Cappawhite 3-17 Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 0-14
An impressive nine-point victory has sent Cappawhite back to the semi-finals of the Tipperary Co-Op West Tipperary Junior B Hurling Championship for the third year in succession. Cappawhite were never led in the game and apart from the first 13 minutes were in control of the outcome.
Other than a slight breeze favouring Cappawhite in the first half, the game was played in almost ideal hurling conditions in the fine surrounds of Cappawhite GAA.
The opening exchanges were tough, with both teams trying to get to grips with the game. Cappawhite found their feet first and after five minutes Michael O’Neill registered the first score of the game. This was immediately replied to by Jack Breen, who landed a long-range free for Kickhams.
Eight minutes of stalemate ensued before Tommy Coughlan raced onto a ball and dispatched a shot past Breen for the opening goal of the game and a lead they would never relinquish.
Shane Morrissey was impressive in the opening 20 minutes for Kickhams, hitting two nice points, but scores from Eoghan Ryan and Michael O’Neill kept Cappawhite ticking over.
On 24 minutes, with Cappawhite leading by two, Fraser Allen got a second goal. Peter Comerford and Fionn Brady traded points to finish the half as Cappawhite led 2-5 to 0-6 at the interval.
At the start of the second half Cian O’Carroll raised a white flag straight from the throw-in for Cappawhite, which was cancelled out by a Peter Comerford free. Michael O’Neill and Fionn Brady extended Cappawhite’s lead before Brian Buckley took over the game. Introduced at half-time for Fraser Allen, Buckley registered 1-2 in two minutes to end the game as a contest and Cappawhite led by twelve points eight minutes into the second half.
A couple of Anthony Barry frees and another from the impressive Michael O’Neill extended the lead. Frees from Peter Comerford and Dan Lonergan kept Kickhams motoring but they were always chasing the game. A couple of half-hearted goal attempts were dealt with by Cappa' 'keeper Darragh Barry and Pakie Barry at full-back. Cappawhite rang the changes and a couple of Anthony Barry points rounded out the scoring.
Cappawhite were always in control and were full value for the win. They now meet Solohead for the third year in a row in the knockout stages and will look for a first win in that period. The game takes place in Clonoulty at 7pm on this Thursday, September 12 and the clash of the last two beaten County Junior B finalists will be a tie not to be missed.
Kickhams tried gamely on Sunday but Cappawhite were clear winners. Jack Ryan, Diarmuid Carr, Dan Lonergan and Shane Morrissey tried their best for Kickhams but they were always chasing the game.
Cappawhite had good performers in Pakie Barry, Ross Dunne and Ciaran Ryan(P) at the back, with Michael O’Neill, and excellent second half performances from Fionn Brady and substitute Brian Buckley, all to the fore in attack.
Cappawhite: Darragh Barry, Noel Ryan, Pakie Barry, Ross Dunne, James Quinlan, Ciarán Ryan (P), Michael P Buckley, Neil Clancy, Cian O’Carroll (0-1), Eoghan Ryan (0-1), Michael O’Neill (0-4), Fionn Brady (0-3), Tommy Coughlan (captain, 1-0), Anthony Barry (0-5, 0-4 F) and Fraser Allen (1-0).
Subs used: Paddy Julian, Brian G Buckley (1-2), Ciaran Doody (0-1), Sean Cleary and Donal O’Neill.
Kickhams: Jack Breen (0-1), Walter O’Carroll, Conor O’Mahony, Tom O’Driscoll, Conor Farrell, Jack Ryan (0-1), Brian Furlong, Michael Shanahan, Joe Fitzgerald (0-2), Shane Farrell (0-1), Dan Lonergan (0-2F), Peter Comerford (0-3F), Jack O’Neill, Shane Morrissey (0-3), Zach O’Halloran.
Subs used: Cathal Carr (0-1), Joe O’Dwyer (0-1).
Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly).
