ROUND UP: Divisional hurling in Tipperary reaching final stages after final four clashes

The Junior A Hurling Championships have been running along side the primary three grades above them in recent weeks, and all four divisions are getting down to the final stage in the coming weeks with semi-final action having taken place across the county.

Mid Junior A Hurling Championship Semi-Finals

Holycross Ballycahill booked their spot in the 2024 decider with a comfortable and commanding display over Moycarkey Borris.

The eventual victors found themselves 1-3 to no score in front after minutes, a dream start. Moycarkey Borris though did real them back in, after a second goal took the lead 2-7 to 1-8. The lead changed hands in the build-up to the break but Holycross found that all-important second goal just before the break to lead 2-12 to 2-7.

A big second half was required for Moycarkey Borris but this failed to materialise as Holycross Ballycahill really kicked into gear with fine performances from Stephen Flanagan, Jamie Woods and Aidan Stakelum.

Holycross Ballycahill’s faithful will be delighted to see Luke O’Mara back from injury and contribute to the scoreboard on his return. For Moycarkey Borris they’ll be disappointed with the manner of the defeat.

Despite a poor start they showed their metal but as the second half progressed they just failed to supply the inside forward line with ball as Holycross ran out winners on a 5-24 to 4-12 scoreline.

They can take positives from the game with young Tom Ryan and Rory O’Regan both having a fine game despite the loss.
Holycross Ballycahill now await the winners of the second semi-final between Thurles Sarsfields and JK Brackens which is down for decision next Friday the 23rd at 7pm in the Outside Field.

North Junior A Hurling Championship Semi-Finals

Toomevara and Kiladangan will renew their rivalry in this year’s Junior A North decider after both enjoyed easy victories in their semi-final ties against Roscrea and Ballinahinch respectively last Friday night.

Toomevara were led well up front by Bob Delaney who bagged 3-5 in the win over Ros’ in Moneygall. Toome started the game strongly, using the aid of the breeze to take a commanding 2-11 to 0-7 lead at half-time.

Roscrea started the second half well and had the game back to six points going into the final ten minutes, but when Delaney completed his hat-trick, it was all over as a contest with Toome coasting home to a 3-15 to 0-15 win.

It was just as easy for Kiladangan in their semi-final win over Ballinahinch in Toomevara, albeit with a decisive second-half surge to run out as victors.

A tight first half saw the sides closely matched; Kildangan leading 0-9 to 0-7 at that stage. But there was less of a contest in the second half as Kiladangan romped home with Eoghan Sharkey’s goal eight minutes from time sealing victory in a 1-24 to 0-12 final score.

The North final has been fixed for Friday, September 6th in Borris-Ileigh at 6.45.

West Junior A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Lattin Cullen booked their place in the West decider alongside Galtee Rovers after their dismissal of Cashel King Cormacs in the semi-final last week.

Cathal Dillon was the star of the show for them, hitting 0-10 on the day with Darragh O’Brien also contributing well along with Mark Russell, Laurence Coskeran, Tomas O’Shea, and Raymond Hennessy in the 0-26 to 0-10 point win.

Galtee Rovers have been awaiting their opponents anxiously having qualified directly for the final some time ago, and they now know their fate as they will face Lattin Cullen in the decider on Sunday next at 6.30pm.

The venue is yet to be decided and can be found on the Tipp GAA website.

South Junior A Hurling Championship Semi-Finals

Four teams will be vying for a divisional title in the South division in the next few weeks, with the semi-finals taking place this coming weekend.

On Saturday, St. Patricks take on Carrick Swans in the first semi-final in Kilsheelan, with the game set to throw in at 4pm; Swan big underdogs for the game and the only second team still in contention at this stage of the competition.

Secondly, on Sunday, the other semi-final will see Moyle Rovers and Clonmel Óg face off - once again in Kilsheelan - to see who will move one step closer to a much desired divisional crown.

Clonmel Óg are the form team going into this stage having topped their group with ease, recording four wins from four, but they will face a stiff test from Moyle Rovers who walloped Ballylooby Castlegrace in the quarter-finals recently.