Delaney goal proves critical as Toomevara best old rivals Nenagh Éire Óg

Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final 

Toomevara 1-21 

Nenagh Eire Og 0-22

By Liam Hogan

A man-of-the-match performance by Darragh McCarthy helped Toomevara oust holders Nenagh Eire Og after the sides met in an exciting contest played last Sunday. 

The dream three in a row by Nenagh died a death as Toome never allowed them the room or the comfort to play their own game as Toomevara contested every ball as if their life depended on it.

Once again it was Darragh McCarthy to the fore with the Toome marksman unerring from frees and play as he tacked home a dozen including seven from play. He was not alone as the Toome half-forward line had the upper hand on the Nenagh half-backline with a satisfactory 1-16 response including 1-11 from play. 

But it wasn’t just down to the forwards as the Toome defence kept a close eye on events at the other end as the Liam Ryan sextet never gave the holders the chance to repeat the exploits of their first-round win over Lorrha where Jake Morris was supreme back then. 

And while things didn’t work for the Nenagh marksman he was Nenagh’s leading scorer on 0-6 including four points from play but never quite reached the dizzy heights of his display against Lorrha. In fact, Jake had something of an off day with his frees as he missed the target with two from close in distances something he would score with his eyes closed. 

In fairness, the Light Blues had some misfortune when they lost the influential Josh Keller through injury midway through the first half. Once they conceded the goal to Jack Delaney in the eighth minute it was an uphill task but despite their ups and downs, the holders had nine players on the scoresheet one better than the winners.

It’s all about winners and Toome, the North final kingpins are back in the North decider for the first time since 2012 when they lost to Portroe a year after winning their last final when defeating next Sunday’s opponents Kiladangan. 

Games between Toomevara and Nenagh were always tight and exciting affairs and the opening bouts suggested the same as scores were level three times in the opening seven minutes with Barry Heffernan’s 90-metre effort the pick of the scores.

The pattern looked set to continue but a Mark McCarthy run had Nenagh in trouble and out of nothing Jack Delaney was en route to score the game’s only goal. A converted 65 by Jake Morris was the start of a Nenagh fightback as Cian Crowley and Morris added points from play to level after fourteen minutes before Adam Healy gave Nenagh the lead a minute later.

Liam Ryan was on hand to level for Toome in the 17th minute as Toome enjoyed a productive period with Jack Delaney and Darragh McCarthy (free) had Toome two in front by the 20th minute.

Indeed Toome might have been further in front but Dermot McTiernan denied Mark McCarthy from close in. The danger remained but Paddy Murphy’s goal-line save was vital and Nenagh survived. 

At the same time, Nenagh had their chances but the ever-present Michael Heffernan was off target as was Jake Morris with three chances (two frees) each from reliable distances before Michael Heffernan made amends with a good point from 60metres out in the 26th minute.

Both sides traded points in the final minutes of the half with Darragh McCarthy pointing a free from under the stand only to see Filip McIntyre reply from play. Another McCarthy point, this time from play, after an assist by Conor O’Farrell, had Toome in front by two approaching the half-hour. By then the game entered additional time and both Darragh McCarthy and Michael Heffernan swapped frees to see the teams retire and Toomevara leading 1-9 to 0-10. 

Toomevara had introduced Conor O’Meara to the action before half time and the right wing forward scored a valuable point after just 12 seconds. James Mackey replied for Nenagh after Jake Morris set him up before Toomevara went on a three-point run as Darragh McCarthy scored twice, the first from play before Mark McCarthy had his trademark score.

 Cian Crowley doubled his account but Darragh McCarthy replied with a splendid point. Two Jake Morris points from play left the holders three adrift 1-14 to 0-14 after 42 minutes. 

However, the next four minutes produced a blitz of scores with Darragh McCarthy’s pointing from play matched by an equally good point by Jake Morris. Kevin McCarthy doubled his tally before Michael Heffernan landed a free. 

The trend continued as Darragh McCarthy and Sean Phelan took turns at keeping the umpires busy but Nenagh were within three of the leaders after Michael Heffernan scored at the end of a one/two-move with Filip McIntyre.

Another Darragh McCarthy free, after Conor O’Meara was fouled had Toome in front by four. Michael Heffernan’s responded with a point from play on halfway but Conor O’Meara had Toome were four to the good with twelve minutes remaining. 

Sam O’Farrell revived Nenagh’s hopes but Darragh McCarthy had Toome four in front once more with a converted free after the busy Robbie Quirke was fouled. Toome came forward again but Dermot McTiernan was equal to Jack Delaney’s effort in the 53rd minute. Two minutes later Robbie Quirke moved Toome five in front for what was Toome’s last score. 

Excitement levels increased as both sides squandered chances but Sean Phelan picked up his second point in the 59th minute before Michael Heffernan’s latest free had Nenagh in arrears by three as play went deep into added time.

Nenagh made one last attempt to salvage a draw but Rory Brislane saved the day when he denied Sam O’Farrell from close in but the play was called back for a foul on Jake Morris. Another tension-filled moment as everybody knew that Morris must go for goal to level but his free - to the right of goal - was too far out and Morris’s blistering shot went inches over the bar and Toome were safely through to the final against Kiladangan. 

Toomevara: Rory Brislane; Jake Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Seamus O’Farrell; Josh McCarthy, Liam Ryan (0-1), Barry O’Connell; Robbie Quirke (0-1), Conor O’Farrell (0-1); Jack Delaney, Kevin McCarthy (0-3), Darragh McCarthy (0-11, 0-6f); Mark McCarthy (0-1), Colm Canning, Shane Nolan. 

Subs used: Conor O’Meara (0-2) for Shane Nolan (26); Jack Ryan for O’Connell (42); David Nolan for Canning (50); Darren Delaney for C O’Meara (56, inj).

Nenagh Eire Og: Dermot McTiernan; Conor Ryan, Mark Carey, Barry Heffernan (0-1); Mason Cawley, Paddy Murphy, Conor Hennessey; Michael Heffernan (0-6, 0-3f), Sam O’Farrell (0-1); Cian Crowley (0-2), James Mackey (0-2), Josh Keller; Filip McIntyre (0-2), Philip Hickey, Jake Morris (0-5, 0-1f, 0-1 65). 

Subs: Adam Healy (0-1) for Keller (8, inj); Sean Phelan (0-2) for Hickey (36); Jamie Cottrell for Crowley (46). 

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)