Goals galore for Moycarkey Borris, who edge to Mid Tipperary U21B title in Boherlahan!

Munster Construction Mid Tipperary U21B Football Championship Final

Moycarkey Borris 4-3

Loughmore Castleiney 1-11

By Mark Dunne

The blustery, wintry conditions certainly played a pivotal role in the Mid U21B Football decider on Sunday afternoon last. The cliché of a game of two halves proved true, with the champions Moycarkey Borris pushed all the way to the final whistle by a gallant Loughmore Castleiney side.

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The driving winds, coupled with the driving rain, meant this game was going to be one of attrition and not of flashy scores. Both sides struggled to adapt to the conditions, and it took six minutes before Philip O’Connell registered the opening score.

In a brace of first-half goals, Cathal Clancy raised the first green flag of the day for Moycarkey Borris, Clancy reacting quickest to a short free. Moycarkey got their second moments later, a good attack saw Ryan fouled. Louis Coughlan stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, dispatching it neatly to the back of the net. 

Loughmore Castleiney, playing against the elements, did settle into the encounter, Dan McCahey and a Joey Quinn free, reducing the gap to three at the midway point of the half. Moycarkey’s eye for goal was evident, and Coughlan got his second on 19 minutes to put six between the sides. 

Sean Hayes and Eamon Ryan tagged on two points before Conor Donnelly netted for their fourth goal of the game. Bill Flanagan pointed on the half-time whistle to send his side 12 points to the good at the break, the wind certainly playing its part.

Loughmore Castleiney got a dream start to the second half, Jay Shorley finding the back of the Moycarkey net. Dan McCahey continued his fine first half, kicking the next two points, both from play. 

This was the start Loughmore needed, and it surged through the team. Joey Quinn reduced the deficit to six points in 47 minutes. Loughmore Castleiney continued their good spell of dominance, reducing Moycarkey’s lead and holding them scoreless during that period. McCahey added another before the first two-pointer of the final was scored. 

A monster two-point free from Philip O’Connell saw just three points between the sides with just under five minutes to play. A grandstand finish was on the cards as Moycarkey Borris desperately sought to hold on to their lead, their first-half dominance proving pivotal at this juncture. 

McCahey scored another fine score before Oran Breen reduced the gap to the minimum in the 58th minute. Loughmore Castleiney desperately searched for the equaliser, but it was not to come. They did, however, have a last-minute free to tie proceedings, but this went wide on the far side. Moycarkey Borris held on to claim the Mid U21B Football trophy for 2025.

A game of two halves proved true, with Moycarkey Borris’ opening half flurry of goals proving the deciding factor. Despite the atrocious conditions, credit to both sides for providing a good display of football, and credit to the Boherlahan club too for hosting.

Captain Luke Ryan accepted the trophy from Mid Chairman Martin Bourke, and they now march on to the County Semi Finals in the coming weeks.

Moycarkey Borris: Frankie Butler; Dan Hayes, Sean Hayes (0-1), Luke Ryan; Liam O’Meara, Stephen Walsh, Sean O’Dwyer; Bill Flanagan (0-1), Joe Egan; Sean Maher, Tom Ryan, Cathal Clancy (1-0); Conor Donnelly (1-0), Louis Coughlan (2-0), Eamon Ryan (0-1).

Loughmore Castleiney: Tomas Larkin; Paul Cormack, Jay Shorley (1-0), Thomas Bohan; Dan McCahey (0-5), Paul McCahey, Mikey Ryan; Eoin O’Connell, Bill Ryan; Oran Breen (0-1), Philip O’Connell (0-3, 0-2f), Henry Meade; Colm Gleeson, Joey Quinn (0-2f), Richard Morris. 

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens)

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