1. Evan Comerford – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
2. Alan Campbell – Moyle Rovers
3. John Meagher – Loughmore-Castleiney
4. Emmett Moloney – Drom-Inch
5. Kevin Fahey – Clonmel Commercials
6. Daire Brennan – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
7. Jimmy Feehan – Killenaule
8. Steven O’Brien – Ballina
9. Liam Casey – Cahir
10. Jack Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
11. Liam McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
12. Brian Fox – Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill
13. Philip Austin – Borrisokane
14. Conor Sweeney (Capt.) – Ballyporeen
15. Michael Quinlivan – Clonmel Commercials
16. Michael O’Reilly – Clonmel Commercials
17. Colm O’Shaughnessy – Ardfinnan
18. Dan O’Meara – Kiladangan
19. Liam Boland – Moyle Rovers
20. Conal Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
21. Ben Hyland – Fr. Sheehy’s
22. Paul Maher – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
23. Shane O’Connell – Golden-Kilfeacle
24. Gavin Whelan – Ardfinnan
25. Dean McEnroe – JK Brackens
26. Jack Delahunty – Newport
Meanwhile manager Shane Ronayne has revealed the Tipperary LGFA team to face Monaghan in the Lidl LGFA league. This game throws in at 12 noon.
The annual Friends of Tipperary Football golf classic will take place on April 26th and 27th in Thurles Golf Club. Tee boxes are now on sale for €50 while a team of four is an excellent €120.
If you would like to enter please contact Martin O’Dwyer at 086 254 9154
copyright http://www.sportsfocus.ie
It was then I recalled Samuel Johnson’s dictionary and his description of oats as “food for horses in England and for people in Scotland”. I sided with Johnson and headed for the sausages!!
So with the breakfast of champions inside me I collected the first cousin and headed for the game.
I was fortunate enough to be asked to coach the JK Brackens U21’s this year. In the car my cousin offered a sobering thought. “If you lose today, everyone will say you haven’t a clue, if you win everyone will say you couldn’t lose with that team”. The pressure began to mount. I again recalled Samuel Johnson and his description of the Irish. “The Irish are a fair people. They never speak well of one another”.
Anyone thinking that JK Brackens were favourites had obviously never seen Cahir play. This was a fabulous Cahir team that had beaten Moyle Rovers and Clonmel Commercials en route to the final. On social media during the week their supporters were playing down their chances, which is always a sign that a side is confident of victory. Cahir posters were making much of the fact that their team was mostly made up of last year’s minor team and that they were too young to win. Of course social media doesn’t deal in facts but the truth was that Cahir had eight of last year’s minor team playing while JK Brackens had nine.
In his book The Art of War, Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, advised “If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles”. Our management team of John Dunne, David “Spooner” Ryan and Michael Lynagh remained true to Sun Tzu teachings and had their research done on Cahir. Spooner and Michael had studied them so much they could nearly tell you how often they went to the toilet while John could tell you what time they went at!!!
Upon entering the ground in Dundrum, I got into conversation with an old Knockavilla Kickham’s friend of mine and as we were talking, the Cahir physio came over looking to know if there was a defibrillator in the ground. Either she was a very conscientious physio or this was taking mind games to a whole new level!!!
Finally, the game that I thought would never start started. JK Bracken’s would play towards the dressing room goals with a lively wind behind them and twelve Cahir defenders in front of them.
In the opening exchanges Brackens were enjoying more possession than a lion could handle but Cahir had the “Thou Shall Not Pass” signs up. Then in the 7th minute we saw Brackens pour out the wine that had intoxicated us in their games against Loughmore, Moycarkey and Arravale Rovers.
Paddy Cadell opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a beauty from distance. Lyndon Fairbrother, who has boot on him that would kick the salt out of holy water, followed up with another beauty three minutes later.
Then in the 12th minute came what proved to be the turning point or turning goal if you like. Brackens were awarded a free kick around the half way line. The quick thinking Fairbrother saw Neil Quinlan one V one inside and delivered a high ball into the apron of the Cahir goal. Quinlan held off the attentions of Christopher McDonagh with one hand and gathered the ball with the other, turned and shot to the net for his 6th goal of this U21 campaign. Fr Corcoran’s song entered my head again. “three cheers we’ll give for every man that comes from sweet Killea”
Shane Doyle and Quinlan showed Cahir that crime doesn’t pay with two pointed frees following fouls on the man with the Rolls Royce engine, Paddy Cadell.
