Holycross defy the form to claim powerful win over Upperchurch

A composed, assured performance from Holycross Ballycahill was enough to register a confidence boosting win over Upperchurch Drombane in the first round of the Tipperary senior hurling championship at Littleton on Sunday last.

The drive and ambition of the winners showed from the start and, as the game wore on, their strength in the tackle and constant attacking was too much for an Upperchurch side that never looked like match winners.

The hard working Aidan Stakelum struck the first point for Gary Byrnes team which set the tone. Goalkeeper Ewan Bourke followed up with a long range free before a Padraic Greene free settled the Church.

Against the run of play Upperchurch got the first goal on eleven minutes when Greene pounced on a loose ball to set up Paul Shanahan who in turn passed to his younger brother Luke. In a flash Upperchurch were 1-1 to 0-2 up.

Greene added two more for the Church while Ben Hennessy and two Darragh Woods points for Holycross brought it back to a one point game at 1-3 to 0-5. Gavin Ryan and Woods traded points before Holycross went up a gear.

The impressive Ben Hennessy fired over a point to rouse the crowd before another Holycross attack meant the Upperchurch defence were under pressure to clear a loose ball.

The pressure and high intensity tackling from the Holycross forwards paid off as Joe Caesar found space. In an instant he fired a bullet to the roof of the net which left the hot favourites shellshocked.

Padraic Green responded with a free but the underdogs went in 1-7 to 1-5 up at half time. Even at this point one sensed that a shock was on the cards as the tackling and energy was all with Holycross who looked determined and hurled with pace.

The sides traded points before one of the key moments in the game. As Upperchurch pressed on to quench the possibility of an upset, teenager Paddy Phelan found himself one on one with the Holycross keeper.

The shot was hard and powerful but the save was better still. An outstanding block by Ewan Bourke denied Upperchurch. They went again. Luke Shanahan struck two from play but Holycross players sensed the Church had given everything they had.

Jim Ryan hit a point before Ben Hennessy slotted over his third point to make it 1-10 to 1-9 to Holycross. From there the 'Church faded and the 'Cross took over.

Under-19 hurler Eoin Craddock was immense all afternoon for Holycross, and he struck to put them two up before Joe Caesar put them three up. Cathal Barrett, who played in the forwards, nullified the impact of the Upperchurch half back line. He struck a point from play before Gavin Ryan got one back to leave the score Holycross 1-13 Upperchurch 1-10.

Only three between them, but in general play the Holycross team were outworking the Church. The influential Bryan O'Mara and Micky Jo Doyle controlled their area. Doyle struck a fine point to make 1-14 to 1-10 before Greene hit two for the Church. Barrett struck in response.

By now a Holycross victory looked likely but one slip could still prove costly so they needed the assurance of a Luke O'Mara goal to seal the deal. That put them six up but at the other end Ewan Bourke was called into action again. He saved at close range from substitute Pat Ryan.

The workrate was high until the final whistle and a fantastic block by Eoin Craddock on Ryan late on typified the determination of this Holycross side. Bryan O'Mara hurled well in defence along with the Ryans and Mickey Jo Doyle.

Further up the field Eoin Craddock and Luke O'Mara worked smartly while Aidan Stakelum and Ben Hennessy were both a constant threat.

The Church had only a week to recover from a gut wrenching divisional final defeat and put simply, they never looked like winning this contest. Next up they play Templederry while Holycross will face Loughmore in the next round.

Holycross Balycahill: Ewan Bourke (0-1); Conor Ryan, Jimmy Ryan, Gavin Dunne; Mickey Jo Doyle (0-1), Bryan O'Mara, Jim Ryan (0-1); Eoin Craddock (0-1), Shane Ryan; Cathal Barrett (0-2), Luke O'Mara (1-0), Ben Hennessy (0-3); Darragh Woods (0-4), Aidan Stakelum (0-2), Joe Caesar (1-1).

Upperchurch Drombane: Ciaran Shortt; Dean Carew, Ger Grant, AJ Shanahan; Keith Ryan, Gavin Ryan (0-2), Ailbe O'Donoghue; Aaron Ryan, Paddy Phelan (0-1); Jack Butler, Colm Ryan, Mikey Griffin; Luke Shanahan (1-2), Paul Shanahan, Padraig Greene (0-8).
Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)