Holycross Ballycahill's impressive first half qualifies them for yet another Mid Tipp decider

Revel At The Ragg Mid U21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Holycross Ballycahill 3-22

Moycarkey Borris 3-14

Holycross Ballycahill had far less trouble than expected in the first of this weekend’s Revel At The Ragg Mid Tipperary U21A Hurling Championship semi-finals, with a fantastic first half performance setting them on their way to victory over a disappointing Moycarkey Borris in Holycross on Saturday afternoon.

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The reigning Mid and County champions cut loose in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 1-9 to 0-1 at that time, highlighting the class and devastating form that can produce against all challengers in the coming weeks.

A competitive opening quarter it was, though, with Holycross racing into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead with the first goal coming from an Audie Lohan rebound effort, but Moycarkey settled down well thereafter with four points in succession, spread evenly between Jack Hayes and Bill Flanagan.

It looked like it might be a good contest at that juncture, but Holycross Ballycahill had other ideas, and it was an all-round elevation in efforts that sent them on their way to a big half-time lead. 

Eoin Craddock hit three first-half points in that time. At the same time, Stephen Walsh had his hands full with the elusive figure of Robbie Ryan, with the Tipperary U20 hurler winning his own penalty to convert in the 25th minute and with scores coming from Eoghan Hickey (3) and James Doyle late in the half, Moycarkey’s challenge was all but extinguished with a full half of hurling yet to be played.

The resumption was far from kind to Moycarkey Borris when Robbie Ryan bagged his second goal within two minutes from close range, but it must be said that the eventual losers didn’t capitulate and restored some pride in the remainder.

They managed to score three goals in the 36th, 52nd, and 60th minutes to put a somewhat of a sheen on the losing margin, with Jack Hayes, Louis Coughlan, and the industrious Bill Flanagan all the providers.

However, it amounted to little in the end as Holycross Ballycahill always had their opponents at arm's length with Robbie Ryan, Eoin Craddock, Eoghan Hickey and Sean McGrat their second-half scorers as they coasted into this year’s final.

A disappointing contest all told, there was an expectation that this would be more competitive than it transpired to be. Holycross looks as formidable as ever, even without the services of Jim Ryan, who will be a long-term absentee.

Scorers: Holycross Ballycahill: Robbie Ryan (2-9, 0-6f, 1-0 pen), Eoin Craddock 0-5, Eoghan Hickey 0-4, Audie Lohan 1-0, Jimmie Lahart, Tadhg Ryan, Sean McGrath, James Doyle.

Moycarkey Borris: (1-8, 0-5f), Bill Flanagan 1-2, Louis Coughlan 1-0, Tom Ryan 0-2, Joe Egan, Joe Maher 0-1 each.

Holycross Ballycahill: James O’Dwyer; Cathal O’Reilly, Evan Morris, Sean McGrath; Daire Ryan, Tadhg Gould, Liam Doyle; Eoghan Hickey, James Doyle; Tiarnan Ryan, Eoin Craddock, Jimmie Lahart; Sean Ryan, Robbie Ryan, Audie Lohan.

Subs used: Tadhg Ryan for Lohan (47); Cian Ryan for L Doyle (57); Pierce Briody for Lahart (59); Jake Galvin for D Ryan (60).

Moycarkey Borris: Frankie Butler; Sean Hayes, Stephen Walsh, Louis Coughlan; Dan Hayes, Joe Egan, Sean O’Dwyer; David Costigan, Sean Maher; Joe Maher, Jack Hayes, Bill Flanagan; Tom Ryan, Liam O’Meara, Eamon Ryan.

Subs used: Cillian Doran for E Ryan (HT).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)

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