The contribution of our two 16 year old wing forwards during this period cannot be underestimated. James Corcoran and Conor Cadell are two fabulous footballers who played with a confidence and a creativity that belied their tender years. They were well minded by their centre man, David O’Shea who was as sharp as a hawk in spring both in the air and on the ground. Andrew Ormond, who carried an injury into the game made intelligent run after intelligent run dragging defenders out of position and creating space for those around him to profit from his unselfish work.
22 minutes had elapsed before Sean Murphy opened the Cahir account with a pointed free. The impressive Tommy McDonagh added one of the scores of the game five minutes later. In between those scores JKB keeper Kuba Beben had dealt comfortably with a few dangerous balls into the square and showed why he is probably the best under-20 keeper in Tipperary. Kevin Grogan brought the first half to an end with a point from play to leave the score 1-5 to 0-3 at the tea break.
There is an old Irish saying “a good start is half the work”. If JKB were to survive they needed a good start to the second half and nobody did more than Paddy Cadell, captain Tom Murphy, the exceptionally talented and beautifully bred Eanna McBride and man of the match David O’Shea to ensure we got it. They had fine games as both warriors and generals.
The accuracy of free takers on both sides all through this game was of such a high standard that it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that William Tell had spent the last few months coaching in Tipperary. Shane Doyle popped over a JKB free on 33rd minutes before Conor O’Brien and Alan O’Connor added a free apiece for Cahir to leave the score 1-6 to 0-5 after 40 minutes.
Then came a two minute period that would decide the game. Paddy Cadell burst through friend and foe to restore the lead to five before Shane Doyle added JKB’s last score of the game in the 42nd minute after good work in the build up from the impressive Nick Keane.
From here on it was all Cahir. They attacked in numbers and with no little skill. If they were guilty of anything, they possibly over-elaborated at times which gave the JKB backs the opportunity to intercept. Where JKB have kick passed their way through the blanket in the first half, Cahir were trying to run and hand pass their way through. Three of their last four points came from frees. The loss of Stephen Grogan late in the game to what seemed to be an ankle injury certainly didn’t help their cause. If he was there in the final few minutes to assist the likes of the fabulous McDonagh brothers, Nicholas Reidy, Kevin Grogan and Ger Quinn then who knows, the outcome may have been different.
That said you would want to be in the whole of your health to get through this JKB defence. Jack Prout struggled to make underage teams early in his career but is now probably the first name you write on the team sheet. It is no surprise that he has come to the attention of county selectors. Michael Egan is a master of the full-back brief while minors Tadgh Nolan and Lorcan Roche are two men that you wouldn’t mind being in the trenches with. Not only would they have your back they would probably dig the trench for you as well. They performed like veterans on the biggest stage of all and when re-enforcements were needed Radek Natkaniec and Conor Sheedy were there to provide the back up.
Referee Michael Duffy decided to add ten minutes of injury time. My heart nearly stopped a few times during this period. Just in case of emergency, I informed our own physio where the defibrillator was located.
When the final whistle eventually went, the electronic scoreboard read JK Brackens 1-8 Cahir 0-9. All heaven broke loose and Ger Roche headed to the car to get the bagpipes. The most annoying musical instrument in the world never sounded so sweet.
County under-21 champions for the second year in a row. For the three amigos, Jack Prout, Andrew Ormond and Nick Keane it was their 4th county football medal in exactly one year. That is surely a record that will never be broken.
Details of the celebrations are sketchy at best but that’s a story for another day!
Copyright www.sportsfocus.ie
Today the Tipperary Water county under-21 A and B football finals took place and in the A decider JK Bracken’s Óg retained their title but were made work all the way by a brave Cahir side in Dundrum. Entering injury time Cahir reduced the margin to just two points and laid siege on the JK Brackens Óg goal but just could not find the decisive score.
Tipperary Water Under-21 A Football Final
JK Bracken’s Óg 1-8 Cahir 0-9
In the B decider played in Bansha, Kilsheelan-Kilcash had a comfortable 2-15 to 0-8 over Moyne Templetuohy Gaels.
Tipperary Water Under-21 B Football Final
Kilsheelan-Kilcash 2-15 Moyne-Templetuohy Gael 0-8
We send our congratulations to both winners and commiserate with the runners up and thank all four teams for providing us with tremendous entertainment this year.
For a whole series of photographs from today’s game please click here.
County Champions well done to Dunner Anto Spooner Mick and the panel of players. Two in a row is some achievement.
