Late penalty miss from Nenagh sees Roscrea hold out for Junior Hurling League title

North Tipperary Junior A Hurling League Final

Roscrea 1-23

Nenagh Éire Óg 2-19

There were plenty of thrills and spills and a welter of excitement in the dying minutes as Roscrea survived a last-minute scare to claim a dramatic one-point Junior A League Final win over Nenagh Eire Og following a very exciting contest played in Gardiner Park, Borrisokane last Friday evening.

In a repeat of the 2021 league final, Roscrea appeared to be about to collect their fifth title when Roscrea full forward Conor Dooley fired over what looked like the winner in the 62nd minute as his team had produced a great recovery after trailing by eight points with twenty minutes remaining.

The introduction of the experienced Darren O’Connor at half-back was an inspired move by Roscrea but as the game moved deep into added time, referee Tom McGlinchey allowed another ninety seconds and Nenagh produced one more attack which yielded a penalty.

The penalty was the ideal opportunity to level matters and force two ten-minute periods of extra time but Nenagh goalkeeper Mark Tuite bravely went for power unfortunately, his effort went inches wide and Roscrea survived with their supporters rejoicing to the sound of the final which came twenty seconds later.

Real disappointment for Nenagh who had hoped to win their first Junior League title in ten years but a remarkable win for Roscrea who have three wins to their name in the last six years after victories in 2018, 2021 and ’23.

Nenagh enjoyed a positive opening twenty minutes thanks to a perfect start with Ben West’s opening point quickly followed by a goal from full forward Anthony Walsh to make it 1-1 to nil.

Liam Seacy opened Roscrea’s account with his first of thirteen points from an unerring display of free taking.
However, Nenagh continued to dominate as Anthony Walsh’s two points from play quickly assisted by another Ben West score saw them six in front after twelve minutes 1-4 to 0-1.

If Ben West was on song, so too was his midfield partner Tauri Shayanewako as the duo had scored six points in the first half (West scoring 0-4 including a sixty-five) with Darragh Walsh and Jamie Cottrell also scoring while Roscrea had five replies from play through Conor Phelan, Conor Donovan, Dylan Hogan, Sam Conlon Jason Gilmartin to put Nenagh 1-11 to 0-7 in front with three minutes to half time.

The game seemed to be slipping from Roscrea’s grip but Sam Conlon should have done better with a goal at his mercy in the 28th minute but Mark Tuite at the expense of a sixty-five which Liam Seacy converted before adding two late frees to see his tally increase to five (0-2’65) and his team trail 1-11 to 0-10 at half time.

There were four points scored in the opening two minutes of the second half both sides scoring two apiece. An Anthony Walsh free increased Nenagh’s lead to five in the 35th minute and they were really in the driving seat when a well-taken Aodhan O’Connor goal made it 2-14 to 0-12 with twenty-three minutes remaining.

Scores were coming frequently at both ends and after Anthony Walsh’s tally reached 1-5 the light blues led 2-16 to 0-14 by 41st minute. Roscrea were in trouble and after introducing two substitutions at half time they raised the bar when the experienced Darren O’Connor to the fray and the Roscrea centre-back was about to make use of his vast experience secured from playing senior hurling over the last decade.

His presence was invaluable and over the next eight minutes, they scored 1-6 without reply with Seacy on target with four frees quickly assisted by a point each from Conor Phelan, out on the wing, and Jason Gilmartin before Sam Conlon steered home to the net and give Roscrea the lead for the first time, 1-20 to 2-16 after fifty minutes.

However, Nenagh’s best forward Aodhan O’Connor levelled matters 2-17 to 1-20 two minutes later but Roscrea were on the ascendency as Conor Donovan edged in front before Liam Seacy had them two in front two minutes later.

Yet, Nenagh had much left in the tank and they narrowed the gap to one through Cian Connolly from eighty metres and in search of an equaliser Ben West levelled on the hour.

Ninety seconds later Conor Dooley scored and Roscrea looked good until the drama of the penalty arrived but a brave Mark Tuite went for power only to see his whizz wide of the post. Roscrea had survived.

Scorers: Roscrea: L Seacy 0-13 (0-11f, 0-2’65); S Conlon 1-1; J Gilmartin 0-3; C O’Donovan and C Phelan 0-2 each; D Hogan and C Dooley 0-1 each.

Nenagh Éire Óg: A Walsh 1-5 (0-2f); B West 0-6 (0-2f); A O’Connor 1-1; T Shayanewako 0-4; J Cottrell, D Walsh and C Connolly 0-1 each.

Roscrea: Enda Moloney; Lee Doran, Conor Bergin, Brian O’Rourke; Lee Cashin, Conor Phelan, Conor Shanahan; James Synott, Owen Tynan; Conor Donovan, Sam Conlon, Liam Seacy; Dylan Hogan, Conor Dooley, Jason Gilmartin.

Subs used: Graham Hogan for O’Rourke (HT); Diarmuid McLoughlin for Hogan (HT); Darren O’Connor for Cashin (46).

Nenagh Éire Óg: Mark Tuite; Mark O’Farrell, Brian Tuite, Billy Moran; Cian Connolly, Niall Madden, Conor Bonar; Tauri Shayanewako, Ben West; Jamie Cottrell, Cian Crowley, Sean Phelan; Aodhan O’Connor, Anthony Walsh, Darragh Walsh.

Subs used: Stevie Hallinan for Crowley (46); Dan O’Donovan for Cottrell (53).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport)