Newport GAA Club rejoices after claiming first ever 'A' county title

County U15A Hurling Championship Final

Newport 1-22 

Cashel King Cormacs 1-6

By Michael McCarthy

Newport U15s made history on Saturday last bringing home a first ‘A’ underage title to the town, and while comfortable in the end, the result was in doubt until the 50th minute when the very impressive Ollie Roche got in for a much-deserved green flag. 

Cashel made life exceedingly difficult for the favourites from the off. They were full-blooded in their tackles, had a brilliant work-rate, and can be immensely proud of their display. 

Ollie Roche, however, was the star on the show and he opened the scoring in the excellent Cappawhite club grounds inside two minutes, Cashel center-forward Ultan O’Donoghue responded almost immediately, and center-back Robert Dunne had the west men in the lead minute later with a well taken free. 

Ollie Roche was causing all sorts of trouble inside for Newport and scored three points in the next ten minutes along with an Oisin Kennedy free to put Newport in Control. O’Donoghue would respond for Cashel with their only score in the period. 

Newport looked like they might run away with it at this stage but as the half-closed Scott Ryan put over a free and then MJ Anglim gave the west men a lifeline with a well-taken goal to leave the half-time score Newport 0-12 Cashel 1-04. 

Newport extended their lead by three points in the first five minutes of the second half with scores from Colm Ryan and two from Ollie Roche. Two Cashel frees from Ben Fitzgerald and Scott Ryan reduced the lead to six points. 

There would be a stalemate for the next ten minutes as both teams seemed to go after goals. Fionn Moloney was particularly impressive in the Cashel Goal beating away everything that was thrown at him. Ollie Roche extended the lead to seven before he eventually forced the ball past the Cashel keeper. 

The Cashel resistance was finally broken, and Newport would finish out the game scoring six points without reply, through Roche, Colm Ryan, and Darragh Hickey. 

Cashel to their credit never stopped trying and can be incredibly happy with their performance. They were still in the game up until the Newport goal and can have the performance of Fionn Moloney to thank for it. Robert Dunne, Ultan O’Donoghue, and Ben Fitzgerald never stopped for the West men. 

Newport had the star man on show in Ollie Roche, who finished the day with 1-12 to his name (1-9 from play). Oisin Kennedy was a colossus in the middle of the field while Stephen O’Brien played a real captain’s part at full-back. 

Newport: Cian Donohue; James Egan, Stephen O’Brien, Tom McCabe; Sean Carrig, Aarol Lane, Rhys Guiney; Ronan Gaffery, Colm Ryan (0-3); Darragh Hickey (0-1), Oisin Kennedy (0-4, 0-2f), James Ryan; Jack Landers (0-1), Ollie Roche (1-12, 0-3f), Ronan O’Mahony. 

Subs used: Andrew Coffey, Harry Moloney, Ben Maher, Eamon Berkery, Mike Coffey, Ryan Byrne. 

Cashel King Cormacs: Fionn Moloney; Michael Conor O’Brien, Adam O’Halloran, Aidan O’Dwyer; Adam Hayde, Robert Dunne, Harry O’Connor; Colin Maher, Ben Fitzgerald; Jamie Gayson, Ultan O’Donoghue, Nicholas Walsh; Evan Ryan, MJ Anglim, Scott Ryan. 

Subs used: Michael O’Brien, Cathal Bonnar, Jamsie O’Donoghue, MJ Kennedy. 

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)