A wonderful two-goal salvo just before half time helped Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry collect their first county minor A title last weekend against Athenry in Pearse Stadium on a score-line of 2-15 to 1-14.
Those goals helped the winners to an eight-point lead at the interval and left Athenry with a mountain to climb in the second period.
Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry were powered by their three county minors Paul Killeen, Padraig Breheny and Shane Moloney, although it was a terrific team performance that won the day.
All three players won All-Ireland minor medals in September and have played regularly at senior level with their club. Their experience, power and skill was crucial last Sunday.
Moloney hit 0-9 (0-7 frees ) from centre-forward, with Breheny notching two important points from play in the second half.
Their first goal came from young Niall Maloney, while full-forward Brian Fahy hit the second just before half time which left Athenry rocked to the core. It was 2-8 to 0-6 at half time and Tom Breheny’s men were in the driving seat.
To their credit Athenry, managed by Eugene Cloonan, worked hard to get back into the game and they received a glimmer of hope when corner forward Michael Mullins struck a goal in the second half before county player and team captain Jack Carr narrowed the margin to six points. However Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry quelled their comeback with a few more white flags and the TAD team did enough to close out the game and send the club into raptures of delight.
Athenry had good displays from Aaron Van Niekerk, Cathal Keane and Jack Carr. They have won the county minor title on 10 occasions, the last one in 2010, and few would begrudge the Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry youngsters their first.
Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry scorers: Shane Maloney 0-9 (0-7 frees ), Niall Maloney 1-1, Brian Fahy 1-0, Padraig Breheny 0-2, Kevin Farragher 0-2, Jamie Blake 0-1.
Athenry scorers: Cathal Keane 0-5 (0-2 frees ), Michael Mullins 1-1, Aiden Higgins 0-3 frees, Jack Carr 0-3, Aaron Van Nierkerk 0-2.
