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North Tipperary U13B Hurling Championship Final Silvermines 6-7 Kiladangan 3-9 Four first-half goals in a blistering ten-minute spell midway through the half was the catalysts that helped Silvermines to victory over Kiladangan in a goal-scoring fest at sun-splashed Templederry last Sunday at noon. The four turned into six by hour's end with winning captain Fionn Shaughnessy helping himself to three as his team were that bit better. While the number of goals was high both goalkeepers, Craig Kennedy (Silvermines) and Oisin O’Mahoney could walk away with their heads held high as both keepers made some fantastic saves with Craig Kennedy doing best. This was the fourth final of the weekend and as in the three the previous day both teams marched behind lone piper Ger Neville with the swelling crowd showing their appreciation. After Jack Ryan opened the scoring for Kiladangan his namesake James had Mines opening goal in the seventh minute. Seconds later Tom Byrne had Kiladangan back in front when he found the net. The goals were coming fast and furious as Fionn O’Shaughnessy’s first goal had Silvermines two in front after eleven minutes with and Mines third goal came in the 14th minute when Ben Platt’s forty metre free went all the way to the top corner of the net to give Mines a 3-2 to 1-1 lead. Mines were like a dog with a bone and a minute later Aidan Steed had their fourth goal and by half time it was Mines 4-3 Kiladangan 1-3 The second half began with James O’Dwyer scoring from play for Kiladangan. Ben Platt replied with his third placed ball (second from a free) before his side had goal number five with Fionn O’Shaughnessy raising his second green flag. Trailing by four goals, one would have felt that Kiladangan’s day was done but they commenced a comeback with James O’Dwyer scoring. Two Aidan Steel frees kept Mines out of reach momentarily but Kiladangan began to steal a march in a twinkle they scored 1-4 on the run with Josh O’Shea scoring 1-1 inside a minute before Donagh Carmody added
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North Tipperary U13C Hurling Championship Final Templederry Kenyons 3-12 Ballinahinch 3-10 Two five-minute periods of extra time were required to separate the teams and it was Templederry who got to the finishing line first in a cracking contest made of great scores and great saves by the respective goalkeepers with Tadgh Murphy so good at one end for Templederry and Seamus Bridgeman at the other and each trying to outdo one another. The first half was a game of two quarters with Templederry’s Daithi Kennedy crowning a dominating period when scoring a great goal to give his side a 1-4 to 0-1 lead after fourteen. But Ballinahinch came good approaching half time they scored four unanswered points. Scores stood at 1-7 each, eight minutes in when a long-range free by Liam Crosse deceived the Templederry defence and finished up in the back of the net. Templederry went two points but Ballinahinch had it back to one when Conal Bourke scored a great goal to put Ballinahinch 2-8 to 1-9 in front with five minutes remaining. Their supporters wondered if they had done enough but Templederry fought back and two Daithi Kennedy frees made it 2-8 to 1-11 and two five minute periods of extra time were required to decide the contest. When play resumed Ballinahinch took the lead through Aaron McGrath with a free. They continued to hold the one point lead until approaching the break a goal by Odhran O’Kelly had Templederry in front. Barely forty seconds later the lead changed hands again when Luke Ryan scored Ballinahinch’s third goal and Ballinahinch were 3-9 to 1-11 in front at the changeover. Nobody could take their eyes off the ball because two minutes into the final period Templederry were back in front when young Odhran O’Kelly had his second goal. A free by Liam Crosse left the minimum between the teams but Benjy Browne’s point from play left Templederry two clear for the win. Templederry Kenyons: Tadgh Murphy; Scott Powell, Jack McLoughney; Sean O’Kelly, Joe Fahy; Donnacha Browne (0-2), Jack Gilmartin;
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North Tipperary U13D Hurling Championship Final Kilruane 2-6 Toomevara 0-2 Kilruane MacDonaghs retained their North Under 13 D title when they defeated Toomevara in the first final played last Saturday at Dolla. Kilruane were the better team by far and indeed their winning margin could have been much greater but for some excellent goalkeeping by Liam O’Meara in the Toomevara goal. Shane Carroll had him beaten in the tenth minute and three minutes later Ray McLoughney’s dropping shot deceived O’Meara for goal number which helped Kilruane to a 2-3 to 0-2 half-time lead. Theo Dunne was one of Toome’s best players and he scored Toome’s two points while Kilruane had Ciaran Foote scored 0-5 including two in the second half as Kilruane ran out easy winners. Kilruane MacDonaghs: Mark Gaynor; Odhran Goulding, Robert Cleary; Colin Gaynor, Sean Whelan, Liam Dollery; Issac Hussey Sheahan, Shane Carroll (1-0); Rory McLoughney (1-1), Jack Ryan, Harry Gannon; Ciaran Foote (0-5, 0-1f, 0-1’65), Riain Harte. Subs used: Liam Killackey for Gannon; Aidan Fahey for Harte; Daniel O’Brien for McLoughney; Ben Shiels for Ryan; Luke Flannery for Dollery. Toomevara: Liam O’Meara; James Mounsey, Charlie Hackett; Dara Wyles, Tadgh Ryan, Ryan Kennedy; Theo Dunne (0-2f), Conor White; Thomas Tierney, William O’Dwyer, George Conway; Neil Ryan, Shane Kennedy Fitzpatrick. Subs used: George Conway for Kennedy Fitzpatrick; Jack White for Conway. Referee: Sean O’Maolain (Ballina)