2018 West U21B Hurling Final

2018 West U21B Hurling Championship Final (18th November 2018)

Cappawhite Gaels 1-21

Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams 1-16

Cappawhite Gaels made it third time lucky as they claimed a first-ever Ollie’s Bar West Tipperary Under-21B Hurling Championship title on Sunday last at a sunny Golden. Last year’s finalists went one better on this occasions as they accounted for the challenge of a highly-fancied Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams team. Three years ago the sides met in the West minor B hurling final with Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams just shading it at the end.

Robbie Quirke made an immediate impact when firing over the game’s opening point after just forty seconds. The Gaels were in determined mood and Willie Barry added another before Ryan Renehan scored the first of his five points from a free. Kickhams though soon retaliated in kind – first Devon Ryan opened their account and this was quickly followed by points from Padraig O’Carroll and Ger Browne. The sides were level at three a piece after seven minutes with five of the six scores coming from play.

Rian Doody opened his account and Robbie Quirke added his second before Willie Barry pointed from a close range free. The ding dong nature of the game continued with Devon Ryan pointing twice from frees before Robbie Quirke added his third from play. Neither side was willing to back down and this led to a tough physical battle.

Ger Browne and Ryan Renehan (free) swapped points to see Cappawhite Gaels ahead 0-8 to 0-6 after nineteen minutes. Kickhams dominated the last ten minutes of the half, but added just one point from five chances – that from Kieran Breen following a good run. Eoghan Ryan pointed to see Cappawhite Gaels ahead at the break 0-9 to 0-7.

Willie Barry added two points from play and a placed ball to open up a four-point advantage. Fraser Allen was fouled and the referee signalled a penalty which was deflected on to the post by Kickhams’ goalkeeper Aaron Browne. Kickhams brought the gap back to a point with points from Devon Ryan (placed balls) and a second from Ger Browne. Any time Kickhams came back though Cappawhite Gaels had an answer. Tommy Coughlan gave them breathing space with his first and Ryan Renehan added his first from play. Devon Ryan (free) and Willie Barry swapped points as the three points remained between the sides. Kickhams were now struggling to create clear cut chances with the Cappawhite Gaels defence not in a generous mood. Joe Griffey did get a chance which could have been a goal, but his shot just went over the crossbar.

With a quarter of an hour to go Cappawhite introduced Dara McCarthy and he made an immediate impact. His high delivery found Fraser Allen and saw the first green flag of the game. It was a crucial score that now put five points between the sides. Devon Ryan pointed two frees either side of a long-range free from Ryan Renehan. Devon Ryan pointed a ’65 with six and half minutes to play to again leave just three points between the sides. But the game’s trend continued and Cappawhite finished strongest with further points from Willie Barry, Ryan Renehan and Colm O’Dwyer. Devon Ryan pointed a free before Nathan Ryan’s short free found Michael McCormack who found the net. It was mere consolation as Tommy Coughlan and Rian Doody rounded off the scoring. Cappawhite Gaels running out winners 1-21 to 1-16.

Afterwards a delighted Tommy Coughlan accepted the Bill Hayes Perpetual Trophy from West Tipperary Board chairman John O’Shea and competition sponsor Jerry Ryan.

Best for Cappawhite Gaels were Philip Gantley and Ryan Renehan in defence while Colm O’Dwyer and Tommy Coughlan added points from midfield. Rian Doody put in a good shift of work while Robbie Quirke and Willie Barry were always a threat.

Kickhams were best served by Nathan Ryan at full-back, Kieran Breen and Eoin McCormack while Ger O’Dwyer worked hard in the forwards. Ger Browne scored some nice points at midfield, but was starved of possession when moved into full-forward. Devon Ryan finished with a tally of ten points with eight from placed balls.

Cappawhite Gaels: Tim Meagher, Eanna Buckley, Philip Gantley, Seamus Burns, Fionn Brady, James Dee, Ryan Renehan (0-5, 0-4 frees), Colm O’Dwyer (0-1), Tommy Coughlan (0-2), Rian Doody (0-2), Eoghan Ryan (0-1), Robbie Quirke (0-3), Willie Barry (0-7, 0-2 frees), David Murphy, Frazer Allen (1-0). Subs used: Dara McCarthy.

Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams: Aaron Browne, Kevin Fitzgerald, Nathan Ryan, Shane Farrell, Lorcan Carr, Kieran Breen (0-1), Eoin McCormack, Eddie Daly, Ger Browne (0-3), Ger O’Dwyer, Michael McCormack (1-0), Cathal Ryan, Daniel Lonergan, Padraig O’Carroll (0-1), Devon Ryan (0-10, 0-8 frees). Subs Used: Joe Griffey (0-1), Ben Ryan.

Path to the Final:

West Championship Round 1

Cappawhite Gaels 3-17 Éire Óg Anacarthy 1-14

West Semi Final

Cappawhite Gaels 3-17 Golden 0-14

West Final 🏆

Cappwhite Gaels 1-21 Knockavilla Kickhams 1-16

(Back L-R) Fraser Allen, Éanna Buckley, Kieran Duggan, Eoghan Ryan, Ryan Renehan, David Murphy, Tim Meagher, Philip Gantley, Colm O’ Dwyer, Fionn Brady, Willie Barry, Ciarán Doody. (Front L-R) Brendan Murphy, Dara McCarthy, Rian Doody, James Dee, Tommy Coughlan (Captain) Robbie Quirke, Cian Murray, Jim O Dwyer.