Tipperary 2-16 Westmeath 2-15
Tipperary seemed to be cruising comfortably in the final of the senior hurling league as they were quite dominant in the first half and led by 2-9 to 0-7 at the break. AJ Willis and Ruadhan Mulroney had banged in the goals, while Darragh Hynes, Mossy O’Connor and John Tierney floated over the points along with Ruadhan Mulroney and AJ Willis. On the other side Dave Mangan had the bulk of Westmeath’s scores but Mike Cullen and Adam Stones were also on the scoring sheet.
On the changeover Westmeath had a greater sense of urgency as Dave Mangan, who would have a very productive afternoon shot over three quick points. However, Tipp responded with a trio, courtesy of Willis, O’Connor and Mulroney. The exchanges were now more even as Eamon Brennan and Darragh Hynes exchanged points before top scorer Mangan banged in his first goal through a packed goal-mouth from a free, to leave the score at 1-12 to 2-14 with a quarter left to play.
Then another Mangan free reduced the deficit, but points from Whelan Conroy and Mulroney gave Tipp a six-point lead with 10 minutes left on the clock. Then Mangan’s second goal just left a goal between the sides. Two further Mangan points left the minimum between the sides. Tipp tried desperately to get out of danger but keeper Danny Motthem pulled off a few brilliant stops to keep the fat in the fire. The final whistle sound and Tipp had held on to the slender lead to end a very exciting game.
Tipperary: Tommy Kavanagh, Henry Keyes, Colin O’Brien, Rory Carty, Bill Maher, Tommy Byrnes, Tom O’Meara, Mossy O’Connor(0-2), Evan Deegan, Darragh Hynes(0-2), Ruadhan Mulroney(1-5), John Tierney(0-1), AJ Willis(1-6). Subs Fiachra Scoll. David Pond, Ross Butler, Sean Gormley, Paudie Gill, Kyle Creamer, Campbell Boyd, and Andrew Dinan.
Westmeath: Danny Motthem, Conor McShea, Brian McParland, Cian Murray, Ger. McPartland(0-1), Ultan O’Connor, Adam Stones(0-2), Gary Corless, Pauric Doolin, Dave Mangan(2-9), Mike Cullen(0-1), Aidan Long, Sean Stones. Subs Sean Leary, Eamon Brennan(0-1). Men of the Match, Dave Mangan and AJ Willis. Referee Chris Dalton.
Westmeath statement
Westmeath 2-13 Donegal 0-5
Recently at the victory banquet Westmeath maestro John Moore announced that once-off championships were nice, but repeat championships would be Westmeath’s modus operandi for this season. Well judging from the Lakesiders’ performance against Donegal, it seems a very credible claim.
Though, Donegal’s Sean Moore opened the scoring after a patient buildup, Westmeath took control and would go in leading by 1-8 to 0-2 at the break. Their dominance was built on tenacious tackling, forced turnovers, penetrating runs and scoring opportunities converted.
Frank O’Reilly pointed from an acute angle and Stephen Grogan followed up with a major. The full forward line was devastating with Jack Robinson being the best. Ruairi Slaine interrupted Westmeath’s dominance with a fine long-range point. After the short whistle, Donegal went on the attack resulting in a Kaelan Sexton pointed free. However, it was then back to the Westmeath playbook.
Jack Robinson capitalized on a wayward kick out to punch over and center-back Kieran Murphy pointed twice from long-range. Midway in the period, Robinson once again intercepted another clearance and this time sent the wayward delivery to the net.
As the game wore on Westmeath could afford the luxury of several wasted scoring chances that could be problematic in a tighter encounter. Donegal would add a brace courtesy of Stephen Quigley and Peter McNiff, but on this occasion it was not their day as Westmeath had too much firepower for the beleaguered Tir Connell men.
Westmeath: Pat Guerin, Izzy Ilunga, Shane Fagan, Steve Nolan, Kevin Murphy(0-2), Sean Moore(0-1), Emmett O’Congaille, Adam Loughlin-Stones, Gavin O’Brien(0-1), Brian Travers, Jordan Ajani, Stephen Grogan(1-1), Jack Robinson(1-5), Frank O’Reilly (0-3). Subs Mark Galligan, Ryan McCusker, Dan O’Sullivan, Stephen Monaghan and Keith Scally.
