Tirlan (Kilkenny) 3-14 (23); Suir Engineering (Waterford) 1-18 (21).
John Power at Mullinavat GAA Grounds
Tirlan of Kilkenny came out on top following a decisive final quarter in this highly competitive All Ireland Inter Firm Senior Hurling Semi- Final, under the lights at Mullinavat. There was plenty of Kilkenny club involvement on both sides, in this long-held competition, where Tirlan advanced to the final.
Five points from Mullinavat’s John Walsh (3 frees) and three scores from Mooncoin’s Paul Hennebry, were the main reason for a Suir Engineering four-point interval lead.Three first half points from centre forward Michael Kenny of Lisdowney and a Fintan Mullins goal had helped keep Tirlan in touch.
At the interval Suir Engineering led 0-13 to 1-6. Tirlan started the new half with an unanswered goal and a point to level matters, Michael Kenny was the goalscorer. Suir Engineering lost their midfield dominance in the second half, some fouls were committed, all punished by Tirlan’s Stephen Manogue of James Stephens, who was almost flawless from placed balls.
A fine goal by Suir Engineering forward Ryan Murphy of Galmoy, after being set up by Aaron Dunne of Carrick Swans, restored the Waterford sides lead, leaving them three points clear 1-16 to 2-10, with the game entering the final ten minutes. However, a strong finish saw the Kilkenny side, where they outscore their opponents 1-4 to 0-2, helped by a fine individual goal from Sean Hunt of St Matins, when he ran onto a breaking ball, and finished to the net, saw them through to the final.
As already mentioned, Tirlan will now meet Waterford and Wexford ETB, their Leinster final conquerors in the final. Waterford and Wexford ETB are completing their first season in the Inter-Firm GAA competition, and defeated Tirlán in a close encounter, 1-16 to 0-17, at Tinryland, in that game a few months back.
SCORERS
Tirlan, Stephen Minogue (0-6, 5 frees), Michael Kenny (1-3), Fintan Mullins (1-0), Shane Hunt. (1-0), Willie Phelan (0-2), Shane Kinsella (0-2), Tommy Maher (0-1). Suir Engineering John Walsh (0-8, 6 frees), Ryan Murphy (1-1), Paul Hennebry. 0-3), Darragh Hartley (0-3), Charlie Phelan (0-1), Aaron Dunne (0-1), Ciaran O’Dwyer (0-1)
TEAMS:
Tirlan. Sean Fitzpatrick (Mullinavat), Simon Aylward (Mullinavat), Tom Aylward (Mullinavat), Eoin Simms (Ballinakill), Brian Staunton (Thomastown), Shane Ryan (Rower Inistioge), Willie Phelan (Windgap), Billy O’Neill (Graigue Ballycallan), Luke Scanlon (James Stephens), Tommy Maher (Loughmore Castleinney), Michael Kenny (Lisdowney), Shane Kinsella (St Martins), Stephen Minogue (James Stephens), Fintan Mullins (Our Lady’s Island), Sean Hunt (St Martins). Substitutes: Nick Doheny (Dicksboro), Fergal Suffin (Kilmacow)
Suir Engineering. David O’Brien (Tramore), Craig O’Keeffe Ballygunner), Seamus Farrell (Young Ireland’s), Niall Rowe (Dicksboro), Dara Mason (Shamrocks Ballyhale) , Pat Hartley (Tullogher Rosbercon), Ciaran O’Dwyer (Killenaule), Paul Hennebry (Mooncoin), Darragh Hartley (Glenmore), Ryan Murphy (Galmoy) , Enda Heffernan (Clonoulty Rosmore), Tomas Mullally (Glenmore), Charlie Phelan (Glenmore), Aaron Dunne (Carrick Swans)), John Walsh (Mullinavat). Substitutes. Caoilin Kelly (Kilmacow), Ciaran Vereker (Glenmore), Conor Broohy (Erins Own), Conor Tobin (James Stephens), Darragh Bergin (John Lockes), Darragh Dunne (Carrick Swans), James Carmody (Clonlara), Luke O’Brien (Ballybacon Grange), Mark Gunner (Conahy Shamrocks), Miley O’Brien (Stradbally), Ryan Carroll (Mooncoin), Sean Deely (James Stephens)
Referee: Jimmy Heavey.
