News & Events

U14 hurling County final - 2009

Nenagh Eire Óg ............................. 1-6
Durlas Óg........................................ 1-5

What a memorable day for our U14s in the ‘Field of Legends’ Semple Stadium when capturing our 6th County U14 hurling title and our first since 2003. Ever since our galling last minute defeats in the U12 Hurling and Football County Finals of 2007, there has been a sense of unfinished business about this team which ultimately drove them on to victory in a thriller against a gallant and sporting Durlas Og team.

The team were very relaxed and got off to a good start with points from placed balls by Barry Heffernan and James Mackey. Conor Lanigan struck a Durlas Óg goal in the 9th minute and followed up a minute later with a point. David Fogarty also pointed for Durlas Og to leave the scoreboard reading Durlas Óg 1-2 Nenagh Eire Óg 0-2. Our team captain, Michael Collins scored a great point in the 18th minute when he gained possession in his own half and soloed twenty metres before striking between the posts from 60 metres. Conor Lanigan replied with a Durlas Óg point before Conor Ryan got in behind the Durlas Og defence and hit a screamer of a shot just wide of the upright. Killian Gleeson, who was outstanding from the word go, pointed a free from 70 metres on the stroke of half time to leave us behind by 1 -3 to 0-4 at the interval.

Nenagh began the second half well and started to dictate the play. Shane Hennessy picked a ball in midfield and soloed through the defence before hitting a fine point from 40 meters. Durlas Og dangerman Conor Lanigan replied with 2 points to extend their lead out to 3 points. Barry Heffernan managed to get in behind the tight Durlas Og defence to strike a goal much to the delight of the large Nenagh following; 1-5 each. It was end to end stuff from now with hurling at its best with some marvellous fielding and striking from both teams as they went for broke with not a hint of a foul stroke. With both defences on top, it looked like the game would go to extra time until Michael Collins, whos move to midfield proved to be an inspired one, latched in to a ball about 40 meters out under the old stand and hit a beautiful shot over the bar for what proved to be the winning score. Durlas Og had one more chance but Philip Hickey cleared upfield and the final whistle sounded to the delight and relief of everyone from Nenagh. So ended a magnificent contest between two marvellous teams that will always be remembered by those present. It was a courageous and tenacious display by Nenagh against a skilful Durlas Og team that were most sporting and gracious in defeat.

The team returned to town amid much noise and colour and had a memorable parade through the busy streets. The credit for bringing this panel to North & County Final honours and indeed to the Feile All Ireland U14 semifinal must go to manager Greg Browne and his selectors John Tucker and Liam Quinn, they set high standards that ultimately lead to the ultimate success in the County Final. Also thanks to all the backroom team that helped out in particular Bartley Ryan who provided first aid on the day. Special thanks to those that decorated the town with flags, it was much appreciated. Thanks to Martin Morris and his staff in the Hibernian Inn for the catering after the game. The club would like to wish Jack O’Brien every success in his forthcoming knee surgery, we are all looking forward to having Jack back in action with the team next year.

Team and scorers: Michael Hallinan; Aodhan Geaney, Donnacha Quinn, Gerard O’Gorman; Michael Collins (0-2), Killian Gleeson (0-1), Andrew Coffey; Philip Hickey, Shane Hennessy (0-1); Christopher Ryan, Barry
Heffernan (1-1), James Mackey (0-1); Gary Howard, Paul O Laoire, Conor Ryan. Subs used: Paul Browne, Jack Molamphy. Other panel members: John Cahalan, Aidan Healy, Jack Sheedy, Brian Flynn, Oisin Ryan, Anthony Walsh, Niall O’Gorman, Aaron Hogan, Mark Grace, Jack O’Brien.

 

EIRE ÓG TOPS IN THRILLER

Nenagh Eire Óg ............................. 1-6 Durlas Óg........................................ 1-5

Two years ago Nenagh Eire Óg left Semple Stadium disappointed after having lost the County Under 12 hurling final to a last minute point to Holycross-Ballycahill. It was a different story last Saturday as an injury time point gave them a dramatic win over Durlas Óg in a thrilling County Under 14 'A' final at the "Field of Legends". This was a fabulous contest with the result in doubt right up to the full time whistle. When it looked as if the game would go to extra time up came wing back Michael Collins in the 2nd minute of injury time to strike over the winning point.

