Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels       1-09

Boherlahan Dualla                                           2-04

By Mark Dunne PRO

Holycross was the venue for this eagerly anticipated Mid Tipperary Minor B Football Final between Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels and Boherlahan Dualla with spectators thoroughly earning their entry fee.

This game opened at a ferocious pace, the wet conditions were going to make life difficult for all and this was evident from the off. Boherlahan however sought every opportunity in the opening minutes but were not able to convert and by the 4th minute had three wides registered. Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels defence were now under severe pressure, Boherlahan running game was causing problems and by the 6th minute had their first score on the board. That said Moyne Gaels eventually settled and a free from the 45m line dropped short only for the Boherlahan goalie to foul it and Conor Bowe to point on his second attempt. Minutes later the services of Conor Bowe were to be called on again as he pointed his second to put Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels into the lead with 15 minutes of football played. A point up and not playing exceptionally well Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels found themselves two to the good when up stepped Gearoid O’Connor and pointed from distance. Their heads now firmly up, they were soon dealt a devastating blow when the inform Cian Bargary netted to put Boherlahan a point up with 10minutes to play. Next to point was Conor Bowe and the game was now delicately poised at 1-01 to 0-04. Kick outs remained a problem from minute one to minute sixty, and Moyne were punished in the 23rd minute with another good score from Cian Bargary. Sean Hayes, Shane Lowe and Dean Lawlor were all playing well and it was to be the latter that would set up Conor Bowe for a wonder point with half time almost upon us. However there was time for one more attack and Moyne were punished for failing to deal with the runner, this time James Kirby putting Boherlahan one point to the good just as referee Tom McGrath blew the half time whistle. The scoreboard in Holycross read Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels 0-05 Boherlahan Dualla 1-03.

Hunger and commitment was the clear message from the management team as Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels took to the field for a vital 30 minutes of football. A tremendous start was on the cards as from the throw in Martin Ryan received a lovely pass only to shoot narrowly wide. Boherlahan were next to try for a score but their similarly drifted away to the left and wide. With 33minutes gone on the clock a decisive moment occurred, Boherlahan poised to score their second goal only to be denied the bravery of Darragh Taylor. A refurbished team had taken the field for the second half. Both teams then traded scores and in the 6th minute Conor Bowe drew Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels level. A moment of class then occurred when a quick thinking Gearoid O’Connor placed the ball neatly in front of Bowe who pointed of his right to send his team one point up. The game began to heat up both on the field and off as the hunger in both sets of players was now evident. The next score was to be crucial and it was Conor Bowe who would grab the bull by the horns and send Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels two points to the good.  With the tide now singing in Moyne’s favour, referee Tom McGrath then awarded Martin Ryan a penalty when he was hauled to the ground by the Boherlahan goalie. However Jack Riordan redeemed himself with not one but two terrific saves to deny Conor Bowe the opportunity to further the lead. Moments later in similar circumstances Boherlahan Dualla were awarded a penalty. What John Riordan can do Barry Ryan can do better as he pulled a vital safe to protect his teams slender lead. With the game still very much balanced Sean Hayes on a darting run scored his sides’ only goal, 1-09 to 0-04 with10 minutes left to play. However Boherlahan responded with a goal of their own to bring the game back to two points. With the game now fairly hot every free was to be crucial. Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels were determined to see this through and that is what they did. Substitute Micheál Mulcaire, Shane Ryan, Sean Hayes and Shane Lowe hassled every ball. With time up Conor Bowe was awarded late free that went narrowly wide but this didn’t matter as moments later referee Tom McGrath blew the full time whistle. Final score now read Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels 1-09 Boherlahan Dualla 2-04

A fantastic finish to a wonderful game of football. This game could easily have gone either way but it was hunger and determination that saw Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels crowned Mid Tipperary Minor B Football Champions for 2017. Joint Captains Gearoid O’Connor and Shane Ryan happily accepted the trophy of fellow Moyne Templetuohy Joe Kennedy. A special word of mention though must go to the management team of Sean Everard, Morgan Lanigan, John Sweeney, Pat O’Connor, Pat Flanagan and first aider Philomena McNamara who made all this possible.

Team and scorers: Barry Ryan, Kieran Larkin, Darragh Taylor, Ciarán Llyod, Dean Lawlor, Shane Lowe, Dylan Shaughnessy, Shane Ryan, Gearoid O’Connor (0-01), Chris Munroe, Sean Hayes (1-00), Ben Ryan, Martin Ryan, Conor Bowe (0-04 frees, 0-04), Jack Taylor. Subs used: Micheál Mulcaire for Jack Taylor (40mins).

Referee: Tom McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)