Ryan’s cracking strike drives Templemore on
Templemore came from a point down at half-time, 0-5 to 0-6, to run out comfortable winners at Leahy Park, as Clonmel bowed out of the competition following the winner-takes-all fixture.
Templemore made full use of the breeze at their backs in the second-half against a Clonmel side that had registered 10 wides before the break. And while Templemore had six wides of their own after half-time, they also outscored their opponents 1-10 to 0-3 in a second period that became most one-sided.
Dual player Colin O’Riordan, invited by Tipperary senior hurling manager Eamon O’Shea to link up with an extended winter training squad, thundered into the game at midfield, while Brian McGrath, younger brother of Premier County star Noel, lofted over three 65s. But the killer score arrived midway through the second-half when full-forward John Joe Ryan brilliantly fetched a long free and sent a shot past Stephen Ryan for the only goal of the game. O’Riordan and impressive corner-forward Dylan Moloney had other goal chances in the second-half but Clonmel netminder Ryan pulled off decent saves. Ryan also did well in the first-half to divert a rasping effort from goalscorer Ryan over the crossbar, with Clonmel corner-forward Mike Hogan going closest to raising a green flag for his side.
Clonmel, with Brendan Martin and Danny Owens prominent early on, led by two points on four occasions in the first half.
The sides were deadlocked three times early in the second half before Templemore pulled away to record a priceless victory in this do-or-die clash.
Scorers for Our Lady’s Templemore: JJ Ryan 1-2, D Moloney 0-3, B McGrath 0-3 65s, T Brett & J Bergin 0-2 each, C O’Riordan, D Carey & B O’Connell 0-1 each.
Scorers for CBS High School, Clonmel: P Maher 0-3f, B Martin & R Peters 0-2 each, L Boland & D Owens 0-1 each.
D O’Shea; E Moloney, P Hogan, K Aherne; T Brett, B McGrath, K Hassett; C O’Riordan, J Bergin; J Moloney, D Carey, T Nolan; D Moloney, JJ Ryan, B O’Connell.
Sub: S Nolan for Moloney (43).
S Ryan; E Walsh, J Guiry, K Peters; S Lonergan, P Maher, L Ryan; R Dunne, D Brennan; L Boland, R Peters, B Martin; D Owens, C Gleeson, M Hogan.
Sub: R McMorrow for Brennan (51).
Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla Kickhams).
