County Under 17 B Hurling Final

Newport 2-14 Moycarkey-Borris 0-16

By Ed Donnelly

Two first half goals proved crucial as Newport captured the County Minor B Hurling Final on Saturday evening at the Dillon Quirke GAA Grounds Clonoulty.

Played in wet and windy conditions, Newport had the aid of the strong breeze in the opening half. However, the exchanges in the opening quarter were very even with Moycarkey battling well in defence while Jack Hayes was a thorn in the Newport defence, scoring three points from play.

Newport’s scores were coming from a variety of players as Jack McCarthy, Eoghan Flynn, Darragh Mackey and Darragh Meaney helped their side to a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after 14 minutes.

The opening goal arrived in the 15th minute as a speculative long range shot by Callum Poole was misjudged by the Moycarkey goalie and the ball ended in the back of the net off the netminders fingertips.

To their credit, Moycarkey responded well with points by Jack Hayes (2), Killian Cantwell and David Costigan with Newport adding points by Jack McCarthy and Cillian Collins (free) to leave Newport in front by 1-6 to 0-7 after 23 minutes. Jack McCarthy added his third point from play in the 24th minute and soon afterwards, McCarthy won possession again before finding Cillian Collins in space. Collins drew the last defender before passing to Shane Flanagan who dispatched the ball to the net for an excellent Newport goal.

There was still time for a Moycarkey goal chance in the 28th minute but Rory Heffernan’s shot was deflected away to safety and at the interval, Newport led by 2-7 to 0-7. Moycarkey’s main threat up front Jack Hayes picked up a leg injury just before half-time and he would be replaced for the second half by Conor Donnelly.

While Killian Cantwell scored two quick frees for Moycarkey to open the second half, the lack of a scoring threat up front was proving a problem as Newport proceeded to stretch their lead out to 7 points, 2-12 to 0-11 heading in to the final quarter.

To their credit, Moycarkey never gave up and with wind assistance, Killian Cantwell led the way with 8 second half points (two from play) to reduce Newport’s lead to three points with two minutes remaining.

The elusive goal would not come Moycarkey’s way and it was fitting that player of the match Jack McCarthy scored his sixth point in the 61st minute for the insurance score to ensure Newport were champions by a four point margin.

For the winners, Harry Lee and Cathal Hannon marshalled a dominant Newport rearguard while Damien O’Brien impressed at midfield. Up front, Cillian Collins proved a handful at full-forward and pointed five frees while Jack McCarthy scored five points from play.

For Moycarkey, Jack Hayes was proving a handful in the opening half, scoring four points from play before getting injured. Killian Cantwell led the charge in the second half, scoring nine points overall while David Costigan added two points from play.

Player of the Match: Jack McCarthy (Newport)

Newport: Ryan Shinners; Dave McGrath, Harry Lee, Luke Kennedy; Darragh Meaney (0-1), Cathal Hannon, Adam Power; Daithi Whelton, Damien O’Brien; Eoghan Flynn (0-1), Shane Flanagan (1-0), Callum Poole (1-0); Jack McCarthy (0-6, 0-1 free), Cillian Collins (0-5 frees), Darragh Mackey (0-1)

Subs: Sam Caplis for McGrath (28m, inj.), James Moloney for Mackey (51m), Martin McCabe for Hannon (57m, inj.)

Moycarkey Borris: Darragh Peterson; Richie Maher, Daniel Hayes, Sean Lanphier; Killian Cantwell (0-9, 0-7 frees), Louis Coughlan, Cathal Clancy; David Costigan (0-2), Cillian Doran; Sean O’Dwyer, Tom Ryan, John Fitzgerald; Eamon Ryan, Jack Hayes (0-5, 0-1 free), Rory Heffernan

Subs used: Conor Donnelly for Hayes (HT, inj.); Conor Doherty for O’Dwyer (HT), Sean Maher for Lanphier (39m)

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)