— JK Brackens GAA Club (@Jkbgaa) March 17, 2019
Congratulations to JK Brackens U21s today, great tough game and in the end not much in it , well done to all from Cahir GAA Club
— cahir gaa (@cahirgaaclub) March 17, 2019
Tipperary management make their way to the dressing room at half time
A wonder goal by Liam Boland in the 61st minute sparked a dramatic finish to a disappointing game in St. Conleth’s Park, Newbridge today as Tipperary chased down a nine-point Kildare lead and as the game entered injury time a Brian Fox effort levelled proceedings and it looked as if Tipperary were about to get something out of a game they, in all honesty, didn’t truly deserve. However, two late efforts from Adam Tyrell and Neil Flynn ensured the win for Cian O’Neill’s side.
Tipperary players prior to throw in today
Liam Kearns made two late changes to his side as Colm O’Shaughnessy came in for the injured Kevin Fahey while Michael Quinlivan made his first start of the year starting ahead of Dan O’Meara but it was Kildare, playing with the wind, who made the early start and by the seventeenth minutes they led 0-3 to 0-1 with Tipperary’s score coming from a Liam McGrath free after Conor Sweeney was fouled.
With the breeze at their backs Kildare had hoped to go into the break with a sizeable lead but this appeared not to be on the cards as they led 0-5 to 0-2 approaching half time. Liam Casey got Tipperary’s second point after a powerful Steven O’Brien run ended up with Michael Quinlivan in possession who in turn fed Casey and the Cahir man duly pointed. The final few minutes were the winning and losing of the game as Kildare scored 1-2 without reply, Fergal Conway getting the Lilywhites’ goal.
Half Time Kildare 1-7 Tipperary 0-2
Many Tipperary supporters were extremely pessimistic about their chances and this wasn’t helped with a Chris Healy point in the second minute of the second half. Conor Sweeney quickly cancelled this out with a point following a mark. Neil Flynn scored another Kildare point in the 46th minute and remarkably they would not score again until the 72nd minute when Adam Tyrell and a minute later Neil Flynn eased the stress levels among the home supporters to secure the win with late points.
Tipperary kept plugging away and two Sweeney efforts helped narrow the gap and in the 61st minute they got their big breakthrough. Conor Sweeney played an amazing cross field pass to Michael Quinlivan and the Commercial’s man blasted for goal but his shot was blocked and rebounded to Liam Boland who’s bullet found the roof of the Kildare net.
Kiladangan’s Dan O’Meara, who had earlier replaced Emmet Moloney, found himself in front of goal in the 70th minute and he made no mistake to leave the minimum between the sides and suddenly Tipperary found themselves in the game they never looked likely to be in.
And moments later the Premier fans almost lifted the roof off of the stand as Brian Fox drew the sides level but Kildare held their composure to score two late points with Liam Boland replying with one of his own.
Despite the loss there were a number of positives from the game. The return of Michael Quinlivan after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and the fact he played the full 70 minutes augurs well for next week’s game, while Paul Maher and Paudie Feehan also saw action after injuries. Defensively Tipperary held Kildare scoreless for 26 minutes during the second period and they bravely kept plugging away until the full-time whistle.
Next week the side play Clare in Semple Stadium and a win in this game, along with Armagh beating Cork in the Athletic Grounds, will ensure our division two status.
Tipperary: E Comerford; A Campbell, J Meagher, E Moloney; C O’Shaughnessy, D Brennan, J Feehan; S O’Brien, L Casey (0-1); M Quinlilvan, L McGrath (0-1f), B Fox (0-1); P Austin, C Sweeney(0-3, 0-2fs, 0-1m), J Kennedy.
Substitutes: P Maher for Austin (50 mins), L Boland (1-1) for Casey (58), P Feehan for J Feehan (60), D O’Meara (1-0) for Moloney (64).
Kildare: M Donnellan; D Hyland, M O’Grady, M Hyland; C O’Donoghue, E Doyle, P Kelly; K Feely (0-2), T Moolick (0-1); F Conway (1-0), P Brophy, K Cribbin; N Flynn (0-5, 0-2fs, 0-1’45), C Healy (0-1), J Hyland (0-1).
Substitutes: A Tyrrell (0-1) for Cribbin (47 mins), K Flynn for Healy (56), F Dowling for Brophy (56), J Murray for O’Donoghue (63), A Masterson for Conway (68).
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).
