Deserved victory for Killenaule in South Tipperary Under 21 B Hurling Championship final

Killenaule 3-11 Moyle Rovers 1-12

Fourteen-man Killenaule retained their South Tipperary Under 21 B hurling crown, and will lock horns with neighbours Gortnahoe/Glengoole in the county semi-final next Saturday, having come through an entertaining tussle against a determined Moyle Rovers in the divisional final at Fethard Town Park on Sunday.

Fresh from victory in the county Under 21 B football final, Rovers were hopeful of at least a divisional double, but they ran into a Killenaule team who got goals at the right time and were the more evenly balanced team over the hour.

Killenaule opened the scoring inside two minutes courtesy of the powerful-running Johnny Gleeson. Luke Ryan put a free over the bar two minutes later before Moyle Rovers’ Daire Luttrell repeated the feat at the other end, having been fouled himself. Luttrell, the main scoring threat for Rovers all afternoon, pointed again from a free on eight minutes, in response to an Oisin Shelly point following another incisive run.

Luke Ryan, unerring once more, edged Killenaule in front by two points as the half wore on, but a speculative effort from the stand side by Killian Butler and a classy point from Moyle Rovers’ skipper Dean English restored parity.

Artificial surfaces may well have their detractors among hurling purists, but a consistent and exciting feature is their suitability for the dying art of ground hurling. Some swift pulling and clashes of the ash brought cheers from both sets of supporters, and when Killenaule’s Dylan O’Dwyer raced through on goal, his spadework was rewarded with Nathan Barrett’s deft ground stroke to the back of the net.

O’Dwyer’s assault on goal involved him escaping the shackles of brilliant corner back Ronan Walsh, who had a fine game overall. The contest between O’Dwyer and Walsh was the duel of the day, as they fought tooth and nail throughout.

The ever-dependable Daire Luttrell kept Rovers in touch with another free, which was added to superbly by Dean English, who fired over his second point. The quality of Killenaule’s supply was improving all the time, and a huge Padraig O’Dwyer delivery caused confusion between goalkeeper and defence, allowing an opportunistic Charlie Cummins to pounce for The Robins’ second green flag.

Oisin Shelly made the goal an even more important score by adding a point to stretch Killenaule’s lead. Killian Butler then landed his third point of the half from considerable distance to end the first half on a scoreline of Killenaule 2-5 Moyle Rovers 0-7.

A clash of players as they broke for the interval seemed innocuous at first glance, but resulted in Killenaule midfielder Finn Nolan’s dismissal on the resumption. The half time retreat was not enough to maintain Killenaule’s full complement and referee Martin Doyle brandished the red card before commencing the second period.

It was a blow to Killenaule but they now had the breeze at their backs. And although Daire Luttrell opened the second period’s scoring, it was Killenaule who took charge of affairs. A Luke Ryan point from play and a converted free either side of a brilliant Charlie Cummins point saw the gap extend to seven. Johnny Gleeson and Daire Luttrell exchanged points once more, as the scores were coming more frequently.

Another Daire Luttrell free had it back to six, and when Dean English was hauled down as he bore down on goal, Luttrell elected to shoot for goal from the 20 metre free. Killenaule, with five players on the goal line repelled the effort, and perhaps a point would have been a better option for Moyle Rovers with fifteen minutes still to play.

Rovers utilised their numerical advantage well, as they sought to leave talisman Daire Luttrell free where possible. Luttrell was even more prominent now as Rovers went in search of a goal. It came with six minutes to go, when Moyle Rovers swamped the Killenaule defence and the ball flew in and out in a ping pong style until Dean English batted past David McCormack to put a mere three points between the sides.

Rovers may have been hoping the extra man would tell and that Killenaule would eventually tire coming down the home straight. However, Killenaule were given a great energy boost by captain Jack Hassett who, taking off downfield on one of his trademark runs, sent the ball high into the afternoon sky and between goalie Peter Boland’s uprights.

Daire Luttrell had a point with time running out to put two between them, and substitute Ben O’Donovan went close with a goal-bound effort as Moyle Rovers kept up the pressure.

Then, any lingering doubts among the Killenaule faithful were well and truly erased as there was still time for one final act. Dylan O’Dwyer collected a great ball from Luke Ryan, and took off on a blistering run before smacking home a low rocket of a shot to the back of the Rovers net.

The goal put paid to any further comeback and ensured captain Jack Hassett would lift the trophy.

Killenaule were justifiable winners in the end. They had solid displays from Daire O’Connell, Padraig O’Dwyer, Dylan O’Dwyer and the sweet-striking Luke Ryan.

Moyle Rovers gave it their all and their great effort was helped in no small way by the performances of Dean English, Daire Luttrell and Killian Butler.

Killenaule: David McCormack, Daire O’Connell, Jack Hassett (0-1), Jack Healy, Cian Johnson Croke, Padraig O’Dwyer, Felix Quinn, Finn Nolan, Nathan Barrett (1-0), Charlie Cummins (1-1), Luke Ryan (0-5, 3 frees), Oisin Shelly (0-2), Johnny Gleeson (0-2), Matthew Gleeson, Dylan O’Dwyer (1-0).

Subs: Luke Fitzgerald for Matthew Gleeson, Jimmy Ryan for Cian Johnson Croke.

Moyle Rovers: Peter Boland, Ronan Walsh, Joseph Cummins, Liam McGrath, JP Phelan, Shane Ryan, Rian McCormack, Killian Butler (0-3), Michael O’Reilly, Daragh Walsh, Dean English (captain 1-1), Cathal Cullinan, Jake Forristal, Daire Luttrell (0-7, 5 frees), Rory Cummins.

Subs: Conor O’Gorman for JP Phelan, Ben O’Donovan for Daragh Walsh.

Referee: Martin Doyle (Ardfinnan).