Holycross Balycahill continue their dominance of Mid Tipp with U21 triumph over Sarsfields

Revel at The Ragg Mid U21A Hurling Championship Final

Holycross Ballycahill 2-21

Thurles Sarsfields 0-13

County champions Holycross Ballycahill retained their Revel at the Ragg sponsored Mid U21A hurling title in emphatic style at Fethard Park on Sunday, where they proved much too strong for a Thurles Sarsfields side that fell away after a decent start.

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With eleven of last year’s squad eligible, and almost half the team established seniors, this is an exceptionally talented Holycross Ballycahill outfit that has dominated their age group right through the various grades. On the evidence of this showing, back-to-back county titles look on the cards.

Originally fixed for Littleton but switched to the impressive Fethard facility when the Mid venue was declared unplayable, expectations of a tightly contested encounter were well off the mark as Holycross outplayed their rivals to a surprising extent. 

A physically stronger Holycross backline never allowed the Sarsfields forwards settle on the ball and at the other end, Holycross had the quality in attack to exploit the generous possession they enjoyed.

For the last few years Sarsfields have been Holycross’ main adversaries in under age hurling but the abbeysiders have had the upper hand generally. 

However, not to the extent of Sunday’s win, and this success was all the more significant given that they were without Jim Ryan, while Tony Maher and Jack Lahart were unable to start but came on later to play their part.

Sarsfields started well, three Tommy Maher points and another from Kieran Rossiter giving them a 0-4 to 0-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, Tiernan Ryan and Eoin Craddock the Holycross marksmen. 

Then Holycross got into stride to hit the next eight scores without reply, the most vital of which was Eoghan Hickey’s goal after nineteen minutes from a Robbie Ryan pass. Holycross were in full flight, and Sarsfields were stretched beyond their limits to curtail them.

The interval arrived with Holycross ahead 1-10 to 0-5, and on the evidence of the second quarter, there was only going to be one result. 

Though Cillian Minogue and Tommy Maher had early second-half points for the challengers, Holycross quickly reasserted themselves. Robbie Ryan’s goal after five minutes, shaking off a couple of tackles on the way, put them in an unassailable position at 2-11 to 0-7.

What followed was Holycross enjoying total control despite the best efforts of the Sarsfields contingent and with the outcome well decided, managements began emptying their benches to see out time.

This was a really impressive showing by Holycross Ballycahill, who face Golden Kilfeacle in the county semi-final this coming weekend. The champions have it everywhere, physical strength and buckets of hurling ability. 

In this encounter, Robbie Ryan was their star turn, scoring 1-3 of his 1-7 tally from play and setting up many other scores. He was by no means alone. Team captain Tadhg Gould marshalled the defence with aplomb, with Evan Morris and Daire Ryan also excelling. 

Tiernan Ryan’s four points from midfield speak for themselves, while Eoin Craddock’s work leading the attack contributed heavily to their overall performance. Audie Lohan also contributed handsomely to the win.

Sarsfields will be disappointed with their performance. Apart from the early minutes, they were struggling all the way, lacking the physicality in most sectors to compete with their opposite numbers. Keith Loughnane did his utmost in defence to stem the tide, with Euan Murray coming strongly into the game in the latter stages. 

Aidan Stakelum worked very hard throughout but in a subdued attack, only Tommy Maher and Cillian Minogue presented any threat to the winners’ backline.

Scorers: Holycross Ballycahill: Robbie Ryan (1-7, 0-4f), Tiarnan Ryan, Audie Lohan 0-4 each, Eoghan Hickey 1-1, Eoin Craddock, Jimmie Lahart 0-2 each, Sean Ryan 0-1.

Thurles Sarsfields: Tony Maher (0-5, 0-1f), Cillian Minogue (0-4, 0-1f), Kieran Rossiter, Leelan Donoghue 0-2 each.

Holycross Ballycahill: James O’Dwyer; Cathal O’Reilly, Evan Morris, Sean McGrath; Daire Ryan, Tadhg Gould, Liam Doyle; Tiarnan Ryan, James Doyle; Eoghan Hickey, Eoin Craddock, Robbie Ryan; Sean Ryan, Jimmie Lahart, Audie Lohan.

Subs used: Tony Maher for S Ryan (43); Jack Lahart for Hickey (50); Cian Ryan for D Ryan (56); Tadhg Ryan for T Ryan (57); Jake Galvin for R Ryan (59).

Thurles Sarsfields: Michael McCormack; Philly Hayes, Keith Loughnane, Fionn Fogarty; Kieran Rossiter, Euan Murray, Stephen Dwan; Daniel Rossiter, Robbie Stapleton; Darragh Minogue, Aidan Stakelum, Tommy Maher; Cillian Minogue, Leelan Donoghue, Alex Coppinger.

Subs used: Ronan O’Brien for Coppinger (HT); Paul Noonan for Stapleton (42); Bill Fogarty for D Minogue (42); Ciaran Woodlock for Dwan (50); Evan Nolan for Hayes (57).

Referee: Johnny Butler (Upperchurch Drombane)

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