South Antrim U12 ‘Nipper Quinn’ Hurling Championship
Venue: Rossa Park, Shaws road, West Belfast
Sunday 6th October 2019
Naomh Eoin 5 – 2 Davitts 3 – 5
On Sunday morning the sun shone on the glistening green grass at Rossa park, as the anticipation built towards the final of the South Antrim U12 Hurling championship, named in honour of Rossa legend ‘Nipper Quinn’. Nipper was central to the establishment of juvenile Hurling in Belfast. He organised regular Hurling along district lines and many of the city’s clubs sponsored those districts, with players going on to play for these clubs.
Much credit to the Jerimiah’s on having the grounds and the pitch in particular, in such fine order for the most important day of the year for the U12 Hurling calendar.
Naomh Eoin were back in the final after a few year’s absence, whereas Davitt’s were entering their fourth Nipper Quinn final in a row – a great testament to the club in itself. The crowd filled up early and provided great colour and noise throughout the game, which couldn’t have been played in better conditions – providing the perfect platform for a great game. Referee Mark McDonald called the captain’s in to take the toss just before throw in, Fintan McKinney from Naomh Eoin and Sean Smith from Davitt’s had the honour today. After the coaches final words in the respective huddles the teams lined out and the game began. Davitt’s stormed to an early three point lead through the deadly accuracy of towering centre half back Aaron Tierney who pointed from two placed balls and the dynamic Sean Smith who scored from open play. It took a while before the young Johnnies woke up and made their first mark on the scoresheet. It started with a mistake from a scoreable free from Naomh Eoin Centre half forward Lorcan McCallin. A mishap during the lift led Lorcan to pull on the ball on the ground which was subsequently held up in the Davitt’s defence in a ruck of players from both teams. Somehow Lorcan emerged with the ball and drove from distance directly to the roof of the Davitt’s net to the cheers of the Johnnies support – game on. Davitt’s pointed quickly in response, again through Tierney before Lorcan and his cousin Fionn McCallin raised the green flag after some tenacious tackling and tremendous teamwork from the young men from up the Whiterock road. Fintan McKinney and Naomh Eoin’s own ‘Tower’ Corey Darragh worked tirelessly to repel the Davitts offence, setting up play after play for the Johnnies forwards. Midfield maestro Fionn McCallin worked his guts off in the first half and popped over a point for Naomh Eoin which Davitts full forward Kevin Gorman cancelled out with a placed ball of his own to leave the half time score at: Naomh Eoin 3 – 1 Davitt’s 0 – 5.
Paddy Quinjn, son of Nipper Quinn presents the Nipper Quinn Shield to St. John’s joint captains
Davitt’s took to the dressing room at half time while Naomh Eoin stayed on the field to recover and reset for the second half to come. Whatever was said in the dressing room seemed to work wonders as the Davitts lads came out firing on all cylinders, winning the ball direct from the throw in and immediately firing a bomb into the Johnnies goal directly from the hurl of Aaron Tierney – game on (again). The tension in the ground was palpable at this stage as the supporters in Green and Yellow cheered their young men on. St John’s to their credit fought hard to get a grip on the game and Tomás Adams, playing in the half forward line for the Johnnies started to find his feet and provide some brilliant passes and plays into the Davitt’s defence. This hard work and selflessness payed off as he hit the back of the Davitts net after some neat inter play between him and Conlaoch Cunningham saw Tomás finish in style leaving Davitts goalkeeper Míchéal Kennedy with no chance to react in time. Davitt’s bounced back immediately and pinned the johnnies back through a well worked goal of their own by Sean Smith who finished decisively past Johnnies shot stopper Odhrán Quinn. Quinn’s quick thinking and accurate puckout then led to a Johnnies attack set up by Fionn McCallin which was thwarted by a foul just short of the Davitts goal. Fionn didn’t think twice before rifling the resulting free to the roof of the Davitts net, which Míchéal Kennedy tried to stop and got injured in the process. Like a true warrior, he recovered to take the puckout to set up the next Davitts attack. At this stage Corey Darragh began to sweep up in midfield to repel attack after attack from Davitt’s. Cormac Mulligan, Reuben Rogan and Aidan Downey continued to test the Johnnies defence, which paid off when Padraig Walsh finished to the Johnnies net after reacting quickly to a great save from Odhrán Quinn. St John’s responded when Fintan McKinney gave a perfect pass from a placed ball which Lorcan McCallin plucked and struck over the bar leaving three between the teams with injury time remaining. The Johnnies could have been further in front had full forward Caolan Wilson’s rasper of a shot not have rebounded off the crossbar as the game came to the closing seconds. Alex Robb also went agonisingly close when in on the Davitt’s goal only for the sliotar to hit the side netting. The referee’s final whistle was met with joy and celebrations from St John’s as they celebrated their first Nipper Quinn title since 2010. Davitt’s were obviously disappointed with the result but they were gracious in defeat and were a credit to their mentors, club and families. The same can be said for both teams and sets of supporters as the game flowed without a bad tackle (Credit the coaches), bad word to the referee (credit the players) or a negative comment from the hill (credit the supporters).
