Classy Durlas Óg produce incredible second half display to reclaim the County U17A hurling crown

County U17A Hurling Championship Final

Durlas Óg 4-28

Newport 3-11

By Michael Dundon

Back-to-back County Minor Hurling A titles for Durlas Óg were achieved through a powerful second-half display that swept aside the challenge of Newport at Dundrum on Saturday evening in a contest that petered out after a top-quality first half from both sides.

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Newport were bidding for their first county crown at this level against seasoned opponents who had triumphed at All-Ireland Féile level, coming through the grades. That class showed through big time in the second half, in which the winners outscored their opponents by 2-15 to 0-2, a devastating statistic for a Newport side that deserved better.

Nobody envisaged such an outcome at half-time when Durlas Óg led by 2-13 to 3-9 after 30-plus minutes of quality hurling. To some, Newport may have been outsiders, but they were in no way inhibited as they matched their rivals stroke for stroke. 

Ollie Roche’s goal after four minutes settled them (1-2 to 0-1), but Eoin Webb netted for Durlas Óg a minute later as the game ebbed and flowed in exciting fashion.

County minor stars Euan Murray and Kieran Rossiter were very influential for Durlas Óg as they went 1-3 to 1-2 ahead, but in the 10th minute, Newport captain Charlie Tobin bagged their second goal. Once again Durlas Óg recovered and were level 1-11 to 2-8 after 25 minutes. The scores kept coming. 

Charlie Tobin notched his second goal for Newport after 26 minutes, but once more Durlas Óg responded — Darragh Dwyer, Aaron Darmody, and Eoin Webb pointing as they edged clear 2-13 to 3-9 at the break.

It was hectic stuff, hugely entertaining, but those who anticipated more of the same on the turnover were to be greatly disappointed. 

Two minutes into the second half, Eoin Webb netted for Durlas Óg, and by the 44th minute, when Cormac Shanahan got Newport’s first score of the half, the winners had gone 3-18 to 3-10 clear and were firmly on course to retain their title.

Newport were battling valiantly but were being outgunned by a far superior side. Eoin Webb put the game well beyond Newport’s reach with Durlas Óg’s fourth goal after 48 minutes, which gave them a 4-20 to 3-10 lead. 

Newport’s second point of the half did not come until the 52nd minute - Cormac Shanahan again the marksman - but by then both managements were using their subs, and Durlas Óg finished with the last seven points of the game, registered without reply.

Successes through the grades mark this Durlas Óg side out as exceptional, with some very promising young talent emerging. 

Euan Murray delivered a man-of-the-match performance with his fielding, ball distribution, and ability to pick up a score. Eoin Webb’s scoring was of the top drawer with 3-4 from play. Kieran Rossiter’s surging runs from midfield caused untold problems for Newport, even if they didn’t always yield fruit.

They were the leaders in this very fine team, which also boasted huge performances from Ciarán O’Mahoney, Aaron Darmody, Brody Donoghue, and the hard-working David Ayilaram.

Though understandably disappointed at the outcome, Newport have much to be satisfied with in their campaign. A North title is considerable consolation as the excellent work being done at the underage level presages good days ahead for the club. 

Though well beaten, they were not twenty points an inferior team and will surely benefit from this experience. Oisín Kennedy and Charlie Tobin showed lots of promise, as did Cormac Shanahan, Ollie Roche, Stephen O’Brien, and Harry Noone. No doubt more will be heard of these lads in the coming years.

Scorers: Durlas Óg: Eoin Webb (3-10, 0-6f), Aaron Darmody 1-3, Kieran Rossiter 0-6, Darragh Dwyer 0-4, Euan Murray 0-3, Charlie Lawlor, David Ayilaram 0-1 each.

Newport: Ollie Roche (1-3, 0-2f), Charlie Tobin 2-0, Cormac Shanahan 0-4, Colm Ryan 0-2, Darragh Healy, Luke McIntyre 0-1 each.

Durlas Óg: Diarmuid Barrett; James Mockler, Oran Fogarty, Jakub Magalinski; Brody Donoghue, Ciaran O’Mahoney, Andy Rossiter; Kieran Rossiter, Darragh O’Dwyer; David Ayilaram, Euan Murray, Darragh Cornally; Eoin Webb, Aaron Darmody, Charlie Lawlor.

Subs used: Cillian Ryan for Mockler (23); Niall Gleeson for Cornally (55); Bobby O’Dowd for Magalinski (56); Jack Fitzgibbon for Lawlor (56); Cormac Ryan for Fogarty (56).

Newport: Cian Donohue; Ronan Gaffrey, Aaron Lane, Stephen O’Brien; Cathal McNamara, Darragh Healy, Michael Shanahan; Conor McLoughlin, Harry Noone; Oisin Kennedy, Charlie Tobin, Luke McIntyre; Colm Ryan, Cormac Shanahan, Ollie Roche.

Subs used: Sean Carrig for C Ryan (38); Caleb Byrne for McIntyre (55); Harry McKeogh for McLoughlin (56); Daire Nolan for Gaffrey (56).

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla Kickhams)

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