1. Evan Comerford – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
2. Alan Campbell – Moyle Rovers
3. John Meagher – Loughmore-Castleiney
4. Emmett Moloney – Drom-Inch
5. Kevin Fahey – Clonmel Commercials
6. Daire Brennan – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
7. Jimmy Feehan – Killenaule
8. Steven O’Brien – Ballina
9. Liam Casey – Cahir
10. Dan O’Meara – Kiladangan
11. Liam McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
12. Brian Fox – Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill
13. Philip Austin – Borrisokane
14. Conor Sweeney (Capt.) – Ballyporeen
15. Jack Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
16. Michael O’Reilly – Clonmel Commercials
17. Paddy Codd -Killenaule
18. Michael Quinlivan – Clonmel Commercials
19. Colm O’Shaughnessy – Ardfinnan
20. Conal Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
21. Ben Hyland – Fr. Sheehy’s
22. Paudie Feehan – Killenaule
23. Paul Maher – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
24. Jack Delahunty – Newport
25. Dean McEnroe – JK Brackens
26. John Lyons – Grangemocker-Ballyneale
1. Paul Maher – Moyne-Templetuohy
2. Cathal Barrett – Holycross-Ballycahill
3. James Barry – Upperchurch-Drombane
4. Ronan Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
5. Joe O’Dwyer – Killenaule
6. Padraic Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
7. Robert Byrne – Portroe
8. Noel McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
9. Michael Breen – Ballina
10. Jake Morris – Nenagh Éire Óg
11. Niall O’Meara – Kilruane MacDonaghs
12. Jason Forde – Silvermines
13. John O’Dwyer – Killenaule
14. Séamus Callanan (Capt.) – Drom-Inch
15. John McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
16. Brian Hogan – Lorrha-Dorrha
17. Willie Connors – Kiladangan
18. Colin English – Fr. Sheehy’s
19. Alan Flynn – Kiladangan
20. Barry Heffernan – Nenagh Éire Óg
21. Mark Kehoe – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
22. Séamus Kennedy – St. Mary’s
23. Brendan Maher – Borris-Ileigh
24. Donagh Maher – Burgess
25. Patrick Maher – Lorrha-Dorrha
26. Jamie Moloney – Drom-Inch
Cahir score their first goal in the South final
This weekend sees the first adult county finals take place of 2019 as the under-21 A & B deciders take place.
In the A final South champions Cahir will play the reigning county champions, JK Bracken’s Óg while the B decider sees Mid champions Moyne Templetuohy Gaels play South champions Kilsheelan Kilcash.
JK Brackens, county under-21 champions 2018
The annual Friends of Tipperary Football golf classic will take place on April 26th and 27th in Thurles Golf Club. Tee boxes are now on sale for €50 while a team of four is an excellent €120.
If you would like to enter please contact Martin O’Dwyer at 086 254 9154
Manager Shane Ronayne has revealed his starting fifteen for this encounter.
The Tipperary LGFA under-16 side play Cork tomorrow in Cloughduv GAA Pitch at 12:30pm and that side has been announced by manager Michael Towey. We send both them and the senior side our very best wishes.
If you would like to join the Friends of Tipperary Football you can do so on http://www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com/join or by clicking the Join tab at the top of this page.
Cahir’s Pa Meehan celebrates winning the South final
The 2019 Tipperary Water county under-21 finalists have been confirmed after a busy weekend of championship action.
On Friday evening last Cahir won the South final after a storming finish saw them overcome the challenge of Clonmel Commercials but they could not celebrate their win in style as they had to face Inane Rovers on Sunday in the county semi-final and they overcame the North champions in clinical fashion winning out 5-13 to 1-5.
JK Brackens, county under-21 A champions 2018
They now face the reigning Mid and county champions JK Brackens Óg who defeated the West men Arravale Rovers 2-8 to 0-4 in the other semi final.
The final is set for Dundrum at 4pm this Sunday, March 17th. For whichever side wins, there’ll no doubt be an extra special St. Patrick’s Day parade in their respective town that evening.
In the B championship Moyne Templetuohy – Thurles Gaels overcame the challenge of Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams 5-4 to 2-3 and they now await the winners of Kilruane MacDonagh’s who claimed the North championship and Kilsheelan Kilcash who won the South. This game takes place on Wednesday evening in Dr. Morris Park at 19:30pm with David Grogan as referee.
Kevin Grogan (Cahir) and Michael Murphy (Clonmel Commercials) in action in the South final
