Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels 2-05

Upperchurch Drombane                  2-08

By Mark Dunne

Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels first involvement in a Mid Tipperary Final as a new amalgamated team results in a three point defeat to Upperchurch Drombane on Friday evening last in a sunny Holycross.

Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels got off to a wonder start, no sooner had referee Tom McGrath thrown in the ball, when Curtis Ryan took off and landed the ball in the Upperchurch net giving the Moyne men a one goal lead inside 90 seconds. Endjis Mickelsons in the Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels net was called into an early save when Upperchurch full forward Conor Fahy struck for goal but Mickelsons got the barest of touches to tap it over the bar. Upperchurch pressed hard and caused problems for the Moyne Templetuohy defence, who gave way a number of frees which brought the teams level after 15minutes of play. Mark Ryan and Paul Murphy worked hard to minimise the Upperchurch pressure but in 22nd minute a kick out that was not dealt with saw a well worked Upperchurch move result in their first goal of the game. However Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels pressed hard with Conor Bowe, Curtis Ryan and Chris Munroe looking for scores however found it difficult to raise a white flag. The final few minutes of the half saw Upperchurch stretch their lead to three points but Moyne Gaels fought back with Curtis Ryan and Conor Bowe both scoring to reduce the gap to two points at the break with the score reading Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels 1-02 Upperchurch Drombane 1-04.

Upperchurch Drombane began the second half scoring two unanswered points, the first a free from midfielder TJ Butler and the second a wonderful from full forward Conor Fahy. Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels responded well from the boot of Conor Bowe, who soloed through the Upperchurch defence and slotted over to reduce the gap to three points. Chris Munroe kept the momentum going scoring a fantastic point of his left to reduce the score to two with 15minutes remaining. Upperchurch always looked dangerous however particularly on the counter attack, where the pace of Dean Carey and Pakie Bourke caused a lot of problems for Paul Murphy and his defence.  Conor Bowe though stood up and reduced the gap to one with a free 40 metres out. With gap now at one, the game was in the melting pot but a couple of easy turn overs saw Upperchurch attack at pace and they were rewarded with a 13m free with 5 minutes to go. TJ Butler happily converted to push the gap to two. Disaster struck in the 27th minute, a kick out which was easily lost saw Upperchurch centre forward Paki Ryan strike low to put five between the teams. All looked over for Moyne Gaels but they never gave up and were rewarded when Damian Cantwell toe poked the ball into the Upperchurch net after a long free was not dealt with. Two points remained between the teams but a late Upperchurch free in the 30th minute saw them push the gap to three and with time up also saw them crowned Minor B Football Champions for 2016.

Despite a three point defeat Moyne Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels can be very proud of their efforts. A few missed opportunities could have seen the game finish closer but that’s sport. Mark Ryan, Conor Bowe, Paul Murphy and Dylan Shaughnessy all played well and we wish them and their teammates all the best when they take on Drom/Inch in the Minor B Hurling Semi Final next week.

Team and scores: Endjis Mickelsons, Darragh Taylor, Paul Murphy (C), Shane Ryan, Dylan Shaughnessy, Mark Ryan, Jack Taylor, Curtis Ryan (1-00, 0-01 free), Gearoid  O’Connor, Damien Cantwell (1-00), Chris Munroe (0-01), Sean Hayes, Conor Bowe (0-02, 0-01 free), Jamie Morrissey,  Jamie Hackett. Subs used: Sean Hayes for Dean Lawlor, Paddy Dunican for Jamie Hackett

Referee: Tom McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)