The presentation was given by Paddy Quinn, son of Nipper who spoke brilliantly on the legacy his father has left for juvenile Hurling with this competition running annually since 1976. Many thanks to him and his family for continuing this great initiative, to Rossa for the generous hospitality to all players, mentors and supporters and to Davitt’s and Naomh Eoin for such a wonderful display of Hurling in the city. Mol an Óige agus tiocfaidh sí!
Naomh Eoin: Ódhrán Quinn, Daniel Kelly, James McNally, Rory Gannon, Fintan McKinney, Darragh Cunningham, Corey Darragh, Fionn McCallin (2 – 1 (1-1f) ), Conlaoch Cunningham, Lorcan McCallin (2 – 1), Tomás Adams (1 -0), Alex Robb, Caolan Wilson (Fionn Thompson 2nd half). Caolan McCallin, Daire Carberry, Eoghan Millar, Ethan McCoy, Ronan Laughlin, Lewis Rafferty, Brian Gough.
Davitt’s: Míchéal Kennedy, Conor Maguire, AJ Mathers, Aaron Tierney (1 – 3 (0 – 2f)),Michael Jones, Cormac Mulligan, Sean Smith (1 -1), Eamon Toner, Ruben Rogan, Aidan Downey, Kevin Gorman (0 – 1f), Daire Meleady, Padraig walsh (1 -0)
Referee Mark McDonald with team captains before the game
Nipper Quinn B Final – Sarsfields 3-08-2-01 Lamh Dhearg
A dominant first half display saw Sarsfields crowned Nipper Quinn (B) winners in the mornings first final.
Aaron Anderson opened his sides account with an early free before Ben McCaul powerfully shot to the net to give their side a 1-01-0-00 lead.
Anderson (free) doubled his account and a third converted free – this time from Darren Delander, extended Sarsfields advantage.
Delander would convert two further placed balls and Anderson matched his team mates 0-03 tally with another in-between.
Sarsfields claimed a second goal before the break as Aaron Anderson’s high ball into the area was floated into the net.
Just before the break a fourth free from Darren Delander gave his side a 2-07-0-00 lead at the midway point in proceedings.
Lamh Dhearg began the second period on the front foot – but Conor McConville and Sean Og McLarnon’s best attempts were in vein and despite the red hands dominance it was Sarsfields who added a further goal to their tally.
Four minutes from time the Lamhs got off the mark and claimed a complication goal through Sean Og McLarnon.
McLarnon powerfully rifled to the back of the net from a 21-yard free at the second time of asking, after his initial point was brought back for encroachment.
Sarsfields replied with their final score of the game in the aftermath but Lamh Dhearg finished strongly as Conor McConville’s high ball was flicked to the net by Matthew Murray and Sean Og McLarnon conjured a brilliant score from a tight angle. At the conclusion it was Sarsfields who ran out deserving winners to claim the Nipper Quinn (B).
Nipper Quinn C Final – Rossa 3-06-4-04 Gort na Mona
The best final was arguably kept to last as Gort na Mona struck late in the game to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Rossa made a quick start on home turf and struck the games opening goal through Eoghan Taylor.
Nathan McKenna popped the ball over in response and Gort na Mona hit the front on seven minutes, Ruairi O’Scollain saw his free helped to the net by Odhran Conlon.
Sixty seconds later Aodhan O’Hanlon dropped a high free into the Rossa box and Daire Keenan poked the ball to the back of the net to make it 2-01-1-00.
McKenna (free) increased his sides lead and then added a goal to his two points- converting a 16th minute free.
Lorcan Cordner added a point from a placed ball before the break – but with the last act of the first-half; Rossa gave themselves hope as Liam McEnhill rifled his free to the net to make it 3-03-2-00 at the midway point.
Rossa made a bright start to the second half with the advantage of the wind and pointed through Adam McGaughey.
The hosts were really in business as Daniel McGurk poked the ball to the net to make it 3-03-3-01 and McEnhill converted a free to cut the deficit to the minimum.
Gort na Mona responded through an Aodhan O’Hanlon point but Liam McEnhill gave his side the lead for the second time in proceedings.
Already on 1-01; McEnhill converted four consecutive frees to give his side a 3-06-3-04 lead with a minute of time to play.
Gort na Mona went all out for a late goal and there opportunity would come on the stroke of full-time as they were awarded a 21-yard free.
Rossa packed their penalty area though Lorcan Cordner rifled his free to the net to give the Turf Lodge side a 4-04-3-06 lead. The hosts immediately pushed for a leveller, though time wasn’t on their side and Gort na Mona dramatically claimed victory and the Nipper Quinn C title by the narrowest of margins.
