Cappawhite Gaels 2-13 Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 2-8
Cappawhite Gaels are the Ollies Bar New Inn,
West Tipperary Under 21 B hurling champions for the second time, adding to their previous win in 2018, following their five-points victory over Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams at a rain-washed Annacarty on Sunday.
In a game played before a good-sized attendance who braved the elements, the combination side dictated the game from the throw-in, with Darragh O’Hora on song from placed balls, and Conor Martin manning the centre of their defence.
On a heavy pitch, with rain falling from the start, both sides were under pressure to deliver, with very little open play. Scores were at a premium, but the combo' coped better during the opening thirty minutes, as they led at the break by six points, the goal coming after six minutes from Stephen Dee.
Kickhams came more into the game after the restart, despite being reduced to fourteen players following the dismissal of Brian Furlong on a red card after ninety seconds. This decision fired up the Kickham players and mentors, as they felt that a Cappa Gaels player should have been dealt a similar fate during the opening half.
Following this decision, Micheál Gleeson was moved out of goal in a direct swap with Evan Slattery in an effort to boost their attack. They had reduced the deficit to two points with eight minutes of normal time remaining, but a late goal by Cian O’Carroll ensured that the combo' got their hands on the Bill Hayes Cup for the second time.
Cappa Gaels, aided by the wind and rain, were off target from two placed balls early on. Cian O’Connell got the scoreboard moving after two minutes when he picked up a crossfield ball from Seán Hayes. Sixty seconds later Conor Martin doubled their advantage following a run through the middle, while Kickhams were finding it hard to get to the pitch of the game, especially in attack.
The opening goal came after six minutes when Stephen Dee won a ball in the right corner, rounded the defender and fired past Micheál Gleeson. Kickhams eventually got their account moving in the eighth minute, when Evan Slattery converted a placed ball. However, this score failed to lift them as the Gaels fired over the next four points, three from Darragh O’Hora and one from Cian O’Connell.
Evan Slattery doubled his and Kickhams' tally as the game headed towards the final ten minutes before the break. Both sets of forwards failed to make inroads but Darragh O’Hora and Adam Daly traded minors as the game entered the final minutes of the half. Joe O’Dwyer pulled one back for Kickhams in added time, but they still trailed by six points at the short whistle, 1-7 to 0-4.
As in the opening half, Cappa Gaels attacked following the restart and a good move involving Darragh O’Hora, Conor Martin and Stephen Dee ended with the latter being off target. Ninety seconds in, Brian Furlong was red-carded for a high tackle. Kickhams rejigged their formation, with Micheál Gleeson moving into their attack and Evan Slattery going back in goal.
Gleeson converted a placed ball and Evan Burke beat Joe Cotter, when he was first to react to a breaking ball. This reduced the deficit to four points with twenty minutes left. Darragh O’Hora put over his sixth minor before Gleeson added a point from open play after latching onto a crossfield ball from Senan Mackey.
Kickhams were back in the hunt following a Micheál Gleeson goal, with eight minutes of normal time remaining, when his free took a deflection before crossing the goal line. This cut the deficit to two points, but they were unable to make further inroads. A late Cian O’Connell goal, which he kicked over the line following a good save from Evan Slattery, was enough to get the combo' over the line.
Scorers: Cappawhite Gaels: Darragh O’Hora (0-7,5f), Cian O’Carroll (1-2), Stephen Dee (1-2), Conor Martin (0-1), Brian G Buckley (0-1).
Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Micheál Gleeson (1-4, 1-3f), Evan Burke (1-0), Evan Slattery (0-2f), Adam Daly (0-1), Joe O’Dwyer (0-1).
Cappawhite Gaels: Joe Cotter, Jonathan Ryan, Michael English, Eoghan Ryan, Conor Gantley, Conor Martin, Jack Ryan, Darragh O’Hora, Tommy Costello, Cathal Martin, Cian O’Carroll, Sam Carmody (captain), Mikey Barry, Stephen Dee, Seán Hayes.
Subs: James Quinlan for Stephen Dee (temporary 10-16), Conor McCarthy for Seán Hayes (temporary 14-19), James Quinlan for Mikey Barry (HT), Brian G Buckley for Stephen Dee (temporary 33-35), John O’Donnell for Michael English (40), Conor McCarthy for John O’Donnell (53), Brian G Buckley for Seán Hayes (55).
Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams: Micheál Gleeson, Diarmaid Carr, Diarmuid Kinane, Seán Cleary, Tom O’Driscoll, Conor Farrell (Donaskeigh, captain), Brian Furlong, Adam Daly, Senan Mackey, Evan Slattery, Shane Buckley, Aaron Horgan, Philly O’Neill, Joe O’Dwyer, Evan Burke.
Sub: Cathal Heney for Philly O’Neill (43).
Referee: Cian Ryan (Eire Og Annacarty Donohill).
