Kilruane MacDonaghs achieve remarkable U17A double after North final win over rivals

North Tipperary U17A Football Championship Final 

Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-13 

Nenagh Éire Óg 1-9

By Liam Hogan 

Kilruane MacDonaghs just managed to survive a late Nenagh comeback as they won their fourth North Tipperary Minor A Football title and first, since 1984 when they defeated neighbours Nenagh Eire Og in a dramatic finish played a floodlit Puckaun last Friday evening.

Kilruane made it an Under 17 North Hurling and football double in a game that was typical of what close neighbours can produce.  

There was never more than three points separating the sides and in the closing stages Kilruane were three points to the good with two minutes remaining but typical of Nenagh they fought back with two quick points before they produced one last attack which yielded a close-in free giving them a chance to level and force extra time but Michael Cleary MacLoone’s close in free was low and saved with the final whistle coming seconds later in the 62ns minute.

Perhaps, Nenagh supporters will suggest that the game could have gone their way had they taken their goal chances in the first half while Kilruane, who were slightly the more dominant team in terms of possession could have rued the number of wides, kicked (ten in total) some from very scoreable positions, especially in the second half. 

A Lucas Jones point for Kilruane, after just fourteen seconds, was the perfect start for MacDonaghs who enjoyed dominance in the opening five minutes but failed to increase their lead, kicking three wides instead.

But the Nenagh defence deserves credit in making life difficult for the Kilruane attack where James Heffernan impressed along with Adam Boland while Emmett Jones, Phelim Creagh and Aodhan Tucker were prominent.

Slowly but surely Nenagh’s entries to the Kilruane half were increasing by the minute and promised much but the Kilruane defence, led by Ferghal Doheny and Tommy O’Meara could produce a number of turnovers.

However, the Nenagh pressure finally paid off in the tenth minute when full forward Dylan McKenna was at the far post when receiving a well-placed effort by Eanna Tucker with the former tucking the ball low to the Kilruane net. 

The goal gave the game a lift as both sides used the next five minutes in swapping scores with Cillian Healy and Michael Cleary MacCloone swapping frees with Michael Cleary adding another free but for Cleary MacLoone to respond in kind to make it Nenagh 1-2 Kilruane 0-3 after eighteen minutes. 

With play drifted from end to end when Kilruane had a chance at a goal but Dylan Ashman was equal to an effort by Michael Henley. At the other end, Nenagh could have goal number two when Johnny Naughnane was forced to save Eanna Tucker’s chance from close in. 

Michael Cleary’s close-in free in the 25th minute helped Kilruane close the gap to one before Cillian Healy levelled in three minutes later. 

The game was opening up a little more with Nenagh growing in confidence but Michael Cleary MacCloone gave the light blues the lead and they should have increased their lead but the wide tally increased to six while Kilruane went to the dressing rooms with four. Half time Nenagh Eire Og 1-3 Kilruane 0-5.  

Whatever the first half missed was certainly replaced in the second half as both teams increased the tempo, especially Kilruane who hit the high road with three unanswered points in the opening ten minutes of the new half with Cormac Kennedy scoring first before becoming involved in the second point when providing an assist for Michael Cleary with Kilruane finally taking the lead in the 40th minute through Michael Cleary after Henley created a run through the Nenagh cover. 

One minute later, Nenagh were back level thanks to a pointed free by Daniel Connolly before Michael Cleary gave Kilruane the lead with a free in the 45th minute after a foul on Henley. 

Kilruane were now on top thanks to the workrate of their half-backline plus midfield while their half-forward line were to the fore they continued to create chances and by the 51st minute, the lead was our to three after quick points by Michael Cleary and Cillian Healy.

Not to be outdone, Nenagh came fighting back and Michael Ryan thanks to good work by substitute Jake Donnellan had the deficit down to two but Cormac Gaynor’s point had restored Kilruane’s three-point advantage. 

It was exciting stuff now and Nenagh fought back with a Connolly point before the three-point difference resurfaced with a Henley free in the 58th minute making Kilruane’s title hold secured. 

But Nenagh were having none of it as Eanna Tucker’s point reduced the margin to two before Cleary MacLoone further reduced the deficit to one just on the hour mark. The next score was important and one minute into added time a daring run by Phelim Cregan ventured into the Kilruane half of the field before he linked up with Aodhan Tucker who was fouled close to the 13-metre line. 

After consulting with his umpires referee Pat O’Mahoney signalled a free-in and Nenagh had the chance to level and force extra time but Cleary MacCloone kicked low and the ball was saved and the full-time whistle sounded. 

Scorers: Kilruane MacDonaghs: Michael Cleary (0-6, 0-3f); Cillian Healy (0-3, 0-1f); Lucas Jones, Cormac Kennedy, Cormac Gaynor, Michael Henley all 0-1 each. 

Nenagh Éire Óg: Daniel Connelly (0-4, 0-1f); Dylan McKenna 1-0; Michael Cleary MacCloone (0-3, 0-1f); Michael Ryan, Eanna Tucker 0-1 each. 

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Johnny Naughnane; Charlie Kennedy; Fearghal Doheny, Jack Quinlisk; Cormac Gaynor, Tommy O’Meara, Fiachra Aherne Woods; Tommy Burris, Cillian Healy; Cathal McIntyre, Michael Henley, Cormac Kennedy; Lucas Jones, Shane Cleary, Michael Cleary.  

Subs used: Andy Austin for Jones (49). 

Nenagh Éire Óg: Dylan Ashman; Michael Kennedy, Conor Hodgins, James Heffernan; Emmett Jones, Adam Boland, Phelim Creagh; Aodhan Tucker, Michael Cleary MacLoone; Eanna Tucker, Valters Janitona, Daniel Quinn; Michael Ryan, Dylan McKenna, Daniel Connolly.  

Subs used: Jake Donnellan for Creagh (41).

Referee: Pat O’Mahony (Kiladangan)