Late Ryan cameo wins exciting Mid title for Boherlahan Dualla in a tight clash

R. Healy AV & IT Solutions Mid Tipperary Junior A Football Final

Boherlahan Dualla 3-9

Clonakenny 2-11

By Michael Dundon

Padraic Ryan’s late introduction yielded two points to steer Boherlahan Dualla to victory in the R. Healy AV & IT Solutions Mid Tipperary Junior A football final against holders Clonakenny at Gortnahoe on Friday evening last.

READ NEXT: Massive crowd descends on Thurles to welcome home Tipperary hurling heroes!

These sides met again in last year’s final, with Clonakenny taking the honours, and while Boherlahan left it late to get over the line, the merit of their success was not in question.

Missing quite a few regulars, they had by far the greater share of possession, but wayward shooting (14 wides) meant they were chasing the game right to the finish.

Clonakenny too were without some first-choice players but were far more productive near goal and, while disappointed at losing, they have the consolation of a county quarter-final to look forward to and time to fine-tune their preparation for that outing.

Though Eoin Moloughney had the first score of the game, a Boherlahan point, Clonakenny, in their first attack, netted through Darragh O’Malley after an excellently executed counter-attack. 

With Brian Óg O’Dwyer a tower of strength, Boherlahan were level at 0-5 to 1-2, helped by a Ger O'Dwyer two-pointer after eighteen minutes.

Their shooting lapses told against them as Clonakenny finished the half with a flourish, three unanswered points being crowned by Darragh O’Malley’s second goal right on the break for a 2-5 to 0-5 interval lead.

Advantage Clonakenny, but not for long. A point by Paddy Gahan was followed immediately by a Darren O’Reilly goal to bring Boherlahan right into contention just two minutes after resuming. 

Stephen Maher and Diarmuid Ryan points steadied things for Clonakenny, and then Boherlahan lost Michael O’Connor to a black card, a Cian Russell point consolidating Clonakenny’s position at the three-quarter stage (2-8 to 1-6).

But Boherlahan were not relenting, and Eoin Moloughney’s goal from a penalty had them hot on Clonakenny’s heels as the contest stepped up in intensity. It was followed inside two minutes by a Mark Downey goal to put Boherlahan 3-6 to 2-8 ahead. 

Now it was Clonakenny’s turn to dig deep, and this they did with points from Cian O’Dwyer and Darragh O’Malley to go ahead 2-10 to 3-6 with seven minutes to go. 

Ryne Bargary (Boherlahan) and Diarmuid Ruyan (Clonakenny) traded points, and with the final whistle imminent, Boherlahan’s super-sub Padraic Ryan was to be their match-winner with two late points to give them a richly deserved victory after a fine contest. 

While Padraic Ryan’s points determined the outcome, Boherlahan’s win owed much to the efforts of Gerard O'Dwyer, Eugene Dwyer, Charlie Ryan, Eoin Moloughney, Brian Óg O’Dwyer, and James Murphy.

Clonakenny, too, let chances go begging that were costly in so finely balanced a game. This outing should benefit them handsomely as they prepare for a county quarter-final when they will be hoping to be at full strength. 

Their key men in this contest were Darragh O’Malley, Alexei Harty, Peader Byrne, Cian O’Dwyer, and Diarmuid Ryan.

Scorers: Boherlahan Dualla: E Moloughney 1-2, D O’Reilly, M Downey 1-0 each, G O Dwyer, P Ryan 0-2 each, B O’Dwyer, P Gahan, R Bargery all 0-1 each.

Clonakenny: D O’Malley 2-3, C O’Dwyer 0-3, C Russell, D Ryan 0-2 each, S Maher 0-1.

Boherlahan Dualla: Kieran O’Neill; Michael O’Connor, Brian Óg O’Dwyer, Ned Ryan; Cathal Darcy, Gerard O’Dwyer, Eugene O’Dwyer; Paddy Gahan, Charlie Ryan; James Murphy, Jake Canny, Eoin Moloughney; Shane Tarrant, Darren O’Reilly, Ryne Bargary.

Subs used: Mark Downey for Tarrant; Padraic Ryan for O’Reilly.

Clonakenny: Sean Maher; Alexei Harty, Brian Mullally, Colin Ryan; Diarmuid Ryan, Delacy Byrne, John Joe Ryan; Peadar Byrne, Sean Stapleton; Cain Russell, Darragh O’Malley, Willie Costigan; Cian O’Dwyer, Conor Nesbitt, Stephen Maher.

Subs used: MJ Carroll for Costigan; John O’Meara for Nesbitt; John Costigan for Stapleton.

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens)

ALSO READ: See the Tipperary hurlers bring smiles to kids in Crumlin Children's Hospital!