Moycarkey withstand a comeback to dispose of Boherlahan and claim deserved Mid title

PRS Cahir Mid Tipperary U17B Hurling Championship Final

Moycarkey Borris 2-18

Boherlahan Dualla 2-14

By Michael Dundon

Despite some late discomfort, Moycarkey Borris absorbed a strong Boherlahan Dualla finish to claim the PRS Cahir Mid U17B hurling title after a right good contest at Drombane on Monday evening.

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These sides are no strangers to each other at the underage level, and once more Moycarkey Borris took the honours, but not before a spirited comeback by Boherlahan Dualla came up just short after trailing by 10 points at half-time.

A downfield breeze had a big influence on the game, and Moycarkey Borris used it well in the first half, but they also had luck on their side in that Conor Doherty’s sideline cut from 40 yards after 11 minutes swirled in the breeze past Jack O'Dwyer in the Boherlahan goal for a 1-3 to 0-2 lead.

There was also an element of luck about their second goal by Adam Rice, his ground shot in the 25th minute, skidding off the greasy surface into the Boherlahan net for a 2-8 to 0-4 lead. 

They retained the 10-point advantage to the break, retiring with a 2-10 to 0-6 lead and looked comfortably on their way to the title.

Boherlahan did not deserve to be so far behind but needed early scores to mount a serious second-half challenge. However, Moycarkey were dogged in defence, conceding nothing and by the end of the third quarter had actually extended their lead to 2-16 to 0-11, Conor Doherty’s free-taking their main source of scores.

At this stage, a Moycarkey-Borris win looked absolutely certain, but Boherlahan Dualla produced a hectic last quarter that had Moycarkey fans on edge awaiting the final whistle. It began with Conor Fogarty’s goal after 49 minutes. 

Aaron Toomey added a point and then, on 58 minutes, netted, followed immediately by another point, and then a Bobby McLoughlin point, to cut the deficit to a goal going into injury time.

Conor Doherty’s well-struck injury-time pointed free was loudly welcomed by Moycarkey fans, but in a late surge, Conor Fogarty almost had another goal for Boherlahan, his shot whizzing by the wrong side of the post, much to the relief of the red and yellow brigade.

It was an impressive win for Moycarkey Borris, who will go forward to the county semi-finals full of confidence. 

The club is on a hurling “roll” at the moment, ”all boats rising with the tide”, and while they will be disappointed to concede the late goals, they have every reason for optimism going forward. 

There is a lot of quality in the team, the performances of Sean Lanphier, Harry Sheppard, Reuben Power, Sean Maher, Conor Doherty, Evan Ned Cummins, and Adam Rice being particularly eye-catching.

The first half goals scuppered Boherlahan-Dualla’s chances, but the lads did themselves and the club proud with their second half showing. The club has a lot of young, quality players coming through its ranks, which augurs well for the future. 

In Conor Kennedy, Eoin Kennedy, Aaron Toomey, Conor Fogarty, and Ronan Graham, they had players who would be very comfortable in the A grade, and who will be heard of in the future.

Moycarkey Borris: Darragh Patterson; Cillian Alexander, Tomas Leahy, Reuben Power; James Danagher, Sean Lanphier (0-2), Harry Sheppard; Sean Maher, Sean O’Dwyer (0-1); Conor Doherty (1-7, 0-6f, 1-0 sl-cut), Evan Ned Cummins (0-3), Richie Maher (0-1); Adam Rice (1-2), Niall O’Sullivan, Conor Donnelly (0-1).

Subs used: Sean Sheehan (0-1).

Boherlahan Dualla: Jack O'Dwyer; John Egan O'Dwyer, Conor O’Donnell, Michael Delahunty; Fionn Ivors, Conor Kennedy, Cian Lawrence (0-1); Eoin Kennedy, Bobby McLoughlin (0-1); Mel Ryan, Aaron Toomey (1-7, 0-6f), Harry Ryan; Ronan Graham (0-3), Conor Fogarty (1-1), Darragh Crosse (0-1).

Subs used: Niall Fitzgerald; Aaron McCarthy.

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch)

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