Moneygall U16s produce stunning late comeback to end 30-year wait

North Tipperary Under 16 B Hurling Final

Moneygall 1-12

Kiladangan 0-15

Moneygall Under 16 hurlers captured their fourth North Under 16 B Hurling title and first since 1996 when they snatched the silverware from the grasp of a hard-working Kiladangan side in the dying minutes at Kenyon Park, Templederry, last Saturday late afternoon.

In an exciting game, Kiladangan were looking very much the winners as they led by four with two minutes remaining.

However, Conor Keeshan, a constant threat to the Kiladangan defence, bore down on goal before he was hauled down outside the twenty-metre line. Jack Kennedy, captain of the Moneygall team, decided to blast for goal and he did it with power.

Suddenly, Moneygall had momentum. Mark Coonan was fouled as Kennedy levelled the game for the fourth time in the hour. The hour had passed and they came forward once again, with Keeshan grabbing the winner with ninety seconds of injury time on the clock. Thirty seconds later, the game was over, much to the sheer delight of the Moneygall followers.

The underdogs had won. The evidence showed that Kiladangan were deservedly favourites following the major win over Borris-Ileigh in the semi-final, while Moneygall got over Lorrha with little to spare.

But Moneygall’s never-say-die attitude carried value and a defence that stood to their task, as Oran Hoolan, Michael Maher, Gavin O’Brien and Sean Maher had to work very hard to limit a Kiladangan front six that had much going for them in terms of talent.

Cathal Toohey played very well in goal. At the other end, Jack Kennedy, Mark Coonan, Harry Jones and Conor Keeshan had plenty to offer up front. Keeshan was man of the match.

Kiladangan will be disappointed. They had plenty of chances, particularly from frees, to have the game wrapped up. It’s fair to say that the tricky wind was no friend of the free-taker.

Sole winners in 2005, their bid for a second title will have to wait another year, but Josh O’Shea, Dan Boland, Dan Connolly, Tadgh O’Brien, Matthew Ryan, Donagh Carmody, Tom Byrne, Liam White and James O’Dwyer need take no blame for this defeat.

Kiladangan had use of that strong diagonal breeze in the first half, but Moneygall scored first through Conor Keeshan before the Blue and Golders opened a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the ninth minute after James O’Dwyer (two frees) and Donagh Carmody were on the scoresheet.

However, Moneygall soon recovered and by the 12th minute they had drawn level, with Keeshan and Thomas Shanahan on target. Keeshan’s next score was a brilliant effort from the wing.

A quick response by Kiladangan saw Oisin O’Mahony level before another exchange of scores through Keeshan (free) and Liam White from play had matters level for the fourth time at 0-5 each after twenty minutes.

From there, Moneygall went two in front as Jack Kennedy took on the mantle and scored back-to-back points, the second from play in the 25th minute.

Kiladangan had a chance or two but failed to score until Donagh Carmody fired over a sixty-five, which came about when Moneygall keeper Cathal Toohey was bravely off his line to deny Liam White from close in. At half-time, it was Moneygall 0-7 Kiladangan 0-6.

Donagh Carmody was quickly into the action on the restart when he levelled matters after ten seconds. Conor Keeshan responded with a blasting shot for goal that was deflected out for a sixty-five, which Jack Kennedy converted.

The game was beginning to open up and Kiladangan hit a purple patch as they scored five unanswered points in ten minutes through Tom Byrne (two), plus one each from play by Liam White and James O’Dwyer before O’Dwyer added a free.

With a four-point lead and playing with some confidence, Kiladangan were finally looking the part of winners.

Moneygall needed respite and Conor Keeshan obliged with a free in the 49th minute, but Kiladangan were ruling the day and points by James O’Dwyer and Tom Byrne appeared to have consolidated their advantage two minutes from time.

However, there was one more twist to the game and Jack Kennedy’s blasted free was low and it turned the game. Moneygall now had momentum and they added two points in added time to win the day as they bridged a thirty-year gap.

Moneygall: Cathal Toohey; Emmett Bourke, Oran Hoolan, Noah Treacy; Michael Maher, Gavin O’Brien, Sean Maher; Hugh Smyth, Conor Nolan; Jack Kennedy (1-6, 1-4f, 0-1 65), Aidan O’Meara, Mark Coonan; Thomas Shanahan (0-1), Harry Jones, Conor Keeshan (0-5).

Subs used: Eoin Keeshan for Shanahan (46); Donnacha Franks for O’Brien (56, inj).

Kiladangan: Josh O’Shea; Conor Girard, Dan Boland, Mikey Ryan; Dan Connolly, Tadgh O’Brien, Jack Ryan; Matthew Ryan, Donagh Carmody (0-3, 0-1 65); Oisin O’Mahony (0-1), Tom Byrne (0-3), Michael Cullinane; Liam White (0-2), James O’Dwyer (0-5, 0-3f), Darragh Molloy.

Subs used: Ben Whelan for Cullinane (35); Stephen Byrne for O’Mahony (56).

Referee: Shane Lee (Roscrea)