Eyecatching win for Holycross in first round of Tipperary senior hurling championship

Holycross/Ballycahill 2-25  Toomevara 0-28

Holycross/Ballycahill produced a performance of pace, power and youthful exuberance as they toppled last year’s county final runners-up Toomevara in this County Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship round one game in Borris-Ileigh on Saturday, and in doing so heaped the pressure on the north team.

The Mid side, playing without county Under 20 player Jim Ryan and county senior Bryan O’Mara, were out of the blocks faster and had 1-2 on the board before Toomevara woke up.

Darragh Woods and the impressive Mikie Nally scored points and Joe Caeser dispatched a penalty on four minutes.

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Darragh McCarthy opened his and Toome’s account from a placed ball before the lively Eoin Craddock replied immediately for Holycross. Kevin McCarthy came deep and scored his first point from distance but Craddock got his second in ninety seconds to give the Mid side a 1-4 to 0-02 lead with just five minutes gone.

The next ten minutes saw the sides trade four points each, with Kevin McCarthy (two) and Mikey Nally (two) adding to their totals. Nally in particular was causing lots of trouble for the Toome inside line.

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Holycross dominated the remaining 15 minutes of the half, outscoring their opponents 0-7 to 0-4, with Robbie Ryan getting on an amount of ball and striking three beautiful points from play while Darragh Woods was unerring from placed balls, with four to his name. Jack Delaney had one from play in response, alongside three McCarthy frees, but Holycross led 1-15 to 0-10 at half-time.

Toome started the second half with two changes, with Adam Hall and Mark McCarthy coming into the fray.

Woods and McCarthy traded early frees before Delaney got his second for Toome. Darragh McCarthy scored another from a placed ball but they were dealt another hammer blow when David Fogarty stole in for Holycross’ second major of the game and the lead was out to double digits.

It sparked Toome into life, though, and over the following ten minutes they hit six on the trot though two McCarthy placed balls, Adam Hall, Jack Delaney, Conor O’Meara and Mark McCarthy. David Fogarty and Liam Doyle scored two in a minute to stem the tide for Holycross and Darragh Woods added his second from play to leave them seven to the good, 2-20 to 0-19, with twelve minutes left.

Conor O’Meara was getting on a lot of ball in the full forward line and he added two points from play, while McCarthy had two frees and all of sudden there was only a goal in it. Tensions were high, with much at stake.

McCarthy and Woods traded frees, Mikie Nally added his fourth point before two McCarthy frees had two in it as full-time approached.

Substitute James Doyle struck a lovely point for Holycross before goalkeeper Ewan Bourke landed a huge free to give the Mid side some breathing space. Darragh McCarthy scored his 15th free of the game but James Doyle got his second.

A frustrated Conor O’Meara saw red deep into injury time. Darragh McCarthy then scored his first point from play and 16th in total but it was too little too late for Toomevara.

A poor opening half saw Toome on the back foot. Kevin McCarthy tried hardest to stem the tide for the north side, while Darragh McCarthy was well marshalled by the Holycross defence and always had a covering defender in his path. Conor O’Meara was a lively substitute but his dismissal could prove costly, while Adam Hall and Jack Delaney had their moments.

For Holycross, goalkeeper Ewan Bourke was impressive between the sticks while Cathal Barrett and Cathal O’Reilly shone in defence. Upfront, Darragh Woods was excellent throughout while Robbie Ryan and Eoin Craddock were particularly good in the first period. Mikie Nally was the standout performer, adding four points from play, numerous assists and he kept the Toome full-back line thinking throughout.

Holycross play North champions Kiladangan in round two while Toomevara match up with Clonoulty/Rossmore.

Holycross/Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke (0-1F), Cathal O’Reilly, Cathal Barrett, Evan Morris, Jack Ryan, Joe Caeser (1-0 pen), Liam Doyle (0-1), Tadhg Gould, David Fogarty (1-1), Mikie Nally (0-4), Eoin Craddock (0-2), Padraic Russell, Tiernan Ryan, Darragh Woods (0-11, 0-7F), Robbie Ryan (0-3).

Subs: James Doyle (0-2), Jimmie Lahart, Luke O’Mara.

Toomevara: Rory Brislane, Cathal Frend, Andrew Ryan, Jake Ryan, Josh McCarthy, Liam Ryan, Joshua Power, Robbie Quirke, Conor O’Farrell (0-1), Darren Delaney, Kevin McCarthy (0-3), Jake Hackett, Darragh McCarthy (0-16, 0-15F), Barry O’Connell, Jack Delaney (0-3).

Subs: Adam Hall (0-1), Austin Duff, Mark McCarthy (0-1), Conor O’Farrell (0-3).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Kickhams).