, Cathal Heney (0-2), Stephen Gleeson (0-1). 

Subs used: Brent Astwood for Sam Daly; Shayne Butler (1-0) for Kyle O’Donoghue; Nathan Staunton. 

Referee: Martin Doyle (Ardfinnan)

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