James Stephens 1-16; Tullogher Rosbercon 1-8.
John Power at Mullinavat GAA Grounds
James Stephens advanced to the JJ Kavanagh Junior B County Hurling Final with a convincing eight-point victory over Tullogher Rosbercon at well attended Mullinavat. Having defeated Danesfort and Conahy Shamrocks in earlier rounds, the Village boys grabbed a vital goal in the opening three minutes of this contest and were never led thereafter.
Following an early 1-1 by James Stephens, Tullogher Rosbercon opened their account with a Brian Walsh free in the ninth minute. However, the next five points were all for the Village men as they extended their advantage to lead 1-6 to 0-1 by the 20th minute. At the interval they were still six points clear, 1-7 to 0-4.
Midway through the second half James Stephens kept their momentum, and with veteran former inter county man Jackie Tyrrell organising the defence, there was little sign of a much-needed Tullogher Rosbercon goal. When Tyrell pointed a 130-yard free for James Stephens in the 46th minute they led 1-12 to 0-7.
David Walton had also knocked over some frees from closer range to keep the Village scoreboard ticking over. Tullogher Rosbercon did finally grab a goal from Kevin Aylward, this in the final minute of normal time, after clever work from substitute Dean Kinsella, but this came too late in the day for the Southern side.
The Village boys will now advance to play Fenians of Johnstown in the Junior B County final, where they chase a league and championship double, having already beaten Danesfort in the league final.
TEAMS
JAMES STEPHENS
Padraig Joyce, James Tyrell, Luke Hickey, Billy Wall Young, Jack McGrath, Jackie Tyrell, Adam Butler, Conor Millea, Ross Whelan, David Walton, Bill Whelan, Matthew McWey, Zac Scanlon, Eoin Larkin, Allen Corr Larkin. Rest of Panel – James Walton, Dara Behan, James Bergin, Ethan Butler, Fionn Cody, Rory Glynn, Conor Heffernan, Tuan Hyland, Patrick Lacey, Bill McDermott, Conor McEvoy, Cathal Mulhall, Andy Parsons, Jamie Peters, Larry Phelan, Daniel Power, Darragh Power, Stephen Power-Kellety,
TULLOGHER ROSBERCON
Eoin Ryan, Johnny Murphy, Pat Hartley, David Kennedy, Niall Cummins, Donnacha O’Connor, JJ Ryan, Kevin Hennessy, Ciaran Cummins, Kevin Aylward, Simon Kennedy, Michael Sidney, Sean Hanrahan, Brian Walsh, James Cummins. Rest of Panel – Dean Kinsella, Joe Malone, Billy Ryan, Conor Ryan, Tony Conway, Ronan Moore, Sam Ryan, Jamie Power, Cian O’Donoghue, Terence Croke, Fergal O’Shea, James Mangan.
Referee: Eoin Maher (Mullinavat)
