Junior A Hurling: Fr. Tom Burke's v Tipperary

Fr. Tom Burke’s 2-16 Tipperary 0-14

Fr. Tom’s got their junior campaign off to a winning start with a win over a sticky Tipperary side they could not completely shake off.  Tom’s started and ended well, but throughout the middle part of the game Tipp gave them plenty to worry about.  Peter O’Keefe was a ball of energy at corner forward and kept the Tom’s backs on their toes. Tom’s fortunes revolved largely around the involvement of midfielder, Niall Armstrong, however, others such as Fran Keenan and Chris O’Donoghue stepped up later in the game to put the win away. 

Niall Armstrong in action for Tom's.

Tom’s got off to the better start and after about 30 minutes led by 6 points to 2.  O’Keefe accounted for Tipp’s scores while for Tom’s it was Armstrong, Keenan, and Ciaran Moore with a tap over from a very tight angle.  It could have been more had Tom’s made better use of their chances, there were several efforts that drifted wide of the posts.

Tipp came into it in the latter stages of the half.  The half backs began to win more ball and send the forward line a steadier supply.  O’Keefe, Sean Moriarty, and Ryan McCrystal capitalized and the Tipp men had closed the gap.  A late goal alleviated Tom;s concerns somewhat, a sideline cut dropped into the box and Ciaran Moore pulled from close range to restore Tom’s lead.  Keenan had put a free from well inside his own half over the bar and at the break it was a 1-10 to 0-8 Tom’s advantage.

Tipp started the second half well, Pat Moriarty and Mike Moriarty entered the fray having helped the Shannon Blues to a junior football win on the B field.  The gap closed to two points with Pat Moriarty and O’Keefe putting three well taken points over the bar.   

That was as close as it got however and the Tipp revival ran out of steam.  Armstrong came into the game again and the Tom’s forwards chipped in.  Local boy, Declan Harrington stroked a lovely point over the bar, and Armstrong added two with Keenan chipping in with three.  Sean Delaney was called on late in the game to pull off a great save from a Keenan effort on the 21, but Tom’s pretty much had the game in the bag at that point.  A great start from Tom’s and with all their players available Tipp will be a strong side at junior level.

Fr. Tom’s:  G. Kelly, B. Flynn, J. Dooley, S. O’Brien, S. Higgins, P. Flynn, P. Egan, N. Armstrong, J. Martyn, C. O’Donohoe, F. Keenan, C. Moore, T. Doran.  Tipp: S. Delaney, C. Madden, S. Kennedy, D. Donovan, B. Troy, D. Larkin, G. O’Connor, R. McCrystal, T. Hanley, S. Moriarty, K. Kavanagh, P. O’Keefe, J. McGrath

By Rory O'Donnell