Dunne to the fore for Toomevara who stop Newport's drive for North clean sweep in U15 final

North Tipperary Under U15A Hurling Championship Final 

Toomevara 2-15 

Newport 2-11

By Liam Hogan 

Toomevara’s better all-round scoring power helped them become North U15A Hurling champions for the second time - since the age groups changed in 2021- when defeating holders Newport in a hard-fought but entertaining final played in front of a fine attendance at Puckaun last Saturday at noon.

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Except for the first 20-minute period of the second half, victory always seemed destined to go Toome’s way. They dominated the first half and led 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time. However, Newport improved in the third quarter and went in front 1-9 to 0-11 by the 41st minute before a well-taken goal by Colm O’Brien set Toomevara on the way. 

With Callum Ryan, KJ Dunne, and Jayden Delaney the key men, they went seven points to the good as the game went deep into injury time and despite the concession of a late goal, they had done enough to secure their first title in three years.

Newport, on the other hand, had to depend on top scorer Harry Moloney and his two early points, the first from a free, had Newport on the board after four and a half minutes.  Toome were level by the ninth after Jayden Delaney pointed back-to-back frees. Seconds later, a great run by KJ Dunne earned a free, and Delaney gave Toome the lead, but Harry Moloney levelled likewise after a foul on James Ryan Cooper. 

As play developed, Toome hit a good spell between the 13th and 17th minute with three unanswered points as Evan Grace, KJ Dunne (free), and Charlie Cummins scored before Tom McCabe reduced the margin to two by the 18th minute. 

Play was free-flowing, and points by Jayden Delaney (free) and KJ Dunne from a sixty-five had the game at double scores. A brilliant reply from Tom McCabe (his second) kept Newport in touch, but Toome were always more likely to score as KJ Dunne extended Toome’s lead with another sixty-five after Newport keeper Gavin Gaffney deflected a low free by Dunne away from danger, thus the resulting 65. 

The first half action didn’t end there as both ends survived a scare with Donnacha Kelly denying Tom O’Gorman, while at the other end the hard-working Darragh Healy produced a last-minute hook to deny a raiding K J Dunne before the half-time whistle arrived. 

KJ Dunne’s opening score nine seconds into the second half had Toome leading by five, but Newport’s half-time speech seemed to have inspired them as the next two minutes saw them score 1-1, starting with a Harry Moloney free before Ryan Byrne had the ball in the Toome net, leaving the minimum between the teams. 

KJ Dunne’s 65 had Toome ahead by two, but Newport had increased the gears and two pointed frees by Moloney had the scores level, Newport 1-8 Toomevara 0-11 by the 40th minute. 

There was more as the Purple and Gold took the lead through J J. Roche, but the lead that didn’t last very long because Toome’s response was swift as Aidan O’Gorman worked his way in along the end line before firing low past Gaffney. It was a great goal. 

The next minute saw both teams produce chances. KJ Dunne was denied at one end before Newport wing-back Jack Landers forced a 65  at the other to see Harry Moloney convert with scores level again after centre back Darragh Healy made it 1-11 each after 47 minutes. 

As the game began to open up, another Toome attack saw Dunne produce a defence-splitting run. Closing in on the goal, he passed to Colm O’Brien, who rattled the Newport net. Points by Dunne and Charlie Cummins had Toome five in front with nine minutes remaining.

The closing stages were stop-start as players needed attention for one thing or another. Scoring chances were at a premium, and the stoppages meant nine minutes of stoppage time, which was enough time for Colm O’Brien to increase Toome’s, followed by KJ Dunne’s ninety metre free. 

By then, the destination of the silverware was heading up the N7, but Newport rallied one more time, and Harry Moloney’s close-in free found the back of the Toome net, but it was too little too late.

Toome were deserving winners and apart from a match-winning front eight, they received great service from James Mounsey and his fellow corner backs while Dara Wyles, Callum Ryan, and Matthew Bergin did little wrong at half back. 

James Egan, Michael Coffey, Jack Landers, Darragh Healy, and Noah Ryan Quinn did everything they could in defence. Tom McCabe caught the eye, while Harry Moloney was Newport’s best prospect when it came to scoring. 

Toomevara: Donnacha Kelly; Robert Powell, James Mounsey, Michael Fitzpatrick; Dara Wyles, Callum Ryan, Matthew Bergin; KJ Dunne (0-7, 0-2f, 0-3 65s), Oliver Duff; Dan Daly, Jayden Delaney (0-4f), Evan Grace (0-1); Colm O’Brien (1-1), Aidan O’Gorman (1-0), Charlie Cummins (0-2). 

Newport: Gavin Gaffney; James Egan, Michael Egan, Jack Casey; Jack Landers, Daragh Healy, Nosh Ryan Quinn; Tom McCabe (0-2), Rhys Guiney; Harry Moloney (1-8, 0-5f, 0-1 65), Ronan O’Mahony, Ryan Byrne (1-0); JJ Roche (0-1), James Ryan Cooper, Tom O’Gorman.

Subs used: Andrew Coffey for Casey (52); Hughie Duggan for Byrne (52); Jim O’Mahony for Roche (52). 

Referee: Pat O’Mahoney (Kiladangan)

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