Dunnamaggin battle to narrow Under 21 success over Tullogher Rosbercon

Dunnamaggin were victorious in the JJ Kavanagh under 21 B hurling championship with a narrow two-point victory over South Kilkenny neighbours Tullogher Rosbercon in Sunday afternoon’s exciting final at Thomastown. 

In a match of small margins, a first half penalty goal, and a more consistent free taker on the day, made the difference on an excellent December afternoon for hurling, weather wise, at the Grennan venue.

This was a sixth success in the under 21 grade for Dunnamaggin, the previous wins compiled of four in the “A” grade (1995 1996 1998 and 1999), along with their only previous “B” success (1993).

The excellent Ryan Murphy, who finished with eight points from play, gave Tullogher Rosbercon the lead in the opening minute.

Two Denis Walsh frees had the Dunnamaggin men in front, before Danny Glennon levelled matters from a 6th minute free.

Ruairidhi Holden put ‘Dunna ahead again, but three points from play by Ryan Murphy left Tullogher 0-5 to 0-3 clear on 13 minutes.

A long-range Joe Fitzpatrick free reduced the lead to one point, before Ruairidhi Holden levelled matters on 17 minutes. 

In the next two minutes, a Denis Walsh free was answered by a fine individual point by Tullogher Rosbercon’s Marty Murphy.

Between the 22nd and 26th minute Dunnamaggin recorded an unanswered 1-2, scores that would prove vital.

First a ‘Dunna attack, spearheaded by Noah Cahill, was abruptly ended with a foul close to the Tullogher goal, there was no hesitation in referee Eoin Hayes recording a penalty, put away neatly by Denis Walsh.

This was followed by a point from the same player from a midfield free, and Ruairidhi Holden added the points.

Two Danny Glennon frees reduced the lead to three points, 0-8 to 1-8.

Dunnamaggin, with points from Ross O’Neill, Denis Walsh (free) and nippy corner forward Noah Cahill, went six points clear as the interval drew near, with a Glennon pointed free closing out the first half scoring.

Halftime- Dunnamaggin 1-11; Tullogher Rosbercon 0-9.

Tullogher Rosbercon again started the new half the better, with three unanswered points from Marty Murphy, Jamie Lyng and captain Mikey Handrick.

Joe Fitzpatrick opened ’Dunna’s second half account, but Tullogher Rosbercon were still in the ascendancy, as Ryan Murphy added two further points from play.

There was now just a point between them, 0-14 to 1-12, but sadly for the black and amber Tullogher men, Glennon was finding point scoring difficult, particularly from placed balls.

On the other side, Denis Walsh with frees in the 44th and 46th minutes, was almost flawless for the green and white clad Dunnamaggin outfit.

Points on 47 and 49 minutes by the brilliant Ryan Murphy again reduced the margin to a point, 0-16 to 1-14. 

A 100-yard Denis Walsh free from Dunnamaggin on 55 minutes was replied to by a Tullogher placed ball by Andrew Murphy, 0-17 to 1-15.

The contest was now at fever pitch, with neither side giving an inch, as this game reached its ultimate climax.

A Denis Walsh free, closed off the scoring, and Dunnamaggin had held on for a fully deserved two-point victory, 1-16 to 0-17.

The green and white side had a sound goalie in Kieran Tallon, a defensive six with Shaun O’Keeffe, Thomas Deegan and Ciaran Hickey prominent, and further upfield captain Dennis Walsh, Ruaridhi Holden, Joe Fitzpatrick and Noah Cahill starred.

On another afternoon Tullogher Rosbercon could have achieved the spoils of victory.

Conor Ryan and Lar Murphy defended well throughout, whilst Marty Murphy and Danny Glennon tried hard to support the trojan efforts of their full forward Ryan Murphy.

Referee Eoin Hayes and his linesmen Jack Miller and John Walsh done a fine job officiating this very competitive meeting of these Southern neighbours before a very decent crowd.

Dunnamaggin: Killian Tallon, Pearse Costello, Shaun O’Keeffe, Thomas Deegan, Eoin Shiel, Ciaran Hickey, Jamie Tallon, Colin Fitzpatrick, Ross O’Neill (0-1), Joe Fitzpatrick (0-2, 0-1 frees), Denis Walsh (Captain 1-9, 1-0 penalty and 0-9 frees), Ruairidhi Holden (0-3), Noah Cahill (0-1), Aaron Moore, Jimmy O’Neill.

Subs: Tim Doherty for Aaron Moore (halftime), Sean Rossiter, Sean Lawton, Joe Fitzpatrick, Cathal Walsh, John Hayes, Conor Lawton, Aidan O Neill, Conor Alyward, Cathal Buckley, Gavin McMahon, David Moore, Liam Davis.

Management: Pat Hoban, lan Walsh, Eoghan Kearney, Darragh O’Keeffe. Physio: Robbie Lodge.

Tullogher Rosbercon: Eoin Kennedy, Paidi Dooley, Conor Ryan, Johnny Murphy, Cathal Mooney, Lar Murphy, David Kennedy, Jamie Lyng (0-1), JJ Ryan, Kevin Aylward, Marty Murphy (0-2), Mikey Handrick (Captain, 0-1), Danny Glennon 0-4, frees), Ryan Murphy (0-8), Andrew Murphy (0-1, free).

Subs: Dean Kinsella, Pat Doyle, Brian O’Shea, James Cummins, Fergal O’Shea, Sean Ryan, Niall Cummins, Evan Fitzgerald, Joe Malone, Sam Ryan, Dan Kennedy (Injured).

Management: Pat Hartley, Moling Cotterell, Brendan Lawlor. John Murphy.

Referee: Eoin Hayes