Donegal: Connor Tinney, Dara Toal, Tommy Carpenter, Eoghan Doody, Sam McCabe, Ruairi Slane(0-1), Bradley Doherty, Sean Conroy(0-1), Loughlin Byrne, Evan Mulgrew, Peter McNiff(0-1), Declan Hughes, Stephen O’Quigley(0-1), Keelan Sexton(0-1), Peter McNeilis. Subs Conor Daly, Colm Doherty, Kaelan Walsh, Tiernan McLoughlin, Seamus Deane, Matt Gallagher. Man of Match Jack Robinson, Referee Shane Hogan.
Brooklyn cruise in 2nd half
Brooklyn 2-18 Rangers 0-8
The clash between Brooklyn and Rangers subscribed to the late soccer supremo Jimmy Greaves’s famous classification, namely, “a game of two halves.” The first half was competitive, while Brooklyn totally dominated the second. Both teams scored a brace in the opening quarter. Sean Martin and Rob Carr were on target for Brooklyn, while keeper cum place-kicker Joey Grace responded for Rangers. Indeed, Rangers could have been ahead as Chris Multihull unleashed a powerful goal-bound effort but it was brilliantly saved by keeper Corrigan.
By the intermission Brooklyn had edged ahead, 0-9 to 0-6. Forwards Daire O’Brien, Rob Carr, and Brian O’Hanlon scored, while Chris Mulvihill, Joey Grace and Tom Hanaway replied for Rangers. The tale of the tape tells the story of the second half as Brooklyn’s power, pace and precision totally overwhelmed an under-strength Rangers side. Brooklyn hit for 2-9, the goals coming from Brian O’Hanlon and Dab Cibotar, while limiting Rangers to a brace from Joey Grace.
Brooklyn: Ryan Corrigan(0-1), Diarmuid Bennett, Alan Campbell, Cian O’Dwyer, Bill Maher, Daire Brennan, Ethan Lennon, Liam McGrath, Ted Regan, Maitis Mac Ceallabhui, Liam McGrath, Dab Cibotar(1-0), Brian O’Hanlon(1-5), Rob Carr(0-5), Daire O’Brien(0-4), Shane Bolger. Subs. Sean Martin(0-2), Tomas O’Connor, John McSorley, Sean Smith, Paddy Boyle.
Rangers: Joey Grace(0-5), Shane Doheny, Jim Breen, Willie Brasil, Conor Kinsella, Dan Burton, Mal McStay, Blaine Malone, Conor O’Reilly, Emmett Loughrane, Chris Mulvihil(0-1)l, PJ King, Tom Hanaway(0-2), Kevin Loane, Steve Herman. Man of Match Brian O’Hanlon, Referee Jeff Farrell.
Kingdom have
Rebels’ measure
Kerry 1-14 Cork 0-13
Kerry had much the better of exchanges in the first half of this local derby-type encounter as the Kingdom’s Liam Kearney midfielder kept his forward sextet well supplied Although Cork’s Colin O’Connor scored first by punching over, Niall Madine quickly replied. Madine and Jack Murphy sent over two more before Fintan Gould got the Rebels’ second point.
Then Cork had a major escape as Bobby Ryan forced a great save from ‘keeper Donal Casey. Kerry’s forwards were moving very fluidly and executing timely interchanges and they would lead comfortably at the break by 0-9 to 0-3, with Madine, McCarthy, McElligiot, and Sheedy hitting the target. Colin O’Connor got Cork’s third point and they looked set to score a goal against the run of play, but keeper Harte responded well to Gould’s goal attempted effort.
The second half was more competitive and entertaining, though it did get a little testy at times. Dara Walsh got Cork’s scoreboard moving with an early point but it seemed Kerry’s dominance was likely to continue as Madine and Murphy pointed. However, Cork stepped up their performance and production as Fintan Gould hit two spectacular points from distance and Fintan O’Reilly sent over another fine score. Rebel momentum was then stalled as Bobby Ryan hit over a brace, one from play and the other from a free.
Cork were not about to throw in the towel as they hit three unanswered points with Pearse Lillis, Tom Joe O’Sullivan and Mickey Lenaghan on target to get within three points with 10 minutes left.
