Supersub Tom Reilly secures first Tipperary hurling league crown for Thurles Gaels
The Gaels time their winning run to perfection
Thurles Gaels 1-18 Knockshegowna 1-15
Scoring 1-1 inside sixty seconds, Thurles Gaels won their first FBD Insurance County Tipperary Hurling League Division 6 crown when they defeated Knockshegowna in the decider at Toomevara.
The goal by substitute Tom Reilly, with his first touch, came in the 57th minute with team captain and man of the match, Anthony Cooney adding a point sixty seconds later.
Knockshe’ tried to salvage an equalising goal but the Thurles defence stood firm and brought back the silverware, just nine months after winning the Mid Tipp Junior B hurling final.
This was an exciting contest that produced some nice passages of play, as well as some fine long striking. The scores were level ten times, with never more than three points between the teams, and Knockshe’ held the lead three times in the first twenty minutes.
The north team, who were hoping to repeat the success of two years ago, led 0-4 to 0-1 after nine minutes with scores coming from goalkeeper Richard King (from a 100 metre free) and Diarmuid Brennan, plus back- to-back points by midfielder Paul Kennedy.
Knockshe’ looked the better side at that stage with the half backline of Colin Browne, Graham Gohery and especially Eamon Browne clearing any danger that arose. However, bit by bit, Thurles Gaels began to find their rhythm, with Anthony Cooney scoring two long range scores before Jack Bryan brought parity at 0-4 each after fifteen minutes.
One minute later, Knockshegowna wing forward Anthony Whelan had a shot well saved by Thurles ‘keeper Michael Bryan before substitute Eamon Murphy found the back of the net as he lost his balance. Murphy had just replaced the injured Michael Cleary, whose absence was felt by Knockshe’.
As play swung from end to end, the improving Dylan Cotter scored for the Gaels. Michael Egan forced goalkeeper Michael Bryan to make another good save before Diarmuid Brennan restored Knockshe’s three-point lead.
Loran O’Toole’s long range score left two between the teams but an Egan free had it 1-6 to 0-6 after 19 minutes.
However, the next four minutes saw Thurles Gaels really come into their stride with three unanswered points arriving in as many minutes.
The first two came from Alan Ryan (65) and from play before David Fogarty scored from a difficult angle.
In the 25th minute Michael Egan restored Knockshe’s lead with a ‘65. Fogarty levelled for The Gaels before Diarmuid Brennan edged Knockshe in front, 1-8 to 0-10, leaving Alan Ryan (two frees) and a similar effort from Michael Egan to settle matters coming up to half-time, when the score was Thurles Gaels 0-12 Knockshegowna 1-9.
The opening ten minutes of the second half saw the sides level three times, with Thurles Gaels taking the lead each time through Alan Ryan (free), Jack Bryan and the excellent Anthony Cooney from midfield, while the equally impressive Diarmuid Brennan, plus two Egan frees, kept Knockshe’ in touch each time.
The point-for-point structure continued and in the 46th minute Knockshegowna regained the lead for the first time since play approached half-time, with Egan scoring his sixth and final point from placed balls before Cian Bourke levelled two minutes later.
Diarmuid Brennan gave Knockshe’ the lead with his fourth point after fifty minutes but the scores were level a minute later after Alan Ryan scored his seventh point, and third from play, to make it 0-17 to 1-14.
Any score was precious and seven minutes from time Anthony Whelan scored a great point from out close to the sideline.
Could Thurles Gaels strike back? They did and it was with a goal by Tom Reilly after support by Alan Ryan.
It was a timely goal, and when Conor Cooney’s point came seconds later there was no way back for Knockshe'.
Scorers: Thurles Gaels: A Ryan 0-7 (0-3f, 0-1’65); A Cooney 0-4; T Reilly 1-0; D Fogarty and J Bryan 0-2 each; D Cotter, C Bourke and L O’Toole 0-1 each.
Knockshegowna: M Egan 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1’65); D Brennan 0-4; E Murphy 1-0; P Kennedy 0-2; R King (free), A Stanley, A Whelan 0-1 each.
Thurles Gaels: Michael Bryan; Jordan Fahey, Paudie Fitzpatrick, Jamie Ferncombe; Curtis Ryan, Loarn O’Toole, Jamie Barry; Dylan Cotter, Anthony Cooney, captain; Sam Cotter, David Fogarty, Jack Bryan; Cian Bourke, Alan Ryan, Darren Fahey.
Subs: Sean Sheedy for Sam Cooney (40); Tom Reilly for Fahey (52).
Knockshegowna: Richard King; Matthew Costello, Dan Smith, Michael Gohery; Colin Browne, Graham Gohery, Darren Browne; Adam Stanley, Paul Kennedy; Michael Cleary, Paul Lake, Anthony Whelan; Aaron King, Michael Egan Diarmuid Brennan.
Subs: Eamon Murphy for Cleary (13); Neil O’Lone for Lake (temporary 27-31); Neil O’Lone for Aaron King (47).
Referee: PJ Nolan, Killea.