Tipperary Water County Minor A Hurling Final

Moycarkey Borris edge a cracker to claim major victory in the minor final

By Noel Dundon
Moycarkey Borris 2-12
Cappawhite Gaels 1-12

Twelve months after suffering the heartbreak of losing the Tipperary Water county minor A hurling final, famed Moycarkey Borris rekindled the spirit of legends past, to emerge victorious in the same competition a year later after a herculian battle at Clonoulty on Saturday afternoon against west champions Cappawhite Gaels.
When it came down to it, Moycarkey Borris just wanted it more and the level of desire they displayed throughout the field was incredible, especially in those frantic final moments as Cappawhite Gaels came in search of an equalising goal. Players found reserves of strength from somewhere and threw themselves in front of tackles to prevent the opposition from getting clean shots off – it was wonderful fare to watch, even if the conditions were not conducive to decent hurling. No, this was a day for digging out possession, fighting on the backs, and making the most of the chances which materialised. Moycarkey Borris did that and just had enough to get over the line with their noses in front.
Defeat was heartbreak for the Cappawhite Gaels lads who contributed so much to a titanic battle. From the moment Jack Fallon goalled in the 3rd minute for Moycarkey Borris, Cappawhite Gaels chased the game. But, they never gave up the chase and were to be admired for their tenacity in the tackle, their ability to get in blocks and hooks, and their determination to do whatever was required to win the game. In the end they came up just short, with the skill levels of the Shelly's in the Moycarkey Borris attack proving the big difference between the sides.
There was a huge attendance in Clonoulty for this eagerly awaited game and with the skies weeping for most of the hour, conditions were difficult for the players to master. But, their efforts at commandeering control of sliothar and hurley were admirable in a game which was very physical for a minor final. Egged on by the drenched supporters on the sidelines, the players raised their game to fever pitch level, thereby serving up a quality final, mindful of the conditions.
It was nip and tuck for the first few minutes of this game with the sides tied at 0-3 apiece after five minutes. But, Jack Fallons goal put some daylight between them and catapulted the mid champions into the driving seat.
Scores continued to be shared until half time with William Barry continuing to be the main flag raiser for Cappa' Gaels – he hit all bar one of their eight first half scores, with wing back Gearoid Ryan getting the other. But, Moycarkey Borris had been tagging on points of their own in the form of Rhys Shelly, the excellent Kyle Shelly (3) and Max Hackett to leave them with a 1-8 to 0-8 interval advantage.
It had been a fine first half contest with very little between the sides. And, it would continue in the same manner in the second half with the silverware very much in the melting pot until right till the very death. Even with four minutes of additional time played, nobody was leaving this game before the final whistle.
Cappa Gaels struck first blood after the break with another pointed free from William Barry – a score canceled by a great score from Rory Darmody almost immediately. Centre forward Ciaran Doody had another for Cappa Gaels, but a super exchange of passes between Kyle and Rhys Shelly in the 7th minute resulted in the former blasting a fine goal to extend the Moycarkey Borris lead to five points once more.
This was a real setback to the west champions but they were not about to sit on their hands and curse their misfortune. Instead they hit back with a William Barry free at the end of the third quarter. Moycarkey Borris had been threatening a second goal before Shelly's effort, and they could have had a third when Darren Flood was denied by keeper Anthony Barry. Two other goal chances led to pointed frees from Jack Fallon and Rhys Shelly, and with two goals in it, with seven minutes remaining, it seemed as though the Cappa Gaels race was run.
But, true to form, they found someting again and Ryan Renehan's goal from a free brought it back to a one score game. Colm O'Dwyer had the deficit down to two points – a dangerous lead, but Rhys Shelly bagged another pointed free to ensure that Moycarkey Borris would not be beaten, if their opponents managed to get a goal. They nearly did that too in the 32nd minute when a Renehan ground effort whipped past the upright, but at the wrong side.
Cappa Gaels threw everything into the final moments to try and snatch a draw, but Bill Maher won vital ball for Moycarkey Borris in the dying embers of this game, to quench the westerners resolve.
The Moycarkey Borris supporters were delerious with joy when the final whistle sounded. The pain of defeat from a year previously was forgotten as they celebrated with their heroes on the pitch afterwards. This fine team had answered all the questions asked of them during the course of the campaign and in the ultimate game, they had the composure and resolve to see out the contest with their noses in front.
While the Shelly's, Rhys and Kyle, were star performers all the way through for them, mention must be made of Max Hackett, Jack Fallon, Jack Morrissey, Bill Maher, Kevin Hayes. John Kirwin and Peter Melbourne who shone at different stages of the game. This well drilled side hurled with real purpose and the experience of last year was definitely a factor in their remaining cool, calm and collected when the flames were being fanned by the Cappa Gaels lads.
A tremendous victory, the parish of Moycarkey Borris will be hoping that this minor victory, which is really a major one for the club, can inspire their seniors to pursue further glory in the Seamus O'Riain Cup final on Sunday afternoon next in Semple Stadium.
There was not a lot more Cappa Gaels could have done to reverse the result of this game. They tried everything in their power, but they just had to give best in the final moments despite the efforts of William Barry, Ryan Renehan, Ciaran Doody, Philip Gantley and Brendan Murphy. Considering the make-up of their team, they would probably have preferred a dry sod for this final, but the same could be argued of Moycarkey Borris too. While they didn't manage to win the game, Cappawhite Gaels certainly won a lot of admirers for their efforts in this Tipperary Water minor A decider.

Teams and Scorers:
Moycarkey Borris: Ciaran Kirwin, Kyle Ryan, John Kirwin, Peter Melbourne, Tom Ryan, Kevin Hayes, Rory Darmody 0-1, Max Hackett 0-1, Jack Morrissey, Kyle Shelly 1-4, Bill Maher, Rhys Shelly 0-4, James Dillon, Darren Flood, Jack Fallon 1-1.
Cappawhite Gaels: Anthony Barry, Patrick Barry, Philip Gantley, Seamus Burns, Gearoid Ryan, Ryan Renehan 1-0, Mikey O'Brien, Cian Ryan, Colm O'Dwyer 0-1, William Barry 0-9, Ciaran Doody 0-1, Brendan Murphy, Dara McCarthy, Fionn Brady, Fraser Allen. Subs used: Aaron Ryan, Mikey Carmody, Daniel Clancy and Gearoid Lennon.
Referee: Peter Carroll.