Boherlahan Dualla claim back to back Mid titles with narrow win over Drom & Inch

Roadstone Mid Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Boherlahan Dualla 1-13

Drom & Inch 0-11

By Michael Dundon

A strong second quarter by holders Boherlahan Dualla tipped the scales in their favour as they overcame the persistent challenge of Drom & Inch in the Roadstone Mid intermediate hurling final at Drombane on Friday evening. 

Winning this Mid title is never easy, retaining it even more difficult, so full marks to this very talented young Boherlahan Dualla side which, despite some glaring lapses in their efforts for scores( sixteen wides), were full value for their five points success.

That said, Drom & Inch too will regret the many chances spurned (13 wides), from play and frees, lapses that ultimately were their undoing in a very entertaining and competitive encounter. 

But it was that second-quarter lull that really did the damage and which also underlined the greater scoring potential enjoyed by Boherlahan.

The opening quarter was brisk and evenly balanced as the sides shared six points in thirteen minutes. Then came the break as over the next fourteen minutes Boherlahan scored 1-5 without reply from Drom to take a grip on the game they never relinquished although under severe pressure in the second half.

The goal from Mark Downey came on fifteen minutes after Drom spilled possession outfield, and was taken confidently by the Boherlahan man for a 1-4 to 0-3 lead. 

With Tomas Ryan accurate from frees and Seamus Leahy posing a serious threat, Boherlahan quickly stretched their advantage from 1-8 to 0-3. 

Darragh Fitzpatrick and Mikey Connors had Drom points before the break but the interval came with Boherlahan firmly in control 1-9 to 0-5.

Drom needed to raise their game in the second half, and this they did, enjoying more of the play, but their finishing let them down and the goal they needed to ignite their challenge never threatened. 

Their points came too slowly Darragh Fitzpatrick and Mikey Connors hitting two in eight minutes on resuming but full credit to a resolute Boherlahan defence which absorbed the pressure without ever losing their composure.

Dylan Fogartyand Tomas Ryan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Boherlahan but with six minutes to go, and Shane Hassett now operating in attack for Drom and notching two points, the lead was down to a goal. 

Boherlahan had their backs to the wall but reliable free-taker Tomas Ryan gave them some breathing space with two strikes. That was enough to sustain them and they held their five points advantage to the finish.

This was an important win for Boherlahan Dualla endorsing their improving status and giving hem a huge boost facing into the county championship where they are in a difficult group that includes Moneygall, Kilsheelan and Shannon Rovers. 

Qualifying from that will not be easy for any of the sides involved but the “lift” the Mid win will give the Boherlahan lads should do them the world of good.

Team captain Seamus Leahy may be the veteran of the side but he showed how important he is to the team with a lively performance in attack. Tomas Ryan’s accuracy off frees was vital as were the contributions of  Mark Downey and Brian Og O’Dwyer while further back Johnny Ryan, Ger O’Dwyer and Martin Paul O’Dwyer were key men. All round, this is a good Boherlahan-Dualla side and a force to be reckoned with at this level.

Drom will be disappointed at the amount of balls that went astray on them and this will need addressing before they open their county campaign against Knockavilla Kickhams with games against Carrick Davins and Arravale Rovers to follow. 

They started without the injured James Woodlock who was badly missed for his leadership and quality. Conor O’Meara, and Liam Ryan  were solid in defence while Shane Hassett did well both in defence and attack. 

Mikey Connors worked very hard in the attack with Darragh Kennedy also prominent. Overall Drom have work to do if they are to come through their group in the county championship. They also run the risk of losing players to their senior side.

Boherlahan Dualla: Darragh Lacey; Johnny Ryan, Ger O’Dwyer, Brian Carrig; Cathal Darcy, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Dylan Fogarty (0-1); Euan Ryan, Laurance Devane; Mark Downey (1-2), Tomas Ryan (0-6, 0-5f), Colm O'Dwyer; Brian Og O’Dwyer (0-1), Seamus Leahy (0-2), Darragh Hickey (0-1).

Subs used: David Clarke for E Ryan (45); James Kirby for Devane (55).

Drom & Inch: Paul Connors; Eoin Kenndy, Michael Purcell, Conor O’Meara; Paul Bergin, Liam Ryan, Shane Hassett (0-3, 0-2f); Jim Bob Kennedy, Darragh Kennedy (0-1); Darragh Fitzpatrick (0-2), David Butler, Mikey Connors (0-4, 0-2f); Jamie Bergin, Ben Stapleton, Mikey Clohessy.

Subs used: Paul Kinane (0-1) for Clohessy (35); Jack Ryan for Fitzpatrick (40).

Referee: Johnny Butler (Upperchurch Drombane)