JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Under 21 C County Final
Tullaroan 3-9; Dicksboro 0-12
Having lost last year’s under 21 D final narrowly to Graiguenamanagh after extra time, it was success for the North Kilkenny side from Tullaroan on this occasion, with a six-point victory over Dicksboro B.
This was a well contested contest, played in sticky conditions, at a windy Canon Kearns Park on Saturday December 1st.
Dicksboro had made the better start to this contest, aided by the strong wind, were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after twelve minutes, all three scores from Billy Fitzpatrick, two from play and a pointed free.
Cillian Brennan had opened the Tullaroan scoring, and it was points from the same player, along with a Gearoid Dunne score, levelled things on 17 minutes, 0-3 each.
By the 23rd minute it was still Dicksboro clear, 0-7 to 0-4, but before the interval Tullaroan took charge with two quick goals in a three-minute spell between the 27th and 29th minute. Both were the result of goalkeeping difficulties in the tricky windy conditions, the finishes by Paul Mulligan and Gearoid Dunne.
Half time Tullaroan 2-4; Dicksboro 0-9
Gearoid Dunne extended the Tullaroan lead early in the new half, a score replied to by a Billy Fitzpatrick free for Dicksboro. The next three scores were all for Tullaroan as they stretched out their lead by the 47th minute, thanks to two points from Gearoid Dunne from a “65” and play, and a score from substitute Liam Walsh. By the 25th minute Tullaroan led by three points, 2-9 to 0-12 and then the match clinching third goal, finished by Cathal Russell.
Both sides had goal chances in the second half, but on this afternoon Tullaroan had better forwards, and outscored 1-5 to 0-3 in the second half, to appear as under 21 C champions.
This was a deserved victory for Tullaroan. Goalkeeper Niall Holland performed well when called upon. Elsewhere in defence Bill Coogan and Billy Walton performed well. Further afield Aaron Russell, Cillian Brennan and Gearoid Dunne starred.
Dicksboro could not add to last week’s victory in the under 21A grade. Mick Carroll, Louis Raggett, Billy Fitzpatrick and Patrick Lacey battled hard throughout.
Tullaroan team & scorers:
Niall Holland, Tom Dillon, Eamonn Holland (joint captain), Matthew Mulligan, Bill Coogan, Bill Walton (joint captain, 0-1), Charlie Cleere, Aaron Russell, Padraig O’Mahoney, Cathal Russell (1-0), Ciallan Brennan (0-2), Gearoid Dunne (1-5, 2 frees, 1 “65”), Paul Mulligan (1-0), Josh Tallis, Billy Keogh.
Subs – Liam Walsh (0-1) for Billy Kehoe (38 minutes), Johnny Leahy for Padraig O’Mahoney (47 minutes).
Dicksboro team & scorers:
Ciaran Power, James Cleere, Mick Carroll Enda Kavanagh, David Fitzpatrick A Brennan Smyth (0-1, Captain), Louis Raggett, Bill O’Shea, J Brennan Smyth, Billy Fitzpatrick (0-9, 6 frees, 1 “65”), Rory O Connor Patrick Lacey (0-1), Peter Conroy Luke Kerwick, Anthony Clifford (0-1).
Subs – Conor Kavanagh for David Fitzpatrick (halftime)
Referee: Patrick O’Reilly.
By John Power Mon 9th Dec
