Holycross Ballycahill have no problems in dispatching Borris-Ileigh in semi clash

FBD Insurance  U21A  Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Holycross Ballycahill 0-22

Borris-Ileigh 2-9

By Michael Dundon

Mid champions Holycross Ballycahill were not flattered by their seven points-winning margin over Borris-Ileigh in an  FBD Insurance county U21A hurling semi-final at The Ragg on Saturday that fell below expectations as a contest due to the dominance of the winners.

Holycross-Ballycahill have become a mighty force in underage hurling in the county with three U19 titles on the trot and they also featured in the U17 final this year. 

That form entitles them to be hot favourites when they meet Clonoulty Rossmore in the U21 final next weekend.

Borris’ north victory was impressive but they were no match for Holycross Ballycahill. Both their goals came in the closing minutes, too late to make any significant impact, and at a time when Holycross mentors had withdrawn some key players who have mid-week college engagements this week.

From the word go, and with county manager Brendan Cummins keeping a watching brief, Holycross stamped their authority on the game. They tied up Borris dangermen in attack, Paddy McCormack and Eddie Ryan, and while their own scorer-in-chief, Robbie Ryan, was kept on a tight leash, Holycross had enough back-up to pull steadily clear on their opponents in very trying conditions.

Borris failed to score from play in the first half, all their five points coming from Eddie Ryan frees. In contrast, only three of  Holycross’ twelve points were from placed balls, two long-range efforts from Jim Ryan, and the other from Robbie  Ryan. 

Holycross were quickly into stride, James Doyle, Tadhg Gould, Joe Caesar and Jim Ryan from a free putting them four points ahead after eight minutes. 

Eddie Ryan’s pointed free in the ninth minute was Borris’ first score, but Holycross with Tadhg Gould, James Doyle, and Robbie Ryan on target established a 0-12 to 0-5 lead by half-time, not an unbridgeable gap, considering they had the help of the elements, but a sizeable one none the less in the prevailing conditions.

Borris needed to raise their game considerably in the second half if they were to make up the leeway but it was Holycross who continued to dominate and by the end of the third quarter they had extended their advantage to 0-17 to 0-6. Eoin Boyle’s point for Borris after forty minutes was their first from play in the game.

With ten minutes to go Holycross were 0-20 to 0-6 ahead and their place in the final secure but Borris stuck to their guns and Eoin Boyle’s goal after 55 minutes left them 0-20 to 1-8 adrift. Holycross quickly countered with points from Jim Ryan (free), Jake Galvin and David Fogarty. 

Borris’ second goal came from Eddie Ryan when his blast for the net off a close-in free was beaten out but he got on the end of the rebound to rifle home.

Holycross’ clash with neighbours Clonoulty Rossmore in the final promises to be a mouth-watering encounter but it is going to take a very good side to stop Holycross from adding to their list of underage successes. More than half this team are already in their senior side and if they maintain the progress they have been making, then glory days lie ahead for the club.

A physically strong side, they have lots of hurling and also have leaders on the field that produce the goods consistently. Tadhg Gould had a great outing here with four points from play from midfield but Joe Caesar, Evan Morris, Cathal O’Reilly, James Doyle, Robbie Ryan, and the hard-working Eoin Craddock all contributed big-time to this win.

Borris never reached their north final form and can have no complaint about the result. They struggled from start to finish, their attack in particular making little headway against a tight Holycross defence. With key attackers Eddie Ryan and Paddy McCormack closely policed, scores were had to come by, Eoin Boyle offering most in that regard. 

Tom Delaney, Colm Boyle, Mikey Kennedy, and goalkeeper Archie Devaney did their utmost to tip the scales in their favour but they were losing too many battles right around the field to unsettle their opponents. That said, a north title is a considerable consolation for what has been a good campaign by the Borris boys.

Holycross Ballycahill: James O’Dwyer; Cathal O’Reilly, Evan Morris, Jack Lahart; Sean McGrath, Joe Caesar (0-2), Jim Ryan (0-4f); Liam Doyle (0-1), Tadhg Gould (0-4); Eoin Craddock, Robbie Ryan (0-4, 0-1f), David Fogarty (0-2); Jimmy Lahart, James Doyle (0-3), Tiarnan Ryan (0-1).

Subs used: Tony Maher for Jack Lahart (36); Sean Ryan for R Ryan (45); Audie Lohan for Caesar (50); Cian Ryan for T Ryan (55); Jake Galvin(0-1) for Craddock (56).

Borris-Ileigh: Archie Devaney; Patrick Ryan, Colm Boyle, Eamon Groome; Harry Gould, Tom Delaney, Lar Stapleton; Cian Murphy, Mikey Kennedy; Darragh Chute, Eddie Ryan (1-7, 0-5f), Eoin Boyle (1-2); Paddy Brett, Paddy McCormack, Razuk Atik.

Subs used: Conor Murray for Atik (15); Donncha Ryan for Gould (45); Aaron Ryan for Brett (53); Pierce  Ivors for E Boyle (55).

Referee: Nigel Carrigan (Ballybacon Grange)