Defensive nous key for Boherlahan Dualla in their quarter-final triumph over Moneygall

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final

Boherlahan 2-16 

Moneygall 1-14

By Liam Hogan 

A 59th-minute goal by Patrick Gahan was enough to seal a hard-earned win for Boherlahan in a well-contested but free-ridden encounter with Moneygall in front of a fair-sized attendance at a beautiful sunny Borrisoleigh last Sunday afternoon.

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Leading 1-15 to 1-14, the goal came at the right time for Boherlahan, and with the addition of an injury-time point by James Kirby, it meant a five-point lead was a step too far for Moneygall, who needed two quick goals to save the day despite having over five minutes of added time.

The game was up for grabs between two teams that won county Intermediate honours in the last two years, with Boherlahan the team with a little bit more experience. 

It showed as they had their defence well organised in order to keep an eye on a Moneygall team that had the forwards to grab scores with frequency, as Sean Kenneally, Eoghan Doughan and Adam Hogan could do.

And so it was when team manager Conor Gleeson moved Gerard O’Dwyer from his customary centre-back position to man the full-back berth, a position he last played in two years ago when Boherlahan defeated Moneygall by three points in a rain-sodden semi-final played in Templetuohy.

Gerard O’Dwyer and his fellow full-back men, Tomas Bourke and John Ryan, did what the manager ordered as they curbed the inside line of Kenneally and Doughan to just 1-2 from play, while the half-back line of Dylan Fogarty, Martin Paul O’Dwyer and Cathal Darcy kept tabs on Adam Hogan and company, minimising their return from play to just 0-1, which Bob Kenny secured.

The opening 13 minutes was another indication of how close these teams were, as scores were level three times thanks to the accuracy of Ed Doughan and Tomas Ryan. As it transpired, Moneygall took the lead three times, with Doughan scoring the first of two while Adam Hogan added a third free.

Boherlahan managed to equalise each time, two from Tomas Ryan, while full-back Gerard O’Dwyer scored his side’s first from long range in the third minute.

In fact, Moneygall had most of the play up to then, but the Boherlahan defence nullified them while the Moneygall defence were giving little away either, as Brendan Tuohy, Cian Ryan and Andy Hoolan were prominent, as was Joe Fogarty at midfield.

The first breakthrough of the game fell to Boherlahan in the 14th minute when, after Charlie Ryan gave the Mid side the lead, another attack saw James Kirby and Patrick Gahan create space for Charlie Ryan, who was fouled inside the Moneygall 20. As the Moneygall defence retreated for the free, the quick-thinking Tomas Ryan fired low to the net. Sheer opportunism.

The remainder of the half began to open up and the scoring rate became more frequent, as Joe Fogarty’s splendid point from the right wing was matched by an equally impressive score by wing-forward James Kirby. Adam Hogan replied with a 65-metre free and Bob Kenny scored from play before Boherlahan went four in front after Mark Downey and Brian Óg O’Dwyer scored a point each.

A great run by Brian Óg O’Dwyer yielded a close-in free, but there were no surprises this time as Ryan converted to move Boherlahan five clear, 1-8 to 0-6 after 23 minutes. However, Moneygall responded with danger, but Sean Kenneally’s well-struck shot for goal was well saved by Boherlahan keeper Darragh Lacey at the expense of a 65, which Adam Hogan converted. 

Pressure continued on the Boherlahan goal, but Lacey was equal to a high ball and, after a passing move, a free from 80 metres was directed over by Tomas Ryan, leaving five between the sides again.

As play entered additional time, there was enough time for Doughan and Ryan to swap frees to leave the half-time score reading Boherlahan 1-10 to Moneygall 0-8.

Half-time breaks can deaden a game, and the opening 10 minutes of the second half was a clear example of it, as the next six points were a battle of accuracy by both free-takers. Moneygall’s Eoghan Doughan grabbed four (against two by Tomas Ryan), leaving the margin at three, the Mid side leading 1-12 to 0-12.

The very effective Shay Gleeson was much involved in making many clearances, and he could score as well, as his point had the margin down to two by the 46th minute. 

A Tomas Ryan free had the lead out to three, but in the 48th minute a through ball by Adam Hogan had Sean Kenneally en route to goal, and the left corner-forward needed no invitation to score. Sides level, 1-13 each.

Suddenly the game opened up and, after another Ryan free, Boherlahan secured their first score from play in the second half when Euan Ryan did the needful seven minutes from time.

When Eoghan Doughan picked up his second point from play, it was still to play for. Play continued, but the introduction of subs and care for the injured upset the pattern of play, and a free to Boherlahan on halfway seemed another chance for Tomas Ryan to increase his tally. 

However, the breeze held up the flight of the ball, and it dropped outside the large square, where Patrick Gahan pulled instinctively, his low shot giving Kevin McCormack no chance.

Once James Kirby increased the lead, there was no way back for Moneygall, but they tried desperately, only for Darragh Lacey to save once more. Game over.

Scorers: Boherlahan Dualla: Tomas Ryan 1-9f, Patrick Gahan 1-0, James Kirby 0-2, Brian Óg O’Dwyer, Euan Ryan, Charlie Ryan, Mark Downey all 0-1 each, Gerard O’Dwyer 0-1f.

Boherlahan Dualla: Darragh Lacey; Tomas Bourke, Gerard O’Dwyer, John Ryan; Dylan Fogarty, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Cathal Darcy; Charlie Ryan, Euan Ryan; Patrick Gahan, Brian Óg O’Dwyer, James Kirby; Tomas Ryan, Seamus Leahy, Mark Downey.

Moneygall: Eoghan Doughan (0-8, 0-6f), Adam Hogan (0-3, 0-2f, 0-1 65), Sean Kenneally 1-0, Shay Gleeson, Joe Fogarty, Bob Kenny all 0-1 each.

Subs used: Brian Carrigg for MP O’Dwyer (blood 14-18); David Clarke for Downey (53); Eoin McLoughney for Euan Ryan (59); Ryan Bargary for Leahy (59); Brian Carrigg for Bourke (60); James Murphy for Gahan (61).

Moneygall: Kevin McCormack; Shay Gleeson, Brendan Toohey, Roddy Teehan; Jack Kirwan, Andy Hoolan, Cian Ryan; Joe Fogarty, Aodhan Ryan; Paddy Fogarty, Adam Hogan, Bob Kenny; Eoghan Doughan, Tadgh Whyte, Seanie Kenneally.

Subs used: Sean Fogarty for Hoolan (blood 44-60); Eoin Whyte for T Whyte (53).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)

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