Holycross Ballycahill youngsters shoot the lights out in victory over Drom & Inch

Centenary Agri Mid Senior Hurling Championship quarter final

Holycross Ballycahill 0-34

Drom & Inch 3-22

By Michael Dundon

Eleven points in the closing quarter of the first half irrevocably established Holycross Ballycahill’s control of their Centenary Agri Mid Tipperary senior hurling quarter final against Drom-Inch at Littleton on Sunday, but they had to survive a couple of second-half surges by the winners before their semi-final spot was confirmed.

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Underage success in recent years, with a steady flow of quality players coming through to senior ranks, is streamlining Holycross Ballycahill’s challenge for senior honours and with a semi-final spot against JK Brackens at The Ragg their prize for Sunday’s success, they will face into the game this Wednesday evening, with confidence high.

To add to the merit of Sunday’s win, they were without injured key men, county defender Bryan O’Mara and Jim Ryan and while they are not expected to make the team for the semi-final, their return will further enhance the club’s prospects of a big senior campaign.

On the other hand Drom & Inch will be greatly disappointed by this defeat. Even allowing for the absence of  some of last year’s squad, more was expected of their side, the concession of 34 scores surely something to ponder before they begin their round-robin games in the county championship. 

Seamie Callanan did not start but came on for the last quarter as Drom mounted a salvage bid but it was not enough to rescue their title challenge.

Holycross established control from the start and had four points on the board in as many minutes before David Collins opened Drom’ account. Holycross were flying with scores coming from all directions as Drom struggled to stay with them. 

Tony Cahill’s goal for Drom after 20 minutes , bringing them within a point of their rivals (0-10 to 1-6) looked the thing to kickstart their comeback but Holycross fired over eleven points before the break though Eoin Craddock, Joe Caesar, Darragh Woods, Robbie Ryan, Mikey Nally and goalkeeper  Ewan Bourke from a free to go in at half-time leading 0-21 to 1-7.

Paduie Kinane produced Drom’s sole response and at this stage their fate seemed settled but they resumed much more purposefully with four points in five minutes. Holycross however were not wilting and over the next ten minutes they shared ten points with their rivals  to lead 0-28 to 2-16 at the three quarter stage.

Six points separated the sides when David  Collins netted for Drom off a David Butler delivery after 53 minutes and now the possibility of a shock reversal of fortunes looked possible. Holycross held their nerve however and had points from Mikey Nally, Joe Caesar and Darragh Woods to extend their advantage to seven points. Cormac Fitzpatrick’s injury time goal for Drom came too late for them to build on it.

The merit of Holycross’ win is not in question. They were the better team, their thirty five scores tally really impressive but the concession of 3-22 will give them food for thought. 

They are widely regarded as a team for the future but at full strength they will take beating and are well capable of lifting silverware this year. They had lots of top tier performances here with Cathal O Reilly, Joe Caesar, Eoin Craddock, Tiarnan Ryan, Tadhg Gould, and Evan Morris all showing up well.

Drom & Inch have work to do before the start of the county championship on August 10th but the return of some absentees will boost them. 

The second quarter was their downfall and left them in the doldrums but they responded well in the second half, and they will take some heart from that period. 

Cormac Fitzpatrick was their main threat in attack, with David Collins also having a good outing. Further back, Podge Campion, Tony Cahill, Conor Gleeson, and goalie Eoin Collins were others to do their utmost to stem the tide.

Holycross Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke (0-1f); Cathal O’Reilly (0-1), Cathal Barrett, Jack Ryan; Evan Morris, Luke O’Mara (0-1), Liam Doyle; Joe Caesar (0-6), Tadhg Gould (0-1); Mikey Nally (0-2), Eoin Craddock (0-3), James Doyle; Tiarnan Ryan (0-3), Darragh Woods (0-12, 0-7f), Robbie Ryan (0-2).

Subs used: Padraic Russell for O’Mara (49); Jimmy Lahart (0-1) for J Doyle (55); David Fogarty for J Ryan (56).

Drom & Inch: Eoin Collins; Robbie Long, Fintan Purcell, Jamie Bergin; Mark Conroy, Podge Campion (0-2), Michael Campion; Tony Cahill (1-3), Cormac Cahill; Jack Lillis, David Collins (1-3), John Campion; Paudie Kinane (0-2), John Ryan, Cormac Fitzpatrick (1-11, 0-6f).

Subs used: Conor Gleeson for C Cahill (35); Lorcan Campion for Bergin (40); Kevin Hassett for Long (44); Seamus Callanan (0-1) for Kinane (46); David Butler for Lillis (51).

Referee: Johnny Butler (Upperchurch Drombane)

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