Unfortunately for the Rebels that was as close as they would get to the Kingdom. A Kerry attack saw a ball deflected off the crossbar, but the inrushing Sammy Dwyer was on hand to palm the ball to the net. That major strike killed off any chance of Cork rattling Kerry’s cage as time ticked away. Both sides added late points and the Kerry defense closed off the attacking routes. The better team won as Kerry were more consistent throughout the hour.
Kerry: Tom Harte, Mike Cronin, Keith Quinn, Adrian Lang, Donal Hunt, James Walsh, Eoghan McElligiot(0-1), Liam Keaney, Mike Dorgan, Niall McCarthy(0-2), Bobby Ryan(0-3), Peter Fox, Jack Murphy(0-2), Niall Madine(0-5), Sammy Dwyer(1-0). Subs David Langan, Jack Riney, Ed Myers, Ollie McLean, Colm Logue.
Cork: Donal Casey, Enna Barry, Sean Wilson, Jamie Davis, Jack Sheedy(0-1), Matt Queenan, John Conefrey, Alan Raftery, Alan O’Donoghue, Dara Walsh, Pearse Willis(0-1), Liam Grainger, Colin O’Connor(0-5), Fintan Gould(0-3), Tom Joe O’Sullivan(0-2). Subs Sean Tierney, Ryan Hillard, Rory Duggan, Aaron Traynor, Fintan Reilly, Ryan Scanlan, Mikey Lenaghan, Sean Carty, Lorcan Kennedy. Man of Match Liam Kearney, Referee Mike Reilly.
Barnabas turn it on in 2nd
St. Barnabas 2-12 Sligo 1-7
The first half of this senior championship match was a rather lackluster affair, with nothing very exciting or controversial, apart from the referee overruling an umpire. Both sides had a modest 0-4 tally at the short whistle. The second half was vastly different as Barnabas stepped up their performance remarkably all over the field. They hit five unanswered points per the Mathers brothers, plus sterling defending per Kavanagh, Curran. Boyle, Rafferty and kept Sligo off the scoreboard for the third quarter.
Danny Corridan eventually broke the stalemate, but then a penetrating movement involving Shane Brosnan and Tiernan Mathers set the scene for Conor Rafferty to bang in a goal. Sligo went in search of a goal but Mike Argue had to settle for a punched point. With James Donovan doing well in the middle, Conor Mathers worked his way in for a point and Conor Rafferty added another. Sligo laid siege to the Barnabas goal and a thundering shot from Brian Coughlin rebounded downward from the crossbar, and they were shouts that it crossed the goal, but after consultation, the officials determined it hadn’t.
However, the next incident was the most controversial. The referee indicated that a penalty be awarded for an alleged “foot block.” The alleged guilty player was adamant that the ball ricocheted off his posterior and he was prepared to show the imprint where it struck him. In essence it was a butt block and not a foot block. Meanwhile, Danny Corridan scored the penalty, but Barnabas finished out the game in style as chief scorer Tiernan Mathers pointed a free and Liam Rafferty rattled the net to complete a powerful second half performance by the Bronx Boys as they almost shut down a highly vaunted Sligo outfit.
St. Barnabas: Jack Dennis, Jamie Boyle, Dylan Curran, Ian Kavanagh, Nolan Kelly, Kevin Rafferty(0-1), Peter Cronin, Johnny Reynolds, Conor Rafferty(1-1), Shane Brosnan(0-1), Paudie Studdart(0-1), Conor Mathers(0-2), Tiernan Mathers(0-6), Caolan Mathers(0-1), Shane Hogan. Subs Brendan Cole, James Donovan, Shane Rafferty, Liam Rafferty(1-0).
Sligo: Vinny Cadden, Shane Queenan, Noel Hatton, Andy Flynn, Sean Thompson, Paul Kelly, Dylan Rooney, Mike Argue(0-1), Dan Connell, Danny Corridan(1-1), Connell Ahern(0-3), Mat Moyles(0-1), David Cox, Brian Coughlin, Eoin Kerins. Subs Sean Corridan, Mike Diskin, Cathal Sheehan. Players of the game, the Mathers and Rafferty boys, Referee Peter McCormack.
