NEWPORT GAELS EASE TO U16 'A' GLORY

Newport Gaels 2-08
Kilruane McDonagh's 0-03

by Kieren Mullarkey in Dolla.

Newport Gaels landed the North Tipperary U16 'A' Football title after overcoming a dogged Kilruane side, in testing conditions, on Thursday evening.

TheNewport/Ballinahinchcombination had the benefit of a cutting wind at their backs for the opening half but an inability to convert their chances kept the contest alive right up until the final quarter. They had however made the perfect start when a quick free by Keith Mawdsley caught the Kilruane defence napping and allowed Kevin Connolly to fire low to the net. Mawdsley soon added a point as favourites Newport Gaels dominated possession with Kilruane struggling to cross half way.

Kilruane battled manfully with Cian Darcy, Brendan McAdams and Kieran Brereton to the fore but it was their goalkeeper Kevin Shinnors that kept them in it with two brilliant saves from Cian Flanagan and Kevin Connolly before the quarter hour. Anxiety began to creep into Newport with only two scores a poor return such was the strength of the wind.

Eventually their greater ease on the ball and combination play yielded two well-taken points from Kealon Flyod and Jack Delahunty whilst the pace of Daniel Carew at corner forward was a constant threat.
A super ball from Cian Flanagan split the Kilruane defence but again Kevin Shinnors came to his side's rescue with a third top drawer save to deny Keith Mawdsley.

In attack Kilruane were limited to the odd Cian Darcy free and he finally found the range on 20 minutes after a foul on himself by Newport's Sean Moloney, which earned him a yellow card in the process.
Newport's best move of the half saw Kevin Connolly release Daniel Carew and as he bore down on the Kilruane goal he was crudely tripped by Kieran Brereton with Keith Mawdsey converting the penalty to open up an eightpoint lead. Carew was rewarded for his industry with a neat right footed point on the stroke of half time

On the resumption Kilruane, now assisted by rising wind, dominated territory and possession with Cormac Mannion,JamesClearyandCianDarcy seeing plenty of ball but a lack of composure in front of goal undermined their hard work. In their best play of the game Tom Dooley and Mannion combined before James Cleary found the target. Now with their tails up Cian Darcy spurned a golden goal chance after a long delivery from Brendan McAdam deceived Newport full back Conor Hickey. Moments later Jerome Cahill saw his effort at goal deflected out for a 45 which Cian Darcy expertly converted and reduced the deficit to seven with twenty minutes remaining.

This was as close as it would get as Kilruane would fail to find the target for the remainder and Newport closed out the contest in less than convincing fashion. Shinnors in the Kilruane goal produced another fine save off Keith Mawdsley but three pointed frees from Mawdsley and Kealon Floyd (two) along with a well-taken point from the impressive Kevin Connolly ensured the spoils for the Mulcair lads.

Newport Gaels - North Tipperary Under 16 'A' Football champions. PHOTO: BRIDGET DELANEY

Scorers: Newport Gaels: K. Mawdsley 1-02 (1-0pen, 0-1free), K. Connolly 1-1, K FLoyd 0-3 (2f), J. Delahunty, D. Carew 0-1.

Team: Michael Gorman, Sean Moloney, Conor Hickey, Paul Hogan; James O'Toole, Cian Flanagan, Harry Sheehy, Brendan Tormey, Corie Mooney, Kevin Connolly, KEalan Floyd, Keith Mawdsley; Colin Floyd, Jack Delahunty, Daniel Carew. Subs: Dan Delaney for Hickey (inj), Ross HEaly for C.Floyd.