South Tipperary Under-21A Hurling Final

Experienced Ballingarry Clinch U21A South Title

Ballingarry 1-16; Mullinahone 2-10

Ballingarry Under 21 Hurling Team, South Tipperary Winners

Back L/R: Kevin Pollard, Conor Maher, Rickie Cashin, Darragh Ivors, Adrian Cleere, Brendan Ivors, Brian Kelly, Ian Ivors, Gerry Fitzgerald, Niall Walsh, Mathew Butler, Gerard Fennelly, Seán Doheny & Ciaran Hayes

Front L/R: Ciaran Shelly, John Edward Molloy, Michael Ivors, Danny Fitzgerald (Capt), Jonathon Ivers, Eamon Tuohy, Jack Fennelly, Seán Maher, Andrew Molloy & Kevin Croke

Although Mullinahone C.J.K. went into this game as the South Tipp senior and minor hurling champions it was Ballingarry who were the popular favourites to win the “Bob Fitzgerald” U21A hurling crown as they were the reigning champions and had also been the minor winners three years ago in 2008.

In the end perhaps it was the greater experience of Ballingarry and their ability to pick off points as Mullinahone tried to rally, which carried the day. One could say that the game was decided in the very first minute when Ballingarry were awarded a free well within point scoring range. Mullinahone were careless in defending or maybe inexperienced and the quick thinking Adrian Cleere, instead of pointing, passed to the unmarked Ian Ivors who crashed to the net. It was a dream start for Ballingarry but a hammer blow for the challengers. However C.J.K. didn’t panic and Brian Treacy replied with a point within a minute. This set the pattern of a tit for tat game.

Sean Doheny pointed for Ballingarry and Sean Curran replied from a free. After only four minutes the score stood Ballingarry 1-1 Mullinahone 0-2. In the 11th minute Ballingarry were awarded a penalty but Adrian Cleere with the adrenalin pumping had his effort saved.

In 13 minutes Eamon Tuohy who had started the game instead of on the bench pointed. This was cancelled by Luke Mullally in the next minute. Sean Doheny restored Ballingarry’s advantage in 15 minutes. During the first half Ballingarry No. 6 Gerry Fitzgerald was very prominent in defence for his team. Between the 17th and 19th minutes Kevin Croke made two excellent saves in the Ballingarry goal but in the 21st minute C.J.K. did score with Sean Curran pointing a free . Adrian Cleere who was now having a purple patch pointed in the 23rd minute and again a minute later. Sean Curran pointed a free but Cleere replied within 30 seconds. A poor clearance in 27 minutes led to a Ballingarry free which Cleere pointed. A Ballingarry 65 fell short. Gary Cronin of Mullinahone saw yellow and Adrian Cleere brought the half to an end in added time with a point from a long distance free.

Half time, Ballingarry 1-8 Mullinahone C.J.K. 0-5

Adrian Cleere pushed Ballingarry seven points in front when he pointed a free. It looked as if Ballingarry were pulling away as conditions were taking their toll on the younger Mullinahone lads. Sean Curran kept them in touch with a free in three minutes but a minute later it was seven again when Jonathan Ivors pointed.

Sean Curran was growing more and more influential as the game progressed and he pointed a free in six minutes. Adrian Cleere replied in the next minute. This constant ability to hit back after a score would have broken a lesser team than Mullinahone but they battled on. In the 9th minute they were back in the game when Luke Mullally scored a fine goal having been found in space. Adrian Cleere sent wide from a free but Sean Curran pointed in 10 minutes. Cleere pointed a free in 12 minutes but in the next minute Curran drove through and was hauled down. He smashed the resultant free to the net.

Game on and even more so when Curran pointed a long range free to level in 15 minutes. Adrian Cleere restored Ballingarry’s lead with yet another point from a free in 16 minutes. Cathal Horan levelled from a free in 18 minutes. In 20 minutes Ballingarry had a touch of luck when it took the referees intervention to award them the lead point from a free. In 21 minutes a Sean Curran effort from a free dropped short in the goal area and the full forward line were too slow to react and force the ball home. In 25 minutes Ballingarry put on fierce pressure. They won a 65. Mullinahone fullback Niall Cronin was injured and there was a break in play. This allowed Ballingarry to settle and broke Mullinahone’s momentum. Adrian Cleere pointed the 65. A minute later Sean Doheny with a point put the champions a goal clear. This time C.J.K. were unable to come back.

Ballingarry now go forward to meet Loughmore next weekend in Littleton in the county semi-final. Kevin Croke made two fine saves in goal at a vital time. Their full back line out-hurled the Mullinahone full forward line. Their half back line began very well but as the game went on Sean Curran gave them more and more trouble. They were on top in midfield. Up front they won a lot of ball and drew fouls and frees which were punished by Adrian Cleere who had a fine game. Overall they are a well balanced team with plenty of skill.

Mullinahone will be disappointed. They failed to win their first triple crown but considering that they began with eight minors and finished with nine they did very well in heavy conditions. Sean Curran was their undoubted star. He got most assistance from Luke Mullally and also Gary Cronin at the back. C.J.K. were made to pay dearly for the concession of too many frees in their own half. When this trait is removed from their play they will be a much better side. After the game the Ballingarry team was presented with the Kieran Flynn trophy by Dick Egan Cathaoirleach of the South Board.

Ballingarry - Kevin Croke, Brian Kelly, Danny Fitzgerald, John Edward Molloy, Dara Ivors, Gerry Fitzgerald, Jack Fennelly, Sean Doheny, Ian Ivors, Ciaran Shelly, Adrian Cleere, Gerard Fennelly, Jonathan Ivors, Eamon Tuohy, Niall Walsh.

Mullinahone C.J.K. - Richie Walsh, George Browning, Niall Cronin, Chris Horan, Gary Cronin, Eoin Fennelly, Keith Mullally, Diarmuid O’Halloran, Brian Treacy, Denis Connolly, Sean Curran, Luke Mullally, Cathal Horan, Danny Luttrell, Nigel O’Brien.

Referee: Willie Barrett (Ardfinnan).

(Article curtosey of Tipperary Star, Published on Wednesday 7th December 2011)