Knockshegowna win back-to-back Tipperary County Hurling League Division 6 titles

Knockshegowna 3-13 Rosegreen 1-11

Rosegreen’s quest for county league honours came unstuck when they went under to a physically stronger Knockshegowna side in the final at Templetuohy on Friday evening.

This was Knockshegowna’s second title in succession in this Division 6 County Hurling league, a competition exclusively for Junior B clubs.

The final scoreline didn’t do justice to Rosegreen, as they conceded two late goals, having got right back in the game following a Colm Hayde goal with seven minutes remaining.

The opening ten minutes were even enough, with both defences on top, and the scores level at one point each. Paul Kennedy scored from a free for the north side and Dan Hayde from play for Rosegreen.

Knockshegowna lost their full forward to injury after six minutes and his replacement, Michael Egan, had a huge influence on the game.

He opened up the defence for the game’s opening goal on ten minutes, before beating Chris Geraghty, with the ball going in off the post.

Rosegreen hit back with points from Podge Quinlan and two converted frees from Charlie Costello to bring the sides level at the first quarter mark, 1-1 to 0-4.

The more physical Knockshegowna side were finding scores easier to come by and replied with three unanswered points, all from open play. Paul Kennedy converted his second free and they had one each from play from Michael Egan and Eamon Murphy.

Ger Cummins got in for a good score, but Knockshe’ replied with two further points from Adrian and Darren Browne, putting daylight between the sides.

Rosegreen hit back with two converted placed balls, one from Charlie Costello and a long range effort from Colm Hayde.

Michael Egan closed the first half scoring when he put over a close range free, leaving the half-time score Knockshegowna 1-7, Rosegreen 0-7.

The west men needed a good start to the second half, but it was the north lads who started the better, putting over three unanswered points in the opening quarter, the first after two minutes from substitute, Michael Cleary. Michael Egan was unerring from placed balls and his second of the half put six points between the sides.

Charlie Costello broke the rhythm with his fourth point of the evening, but a Michael Egan free restored parity.

Rosegreen gave their supporters hope when coming within two points of the holders, first with a free from Charlie Costello and then a goal from Colm Hayde, when he got on the end of Dan Hayde’s well-struck sideline ball from the halfway line.

The gap was short-lived, however, as Michael Cleary got his second of the evening.

Knockshegowna finished the stronger, with Paul Kennedy getting in for a goal with five minutes remaining and wrapping up the game in injury-time with his second goal of the evening.

Rosegreen never gave up and this league will stand to them as they head into the west championship, having played five competitive games over the past few weeks.

Scorers: Knockshegowna: Michael Egan (1-6, 0-4 frees), Paul Kennedy (2-2, 0-2 frees), Michael Cleary (0-2), Eamon Murphy (0-1), Adrian Browne (0-1), Darren Browne (0-1).

Rosegreen: Colm Hayde (1-2, 0-2 frees), Charlie Costello (0-6, 5 frees), Dan Hayde (0-1), Podge Quinlan (0-1), Ger Cummins (0-1).

Knockshegowna: Richard King, Padraig Brennan, Dan Smith, Jack Bond, Colin Browne, Graham Gohery (captain), Darren Browne, Niall O’Loane, Adrian Browne, Paul Kennedy, Mark O’Meara, Eamon Murphy, Michael O’Brien, Paul Lake, Declan Costello.

Subs: Michael Egan for Paul Lake (injured, 6 mins), Michael Cleary for Declan Costello (HT), Michael Gohery for Eamon Murphy (61 mins), Gearoid Sampson for Padraig Brennan (63 mins).

Rosegreen: Chris Geraghty, Ben Corcoran, James Walsh, Jake Phelan, Ross Bourke, Colm Hayde (joint captain), Tom Dowling, Seanie Ryan, Dan Hayde, Podge Quinlan, Charlie Costello (joint captain), Keith Bergin, Kevin Tobin, Ger Cummins, Tony Kerwick.

Subs: Colin Geraghty for Kevin Tobin (HT), Nick Ryan for Ross Bourke (42 mins), Pa Ryan for Tony Kerwick (44 mins).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne/Templetuohy).