Shannon Rovers deliver a quality performance to dispatch Port and book final place
Shannon Rovers defeated Portroe in Nenagh on Sunday
Kelly’s of Fantane North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Semi final 2025
Shannon Rovers 1-18
Portroe 0-15
By Liam Hogan
An eager Shannon Rovers team made the most of their chances, especially in the last ten minutes, when they defeated old rivals Portroe to reach the North final for the first time in three years after a lively semi-final encounter played at a sultry MacDonagh Park, Nenagh, last Sunday afternoon.
A goal by Michael Tierney after four minutes was the best possible start for Rovers, and the three-pointer was enough to see them 1-9 to 0-9 in front by half-time. Portroe managed to cut the margin back to the minimum by the 44th minute at 1-12 to 0-14, but the final quarter was all Rovers as they outscored the Green and Gold 0-6 to 0-1 before full time.
This was one of Rovers' best performances in some time. The workrate and cohesion were well noted, and if there was a flaw in the display, it must surely be the amount of wides which increased to 14 before the hours end.
Victories over Portroe have always been sweet for the Reds and this one came thanks to a hard working display where teamwork and will to win was most evident the ever present Marcus Esmonde, Eamon Hough, Andy Byrne and Conal Moran were constantly taking the game to Port with Moran slightly edging it for man of the match slightly ahead of Esmonde and Eamonn Hough.
Behind them was some very solid work by Cathal Hogan at midfield, while the backline had able leaders in Alan and George Hannigan, Oisin McMahon, Matt Tierney, Conor Ryan, and Oisin McMahon in front of a very alert Vincent Mulvihill in goal.
On the other side of the coin, this must surely be a major disappointment for Portroe. North Premier Intermediate champions two years ago the team’s form has dropped dramatically. The loss of very good players to emigration and injuries has hampered the team.
Michael Breen, Brian Keating, William Flood, and Adrian O’Halloran did their best in front of new championship goalkeeper Kevin O’Halloran, who didn’t let the side down.
Centre back Robert Byrne, who lined out at six, was limited in his efforts due to injury while Michael Creamer tried hard at midfield and Sam Madden was Portroe’s best forward while Conor O’Brien never gave up in an attack that relied very much on John Sheedy from frees as the ace marksman scored 0-8, seven frees and a sixty five.
After Sam Madden’s opening in the third minute, a goal by Michael Tierney seconds later gave Rovers the desired start. Austin Tierney increased the lead with a point as Rovers continued on the front foot when going 1-4 to 0-2 in front after twelve minutes with Conal Moran supplying the three points, one from play plus two frees.
John Sheedy’s second free was quickly cancelled out by an Eamonn Hough score from play and the score for score continued with Sam Madden and Eamonn Hough scoring a point each from play before Sheedy and Moran took alternative turns from frees to see the scoreline read 1-7 to 0-7 after twenty three minutes.
The pace was lively as the teams combined with accurate deliveries, as two more Moran points had the margin out to five by the 26th minute.
James Ryan’s introduction was completed by a point from the experienced Port man before another Sam Madden attack forced a great save by Vincent Mulvihill at the expense of a sixty five which John Sheedy converted to leave the half-time score at 1-9 to 0-9.
Early scores in the second half began with Eamonn Hough scoring after 13 seconds, closely followed by a Matt Tierney score to see Rovers in front by five for the seventh time.
Needing something of a fightback, Port were quick to cut the deficit to one after four unanswered points came in six minutes, thanks to two Michael Creamer scores from play on either side of another Sheedy free before the Port marksman posted his seventh placed ball in the 40th minute.
Andy Byrne’s delivery was accurate. Sam Madden replied in kind, but Rovers opened up another five-point advantage after Hough, Moran, Esmonde, and another Moran free, this time long range, as Rovers looked set for home.
John Sheedy replied with a free only to see Moran do likewise as Marcus Esmonde doubled his account in the 57th minute.
Rovers were attacking at will now and could afford to increase their wides to fourteen as Conal Moran and Austin Tierney were off target before Moran had the final say when picking up his ninth point and fifth from play.
Shannon Rovers: Vincent Mulvihill; Oisin McMahon, Alan Hannigan, Jack O’Sullivan; Conor Ryan, George Hannigan, Matt Tierney; Marcus Esmonde (0-2), Cathal Hogan; John O’Meara, Conal Moran (0-9, 0-4f), Michael Tierney (1-1); Austin Tierney (0-1), Eamonn Hough (0-4), Andy Byrne (0-1).
Subs used: Sean Hough for Byrne (55).
Portroe: Kevin O’Halloran; Cian Hogan, Michael Breen, William Flood; Brian Keating, Robert Byrne, Adrian O’Halloran; Jack O’Callaghan, Michael Creamer (0-2); Sam Madden (0-3), John Sheedy (0-8, 0-7f, 0-1 65), Conor O’Brien (0-1); James Ferris, Diarmuid Boyle, Oisín O’Connor.
Subs used: James Ryan (0-1) for C Hogan (21); Anthony Bourke for Ferris (47); Mark Gennery for Madden (55); Colm Gleeson for Burke (57).
Referee: Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch)