Nine-goal thriller ends with crowning of Kilruane MacDonaghs in league final

North Tipperary Junior A League Final

Kilruane MacDonagh 6-16

Silvermines 3-18

A goal-hungry Kilruane MacDonaghs side ended an 11-year wait as they became North Tipperary Junior A Hurling League winners for only the second time with a convincing victory over a game Silvermines side at sunny St Michael’s Park, Toomevara.

The winning post was in full view from a long way out for Kilruane. Leading 2-9 to 1-6 at half-time, they turned the next 20 minutes into a one-sided battle, scoring 4-7 to open up a 16-point lead with eight minutes remaining before Silvermines’ determination and never-say-die attitude saw them hit back with 2-4 before the final whistle.

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Blending the experience of former seniors such as Éanna Hogan and Eoin Hogan with the youthful energy of David O’Sullivan, Paul Molloy and Paddy Ryan, Kilruane were well served throughout. Up front, Tommy O’Meara and a rejuvenated Conor Cleary led the charge, sharing 3-7 of their side’s total.

The game was end-to-end in the opening minutes, with Kilruane taking the lead through Cormac Kennedy after just 45 seconds. Silvermines replied and almost found an early goal, but goalkeeper Kevin Naughnane denied an unmarked Daniel Ryan from close range.

Both sides squandered chances from distance, and the teams were level for the second time at 0-2 apiece after seven minutes. Orrie Quirke edged Silvermines ahead a minute later, but Kilruane responded with two goals in three minutes. Conor Cleary first put Brian O’Meara through for a goal before getting one himself two minutes later to leave David Shanahan beaten for a second time.

Silvermines responded with a Paudie Fogarty point before Tommy O’Meara replied. Fogarty then struck a fine goal after excellent teamwork involving Brian Seymour and Niall Curran to leave it 2-3 to 1-4 after 14 minutes.

Following a welcome water break, points from Conor Cleary either side of a superb Cormac Kennedy effort from the left wing stretched Kilruane’s lead to five. Brian Seymour and Seán Spillane responded for Silvermines, but Kilruane continued to dictate matters and reached the interval 2-9 to 1-6 ahead, with Brian O’Meara’s free their only score from a placed ball. O’Meara contributed 1-3 overall.

Silvermines suffered a major setback when Paudie Fogarty was forced off at half-time with an accidental head injury. Although Daniel McKelvey pointed within 20 seconds of the restart, the next four minutes proved decisive. Kilruane hit 1-3 without reply, with Cian Moyles finding the net after a pinpoint pass from Cormac Kennedy.

Points from Brian Seymour and Orrie Quirke kept Silvermines in touch, but Conor Cleary and Seán Spillane traded scores before Kilruane took complete control. David O’Sullivan’s delivery from halfway deceived David Shanahan and ended up in the net, extending the lead to 11 points. Cleary added another point before Daniel Ryan replied, leaving Kilruane 4-14 to 1-12 ahead at the second water break.

A brief scuffle involving more than 20 players shortly afterwards resulted in a yellow card for each side. When play resumed, Kilruane continued to press home their advantage. Tommy O’Meara scored a fine goal in the 49th minute after collecting a long delivery from Cormac Doheny, while Mark O’Neill added a point before Conor Cleary struck for another goal from a Tommy O’Meara pass.

Kilruane began to empty their bench, but Silvermines continued to battle. In the closing stages, they outscored the champions 2-4 to 0-1, with Daniel McKelvey grabbing two late goals thanks to assists from Niall Curran. However, the comeback came far too late to deny Kilruane MacDonaghs a deserved league title.

Scorers: Kilruane MacDonaghs: Conor Cleary 2-4, Tommy O’Meara 1-3, Brian O’Meara (1-3, 0-1f), Cian Moyles, David O’Sullivan 1-0 each; Cormac Kennedy 0-3; Cathal England, Charlie Kennedy, Mark O’Neill all 0-1 each.

Silvermines: Dan McKelvey (2-4, 0-1 s-cut); Paudie Fogarty 1-1; Ronan Cunneen (0-3, 0-2f, 0-1’65); Bryan Seymour, Sean Spillane, Orrie Quirke all 0-2 each; Adam Steed, Daniel Ryan, Michael Hogan 0-1, David Shanahan 0-1f.

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Kevin Naughnane; Paul Molloy, Eanna Hogan, David O’Sullivan; Paddy Ryan, Cormac Doheny, Eoin Hogan; Cathal England, Cormac Kennedy; Tommy O’Meara, Mark O’Neill, Cian Moyles; Conor Cleary, Brian O’Meara, Charlie Kennedy.

Subs used: Matthew Moyles for Eoin Hogan (44); Eamonn Coonan for Molloy (50); Eoin Carroll for C Moyles; Paudie Williams for Charlie Kennedy; Michael Hennelly for T O’Meara (53); Sean Quinlan for P Ryan; Oisin O’Meara for M O’Neill (54).

Silvermines: David Shanahan; Ben Claffey, Eddie Ryan, Sean Ryan Prendiville; Michael Hogan, Cathal Gleeson, Adam Steed; Orrie Quirke, Brian Seymour; Daniel McKelvey, Padraig Fogarty, Niall Curran; Ronan Cunneen, Sean Spillane, Daniel Ryan.

Subs used: Bill Maher for Fogarty (27, inj); Eoin Seymour for Maher (32-35 blood); Fionn Ryan Mulqueen (6) for Spillane (50).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea)

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