Deserved win for Holycross/Ballycahill in Tipperary County Hurling League Division 2 final

Holycross/Ballycahill 1-19 Eire Óg Annacarty/Donohill 0-16

Two clubs with different trajectories – a youthful Holycross/Ballycahill with higher ambitions were full value for their six points win over an experienced Eire Óg Annacarty/Donohill team in the final of the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling League Division 2 final at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday.

Adding to the merit of the Holycross win is that it was achieved without the services of their county men Cathal Barrett and Bryan O’Mara. So the omens are good for the mid Tipp side facing into the divisional and county championships in a few weeks time, while building on the underage successes of recent times.

In a contest of modest enough quality, Holycross were always in control but never to the extent that Eire Óg could not undo them if they got a goal.

However, there was never a threat of a green flag for the west team, whose attack was given little scope by a tight-marking Holycross defence.

With the breeze behind them, Holycross got down to business quickly and with the Woods, Darragh and Jamie, Joe Caesar, Jack Dwan and Luke O’Mara all on target they pushed 0-7 to 0-4 clear of their rivals after 19 minutes, with all the Eire Óg scores coming from Seanie Ryan, three from frees.

And so it continued to the break, Dinny Crosse the only other Annacarty player to score as Holycross established a 0-11 to 0-7 advantage by the interval, their last point a fine long range effort by goalie Ewan Bourke from a free.

Eire Óg had some work to do, but three wides in the opening minutes of the second half did not help their cause. They had increased the tempo of their game and it saw them outpoint their rivals six to one in the third quarter to hit the front by 0-13 to 0-12.

Donal O’ Dwyer (two), Darragh Kelly, Paul Downey, Seanie Ryan, and Kevin Fox, who came on at half-time, were the marksmen.

Holycross’ response was impressive, as they reclaimed the lead with efforts from Darragh Woods (two frees), Ben Hennessy and Jack Dwan.

But the crucial score came in the 53rd minute when Jack Dwan netted after good work by Aidan Stakelum for a 1-16 to 0-14 lead.

The ball was in Holycross’ court and they were not going to pass up the chance of a senior title, as they finished with a flourish to capture the county league title for the first time.

This is a victory that should boost Holycross’ confidence facing into the championship in a few weeks time. The return of Bryan O’Mara and Cathal Barrett will add substance to their challenge. Darragh Woods’ accuracy from frees was a big help in this win, as were the fine performances of Jack Dwan, Jamie Woods, Jack Ryan, Shane Ryan, Eoin Craddock and Joe Caesar.

This was Eire Óg’s second successive defeat in the final but they can have no complaints about the outcome.

Holycross were the better team on the day but Eire Óg will take heart from a fine league campaign that will set them up nicely for the forthcoming west and county championships.

This is a very experienced outfit with such as Conor O’ Brien, Tom Fox, Dinny Crosse and Donal O’Dwyer still key men. David Fox, Darragh Kelly, Paudie Bradshaw and Paul Downey also contributed well to the team effort.

Holycross/Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke (0-1 free); Gavin Dunne, Conor Ryan, Jimmy Ryan; Jack Ryan, Mickey Doyle, Eoin Craddock; Tadhg Gould, Shane Ryan; Jamie Woods (0-2), Luke O’Mara (0-2), Eanna Ryan; Darragh Woods (0-8,5 frees), Joe Caesar (0-3), Jack Dwan (1-2).

Subs: Ben Hennessy (0-1) for E Ryan (46 mins), Aidan Stakelum for Gould (49 mins), Jamie Lee Dwan for O’Mara (63 mins).

Eire Óg Annacarty/Donohill: Darragh Mooney; Darragh O’Brien, Conor O’Brien (0-1), David Fox; Paul Downey (0-1), Tom Fox, Daniel Kelly; Connie Bradshaw, Paudie Bradshaw; Eoin Bradshaw, Brian Fox, Donal O’ Dwyer (0-2); Seanie Ryan (0-7, 5 frees), Dinny Crosse (0-2), Darragh Kelly (0-2).

Subs: Kevin Fox (0-1) for C Bradshaw (half-time), Michael Bradshaw for Crosse (58 mins).

Referee: Johnny Butler, Upperchurch/Drombane.