REPORTS: Kilruane win the U13 North hurling double for a second consecutive year

North Tipperary U13C Hurling Championship Final

Templederry Kenyons 3-12

Ballinahinch 3-10

Two five-minute periods of extra time were required to separate the teams and it was Templederry who got to the finishing line first in a cracking contest made of great scores and great saves by the respective goalkeepers with Tadgh Murphy so good at one end for Templederry and Seamus Bridgeman at the other and each trying to outdo one another.

The first half was a game of two quarters with Templederry’s Daithi Kennedy crowning a dominating period when scoring a great goal to give his side a 1-4 to 0-1 lead after fourteen. But Ballinahinch came good approaching half time they scored four unanswered points.

Scores stood at 1-7 each, eight minutes in when a long-range free by Liam Crosse deceived the Templederry defence and finished up in the back of the net. Templederry went two points but Ballinahinch had it back to one when Conal Bourke scored a great goal to put Ballinahinch 2-8 to 1-9 in front with five minutes remaining. Their supporters wondered if they had done enough but Templederry fought back and two Daithi Kennedy frees made it 2-8 to 1-11 and two five minute periods of extra time were required to decide the contest.

When play resumed Ballinahinch took the lead through Aaron McGrath with a free. They continued to hold the one point lead until approaching the break a goal by Odhran O’Kelly had Templederry in front. Barely forty seconds later the lead changed hands again when Luke Ryan scored Ballinahinch’s third goal and Ballinahinch were 3-9 to 1-11 in front at the changeover.

Nobody could take their eyes off the ball because two minutes into the final period Templederry were back in front when young Odhran O’Kelly had his second goal. A free by Liam Crosse left the minimum between the teams but Benjy Browne’s point from play left Templederry two clear for the win.

Templederry Kenyons: Tadgh Murphy; Scott Powell, Jack McLoughney; Sean O’Kelly, Joe Fahy; Donnacha Browne (0-2), Jack Gilmartin; Benjamin Browne (0-3), Daithi Kennedy (1-5, 0-1f); Donnacha Madden, Sean Ryan (0-2).

Subs used: Odhran O’Kelly (2-0) for Madden.

Ballinahinch: Seamus Bridgeman; Eoin Ryan, Michael Finn; Ben Healy, Liam Crosse (1-2f); Oran Kelly (0-2), Ruairi O’Regan; Diarmuid Lynch (0-1), Cody Sheedy (0-2); James Ryan, Aaron McGrath (0-3, 0-1f).

Subs used: Conal Bourke (1-0) for O’Regan; Luke Ryan (1-0) for J Ryan.

Referee: Christy McLoughlin (Nenagh)