Nenagh Eire Óg had the better of the early exchanges but once Conor Lanigan struck a Durlas Óg goal in the 9th minute it was the Thurles boys that were on top for the remainder of the half. Nenagh opened the scoring with a point from a '65' by Barry Heffernan in the 2nd minute and five minutes later they increased their lead with a pointed free from James Mackey. Durlas Óg's influential centre forward Conor Lanigan received an injury in the 8th minute and this forced their mentors to switch him to corner forward with Graham Maher going into the centre. This move proved inspired as a minute later Lanigan got on the end of a delivery from midfield to flick it to the back of the Nenagh net and he followed this with a point from play and David Fogarty also pointed to leave the scoreboard reading Durlas Óg 1-2 Nenagh Eire Óg 0-2. Eire Óg's Michael Collins scored a great point in the 18th minute when he gained possession in his own half and soloed twenty metres before striking between the posts from 60 metres on the Ardan Ui Riain stand side. Lanigan replied with a Durlas Óg point before Eire Óg had a great chance of a goal but corner forward Gary Ryan saw his effort shave the upright and go wide. Killian Gleeson brilliantly pointed an Eire Óg free from 70 metres in the 25th minute to leave his team in arrears by 1-3 to 0-4 at the interval.

Eire Óg had the first score of the second half when midfielder Shane Hennessy had a point to leave the minimum between the teams. Durlas Óg replied with two Conor Lanigan points and the teams were level after ten minutes of the half when Barry Heffernan got in behind the Durlas Óg defence to finish to the net. The tempo of the game increased and it was end to end stuff from here until the full time whistle. Both teams had scoring opportunities but the defences were on top with Donnacha Quinn and Killian Gleeson outstanding in the centre of the Eire Óg defence while Durlas Óg's Jack Lineen and Ronan Maher got in an amount of good defending and cleared many a dangerous situation. The next score which proved to be the winning one didn't arrive until the 2nd minute of injury time when attacking Eire Óg wing back Michael Collins received possession some 40 metres from the Durlas Óg goal and his strike went straight between the posts to give his team a one point advantage with time almost up. Durlas Óg got one further chance but the Eire Óg defence cleared and the final whistle sounded to end a fabulous contest.

This was a magnificent win for Nenagh Eire Óg who had to dig deep for their success. They had many top class displays none more so than Donnacha Quinn who gave a very impressive performance at full back, Killian Gleeson was a commanding figure at centre back while wing back Michael Collins scored two great points. Shane Hennessy was always involved in the action at midfield and Barry Heffernan was an excellent leader of the attack where James Mackey and Paul O Laoire were also prominent.

Durlas Óg were bitterly disappointed at the final whistle and who could blame them. They came so close to victory. Best on day were Jack Lineen, Ronan Maher, Brian Hanrahan, Kevin Dunne, Graham Maher and top scorer Conor Lanigan who finished with a tally of 1-4.

Team and scorers:

Nenagh Eire Óg: Michael Hallinan; Aodhan Geaney, Donnacha Quinn, Gerard O'Gorman; Michael Collins (0-2), Killian Gleeson (0-1), Andrew Coffey; Philip Hickey, Shane Hennessy (0-1); Christopher Ryan, Barry Heffernan (1-1), James Mackey (0-1); Gary Howard, Paul O Laoire, Conor Ryan. Subs: Paul Browne, Jack Molamphy.
Durlas Óg: Tom Meehan; David Russell, Jack Lineen, Brian Hanrahan; Paul Sammon, Ronan Maher, Caley Maher; Kevin Dunne, David Fogarty (0-1); Graham Maher, Conor Lanigan (1-4), Billy McCarthy; Tom Tierney, Thomas Skehan, Paddy Carroll. Subs: Luke Kelly, Sean Butler.

Referee: Sean Bradshaw (Knockavilla-Donakeigh Kickhams)

 

U14 hurling North final - 2009

On Saturday last, we defeated Toomevara in the North Final by 8-17 to 1-3. This was a day that everything went right for us with Toomevara not getting the bounce of the ball on the day. It was a good team effort led by Michael Collins as captain, with every player playing a role and 10 players getting on the scoresheet. Preparations will now start for the County semi final versus the South Champions which is scheduled to take place on the weekend of September 11th.

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