Kiladangan outlast Toome in epic extra time North Junior A Hurling decider

Watch Centre North Tipperary Junior A Hurling Championship Final

Kiladangan 3-23   

Toomevara 2-22 (AET)

By James Hayden

A superb Kiladangan side captured only their third-ever North Tipperary Junior ‘A’ hurling title following a hugely absorbing clash with a resilient Toomevara outfit at a sun-splashed Borrisoleigh on Friday evening last.

Extra-time was required to separate the sides with Toomevara hitting the front for only the second time in the contest in the first minute of the first period of extra-time, following an outstanding closing quarter which saw the ‘Greyhounds’ come from four points down to level proceedings and send the tie to extra-time.

From the very get-go this game had it all, penalty saves, point-blank saves, deft touches for goals, sublime points from range, and throw in a well-floated sideline cut or two and you had a recipe for a thrilling contest.

Kiladangan were quickest out of the blocks and raced into an early two-point lead with efforts from Eoin Meagher and DJ McGrath before Paul Ryan’s deft fifth minute flick past the advancing Ciaran Kelly in the Kiladangan goal handed Toome the lead for the first and only time in normal time.

Paddy Grace quickly added a sweet point from play for the Greyhounds before Kiladangan seized control of matters and rattled off 1-3 without reply to fire Joe Keane’s charged into a 1-6 to 1-1 lead by the eleventh minute with the points coming from DJ McGrath, Matthew Cleary and Eoin Meagher (free) while Eoin Kelly netted with aplomb in the ninth minute.

Toome’s response was immediate and a noticeable tightening up of marking in midfield and a squeezing of the middle third brought the men in green and gold to within two points by the 20 minute mark thanks to a brace of Robert Delaney frees coupled with fantastic efforts from play from Conor Delaney and Sean Flaherty, 1-6 to 1-7.

Toomevara, who were also out in the U-19 county semi-final on Sunday, were endeavouring to protect their players but were forced to introduce Jack Doran in the 22nd minute in a bid to add more impetus to their midfield and by the 29th minute further points from full forward, Michael Brislane and wing-forward, Sean Flaherty brought Toome’ to within a solitary point. Eoin Meagher (free) and Michael Delaney exchanged points on the cusp of half-time before Bill Cleary was yellow carded for an off the ball incident with Jack Doran deep in injury-time.

Kiladangan took a slender 1-9 to 1-8 lead to the dressing room at the break and introduced Daragh Butler for Bill Cleary at the interval. Toomevara were first to strike following the resumption of hostilities thanks to sublime Robert Delaney sideline cut from the bank side, but Kildangan hit back in style with a well-taken Matthew Cleary goal. Cleary was on fire in the third quarter for the ‘Dangan with two further points but Toomevara held in there with a sweet Sean Flaherty effort from range.

Both inside back lines were outstanding throughout with Cathal Kennedy a tower of strength at full-back for Toome’ while Kiladangan captain Shane Seymour was hugely impressive until he was forced off with injury on the 40-minute mark.

With the light fading the floodlights illuminated the Borrisoleigh pitch from the 46th minute onwards but it also served to brighten up Toomevara’s attack. Niall O’Farrell landed a booming effort from range on 47 minutes before Bob Delaney fired over a long-range free on 50 minutes. Kiladangan kept pace though with Eoin Meagher firing over a close-range free after the elusive Dan O’Meara was fouled before Eoghan Sharkey knifed over a well-struck effort from close-range.

Toome’ raided once more though and were awarded a penalty after referee Peter Carroll adjudged Kiladangan corner-back, Jack McGrath to have restricted Michael Brislane as the sliotar dropped out of the sky from a long-range Robert Delaney free. Up stepped Delaney for the penalty but his effort was excellently saved by Ciaran Kelly in the Kiladangan goal.

Undeterred, Toome’ kept coming and dominated the closing stages with Eoin Grace setting up Cian Ryan for a 57th minute effort before Ciaran Kelly was once more forced to pull off a cracking save after he dived low to his left to deny the raiding Paul Ryan. Three points on the bounce from Rpbert Delaney, Eoin Grace and Conor Delaney brought Toomevara level right on full-time and with just one minute and 40 seconds allowed for injury-time Peter Carroll’s shrill blast of the final whistle sent the tie to extra-time.

The first period of extra-time was dominated by the ‘Greyhounds’ and buoyed by their final quarter flourish they rattled off two early points with both Jack Doran and Sean Flaherty on target. The ‘Dangan responded with success points from placed balls from the accurate Neil Cahalane, the second a 65’ after Cormac Hogan in the Toomevara goal pulled off a fine save from the well-angled Dan O’Meara shot on goal.

Further points from Daragh Butler and Cahalane (free) edged Kiladangan into a two-point lead but once more Toome’ dug deep and although Eoin Grace’s searing effort went to the left of the post and wide play was hauled back for a close-range Toomevara free which Robert Delaney duly converted to ensure his side trailed by just the bare minimum at the break in extra-time, 2-17 to 1-19.

From the re-start Johnny Horan and Michael Brislane traded points as did Neil Cahalane and Tim Flaherty from frees before Kiladangan seized the initiative with booming long-range efforts from both Bill Cleary and Gavin McGrath before Eoin Meagher (free) put four between the sides.

Toome’ responded with a Tim Flaherty free but with just a minute remaining Kiladangan’s Eoin Meagher netted with aplomb to put Kiladangan well and truly in the driving seat. Toomevara retorted with a cracking Jack Doran goal though to leave three between the sides before a late Eoin Meagher free provided Kiladangan with the insurance point and with it this year’s North Junior ‘A’ hurling title.

Impressive for Kiladangan were Ciaran Kelly, Shane Seymour, Martin Minehan, Eoin Kelly, Dan O’Meara, Neil Cahalan, Matthew Cleary and Eoin Meagher while Cathal Kennedy, Cathal Frend, Darragh Spillane, Conor Delaney, Robert Delaney, Jack Doran, Michael Brislane and Sean Flaherty caught the eye for Toomevara.

Kiladangan: Ciaran Kelly, Gavin McGrath (0-1), Shane Seymour, Jack McGrath; Darragh Ryan, Martin Minehan, Ronan Ducie; Dan O’Meara, Neil Cahalan (0-5, 0-4f, 0-1 65’); Bill Cleary (0-2), Matthew Cleary (1-4), DJ McGrath (0-2); Eoghan Sharkey (0-1); Eoin Kelly (1-0), Eoin Meagher (1-7 (0-6f).

Subs used: Daragh Butler (0-1) for B. Cleary (h/t); Johnny Horan (0-1) for Seymour (inj 40 mins); Aidan Ryan for Eoghan Sharkey (55 mins); Bill Cleary for A. Ryan (e/t); Eoghan Sharkey for Ducie (e/t); Ryan Gillick (NR) for E. Kelly (e/t).

Toomevara: Cormac Hogan, Ciaran Grace, Cathal Kennedy, Cathal Frend; Colin Hall, Darragh Spillane, Niall O’Farrell (0-1); Dan Farrell, Conor Delaney (0-2); Eoin Grace (0-1), Robert Delaney (0-6, 0-4f, 0-1 sl-cut), Seán Flaherty (0-4); Paddy Grace (0-1), Michael Brislane (0-3), Paul Ryan (1-0).

Subs used: Jack Doran (1-1) for Hall (22 mins); Cian Ryan (0-1) for P. Grace (46 mins); P. Grace for Spillane (inj e/t); Tim Flaherty (0-2f) for R. Delaney (e/t); Jack Gleeson for E. Grace (e/t).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess).