Boherlahan Dualla edge incredibly tight U21 mid football final

Munster Construction U21B Mid Football Championship Final

Boherlahan Dualla 2-6

Moyne Templetuohy 1-8

A cold, freezing night greeted supporters to the 2022 U21B Football Final played in Dr. Morris Park on Friday evening last. Despite the cold conditions the last twenty minutes of this encounter warmed the bones for both sets of supporters as the direction of the trophy could have gone either way.

On what was undoubtedly a difficult evening for any sport both teams looked to attack from the off. The opening score however took seven minutes to emerge and it was the Sash who took the early lead, an Eoin Moloughney free settling his troops. Both sides had their fair share of wides in the opening quarter, much of which can be put down to the conditions.

Boherlahan Dualla soon doubled their lead. James Murphy quickest to the break of the kick out and he pointed. This was soon pushed to three as captain Padraig Ryan made a darting run through the middle to score.

Moyne Templetuohy were working hard for the opportunity to score and it came mid-way through the opening half, Barry Ryan kicking lovely from his left.

The gap was reduced to one minute later with Diarmuid Campion pointing. Moyne Templetuohy had found their feet in this one and found themselves level just on the stroke of half time, Ciarán Lloyd pointing a 45m. There was time for one more play and Boherlahan Dualla made it count.

A pressing move saw Darragh Lacey fouled and Moloughney was once again on hand to send his side one to good at the break. 0-4 to 0-3.

This game had the feel of going all the way from the first half exploits however this looked unlikely three minutes into the second half with Boherlahan Dualla rattling two quick goals to push seven points in front.

The first, a short free quick from Moloughney to Lacey, saw the latter space and he made no mistake. The second goal was a darting run from Moloughney through the heart of the Moyne Templetuohy defence to score. 2-4 to 0-3.

The concession of the two goals, sparked Moyne Templetuohy into life! Barry Ryan kicked a monster score from his left over 30m out to reduce the gap before Éanna Guilfoyle pointed his first free of the encounter in the 40th minute to put five between the teams.

Boherlahan Dualla though responded with probably the score of the game, a gut wrenching run from James Murphy from 60m out saw him score to put six between the sides.

The game was really heating up both on and off the field. Guilfoyle pointed once more from a free before a pivotal moment in the game took place. A superb ball into Barry Ryan saw him move clear only to be fouled by Ned Ryan inside the large parallelogram.

Johnny Butler signalled for the penalty as well as a black card for Ryan. County Minor Danny Moore stood up and made no mistake dispatching to the corner.

Two point game, seven minutes on the clock! This was quickly reduced to one again with Barry Ryan the scorer. Boherlahan Dualla to their credit didn’t panic at this stage and Dylan Fogarty calmly pointed to put two between the sides.

With the 60mins allotted Moyne Templetuohy did reduce the gap to one, Kieran Larkin venturing from his full back birth to point.

His side desperately searched for an equaliser or winner but it wasn’t to come! Referee Johnny Butler blew the final whistle with Boherlahan Dualla emerging one point winners, 2-6 to 1-8.

Despite the cold conditions on show, this was a highly entertaining second half of football. Moyne Templetuohy to their credit fought hard and reduced a seven point deficit to one. Boherlahan Dualla showed their worth with some fine kicking on display throughout.

Boherlahan Dualla: Richard Delaney, Eugene O’Dwyer, Ned Ryan, Cormac Casey, James Casey, Tomás Bourke, Ross Darcy, Euan Ryan, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, James Murphy (0-2), Micheál O’Connor, Padraig Ryan (0-1), Darragh Lacey (1-0), Dylan Fogarty (0-1), Eoin Moloughney (1-2, 0-2f).

Subs: Jake Canny for Padraig Ryan, Robbie Darcy for Eugene O’Dwyer.

Moyne Templetuohy: Cormac Kiely, Jordon Fahey, Kieran Larkin (0-1), Adam Jones, Dylan McLoughlin, Shane Lowe, Danny Moore (1-0 penalty), Ciarán Lloyd (0-1 45m), Padraig Gleeson, Brian Campion, Éanna Guilfoyle (0-2f), Gavin Ryan, Bill Brolan, Barry Ryan (0-3), Diarmuid Campion (0-1).

Subs: Jake Bowe for Bill Brolan, Martin Cleere for Brian Campion.

Referee: Johnny Butler (Upperchurch Drombane)