Moyle Rovers crowned South Junior A hurling champions
South Tipperary John Quirke Jewellers Junior ‘A’ Hurling Final
MOYLE ROVERS 1-22 ST PATRICK’S 0-18
Twelve months on from the disappointment of a shock defeat in the final to Clonmel Og, Moyle Rovers made no mistake this time round with a seven-points victory over St Patrick’s in the South Tipperary John Quirke Jewellers Junior ‘A’ Hurling Final played at Kilsheelan on Sunday afternoon.
The game’s decisive period was the second quarter when the Monroe side put clear daylight between themselves and their opponents, outscoring them by 1-10 to 0-5 during that purple patch of play. First half substitute Stephen Quirke made a huge difference following his introduction after only six minutes for the injured Sean Keating, and it was Quirke’s four first half points plus a well-finished goal by Dean English that gave Moyle Rovers a cushion they never fully relinquished.
At the interval Rovers were full value for their eight points advantage, 1-13 to 0-8.
Credit to St Patrick’s who despite facing into the breeze and the loss of a player through a red card in the 50th minute put it up to their more seasoned rivals in the second half. Despite the odds, the Anner Park side had narrowed the gap to three points with three minutes of normal time remaining, thanks in no small way to the huge contribution of Cathal Foley. But John McGrath’s side, calling on that extra reserve of experience, stemmed the tide with Stephen Quirke and Luke Delahunty hitting a pair of vital points each at the end to finally seal the deal.
The opening minutes were tit-for-tat, the sides level on three occasions in a low-scoring first quarter. Cathal Foley’s first free of the day gave St Patrick’s their only lead in this final and it was 0-3 each after 13 minutes. Within a minute of his introduction Stephen Quirke had a goal chance for Rovers but Johnny Moroney did very well to deny a well drilled low effort. The highlight points of that opening period came at opposite ends scored from distance by Stephen Quirke and Tony O’Brien out on the sideline.
The Powerstown/Lisronagh parishioners soon began to find their range hitting six of the next seven points from Rory Collins, Stephen Quirke (2x65s), Kevin Grace, Luke Delahunty and a Dara Ryan (free) softly given, with St Patrick’s only mustering an Aidan Fitzgerald point in response.
There was no doubt that Rovers were enjoying far more possession and should well have been further ahead than 0-9 to 0-5 at this juncture but a half dozen wides and balls dropping short were disrupting their haymaking.
St Patrick’s tried to pull themselves back into the game with excellent points from Tony O’Brien, Cathal Mahoney and Cathal Foley, but Rovers were matching them with quality points of their own from Riain Quigley and Stephen Quirke leaving the scoreline at 0-11 to 0-7 before the game’s only goal arrived.
Having lived dangerously on a few occasions up to this, St Patrick’s were punished just before half-time. Stephen Quirke and Dara Ryan were involved in teasing open the defence and when the chance fell to corner-forward Dean English he rattled the net from close range.
Before the interval Cathal Foley (free) and Riain Quigley traded points to send Moyle Rovers to the break eight points clear.
Like in the first half a Cathal Foley free opened the account after two minutes and immediately St Patrick’s had a big chance of a goal when Foley played Tony O’Brien through but somehow Brian Gleeson’s goal stayed intact before Jamie Broderick pointed the recycled ball. It was a big moment in the game and St Patrick’s could have done with a green flag then.
At the three-quarter mark Rovers were still those eight points clear at 1-18 to 0-13, Cathal Foley keeping St Patrick’s ticking over with three points (two frees) to scores for Rovers from Killian Butler (2), Man of the Match Stephen Quirke and Dara Ryan (free).
Backs to the wall now, St Patrick’s began to assert themselves more and point by point they narrowed that gap with five points without reply in a 12-minute period from William Cleere, Cathal Foley (3, one free) and Cian Cranitch, with the Foley brace from play particularly rousing for the Cloneen/Drangan followers.
Half-way through that 12-minute revival St Patrick’s were reduced to 14 men when referee Michael Kennedy had no hesitancy in red-carding Tony O’Brien; and last week’s Man of the Match Junior Football Final goalkeeper had no arguments with the decision against him.
Suddenly, Rovers, who had been cruising along for most of the game, now only had a puck of the ball to spare at 1-18 to 0-18 with all the momentum with St Patrick’s. However, an excellent point from a difficult angle by Luke Delahunty, when they needed it most, settled the Rovers. Stephen Quirke then sent over a monster of a free from well inside his own 65 for more breathing space, before two from play from Delahunty and Quirke ensured the Seamus Maher Cup was heading down the Scotch Road again for 2024.
For Moyle Rovers there were fine displays in defence from the McKeown brothers, Cathal and Brian, Ben Owens and Shane Ryan. Rian Quigley and Kevin Grace got through huge work at midfield. All six of the starting forwards scored, while it was 2015 Tipperary All-Ireland final minor captain, Stephen Quirke, who stood out most with a seven points contribution, four from play and three long distance frees.
Following last weekend’s Junior Football South Final win, this week has been disappointing for the hurlers of St Patrick’s with two final defeats, U19B and Junior A. Still they can take heart from this performance and the manner in which they battled against a physically stronger opposition. There was a lot to admire from the efforts of Evan Holohan, Pauric O’Brien, Cathal Mahoney, Cian Cranitch at midfield and Tony O’Brien, Daithí Hogan and in particular Cathal Foley who finished the day with 11 points. Their day will come before too long.
Moyle Rovers: Brian Gleeson, Cathal McKeown, Sean Keating, Brian McKeown, Luke Boland, Ben Owens, Shane Ryan, Riain Quigley (0-2), Kevin Grace (0-1), Killian Butler (0-3), Dara Ryan (capt., 0-4F), Rory Collins (0-1), Dean English (1-0), Anthony Phelan (0-1), Luke Delahunty (0-3)
Subs: Stephen Quirke (0-7, 0-2×65, 0-1F) for Keating (inj, 6 mins); Daire Luttrell for Phelan (46 mins); Conor McGrath for Grace (54 mins); Nathan Croke for S. Ryan (60+1); Sean Hackett for Butler (60+2).
St Patrick’s: Johnny Moroney, Conor Duggan, Pauric O’Brien, Evan Holohan, Eoin Ryan, Cathal Mahoney (0-1), Michael Boland, Ryan Cranitch, Cian Cranitch (0-1), Cathal Foley (0-11, 0-7F), Aidan Fitzgerald (0-1), William Cleere (0-1), Tony O’Brien (0-2), Richie Needham, Daithí Hogan.
Subs: Bill Cuddihy for Ryan Cranitch (HT); Jamie Broderick (0-1) for Ryan; Finn Madigan for Boland (45 mins).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle).