Gahan hat-trick key in Boherlahan Dualla's late victory over Silvermines

FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter-Final

Boherlahan Dualla 4-14

Silvermines 2-19

A dramatic late point from Boherlahan Dualla deep into injury time condemned a spirited Silvermines to a heart-breaking defeat following a hugely entertaining and enthralling FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship preliminary quarter-final in Templemore on Sunday.

With extra-time seemingly inevitable, Boherlahan substitute Cathal Darcy emerged as the unlikely hero, popping up with the decisive score with virtually the last puck of the game to snatch victory for Seamus Flanagan’s charges.

Silvermines had appeared to have rescued extra-time when their talismanic forward Jason Forde arrowed over from close range with 62 minutes played. However, Boherlahan launched one final attack and the sliotar broke kindly for Darcy in midfield.

Slightly off balance, the substitute nevertheless managed to produce a high, looping strike which sailed between the posts and sparked jubilant celebrations among the Boherlahan Dualla contingent.

For Silvermines, it was a cruel conclusion to a contest in which they had contributed enormously and could just as easily have emerged victorious.

The ‘Mines will also rue conceding four goals, two in each half, while their reliance on the extraordinary scoring exploits of Jason Forde was once again evident. Forde finished with a remarkable 1-17, including 0-13 from frees, while Conor McKelvey and Danny Quinn contributed a combined tally of 1-2.

In contrast, Boherlahan enjoyed a far greater spread of scorers, with nine different players getting on the scoresheet, an important factor in their ability to negotiate what proved to be a hugely difficult hurdle following their second-place finish behind Golden Kilfeacle in the group stages.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, the reigning North champions made the brighter start and raced into an early two-point advantage before the impressive Paddy Gahan struck for 1-1 in the space of just 60 seconds following a defensive lapse by Silvermines.

The ‘Mines responded immediately, however, with Jason Forde picking up a loose ball before tearing through the heart of the Boherlahan defence and firing to the net.

Three Boherlahan points in succession then restored their advantage, with Euan Ryan, Brian Óg O’Dwyer and Eoin McLoughney all finding the target inside the opening nine minutes.

Silvermines once again hit back to level the contest, Jason Forde converting a free before Danny Quinn put the North side ahead. Quinn then struck for a thundering 11th-minute goal to open up a three-point advantage.

The move began with Jason Forde putting Michael Corcoran through on goal. Corcoran then found Quinn in front of the posts and the Silvermines attacker made no mistake with a powerful finish.

Boherlahan almost responded with a second goal, but Darragh Treacy produced a timely intervention to deny James Kirby.

Forde then showcased his considerable range with a beautifully struck sideline cut midway through the half to stretch the Silvermines advantage to four points.

Boherlahan refused to panic, though, and a brace of Thomas Ryan frees, followed by a 21st-minute point from John Ryan, reduced the deficit to the minimum.

The Mid Tipperary side then regained the lead within seconds when a Brian Óg O’Dwyer ball into the corner found James Kirby. Kirby delivered the sliotar into the path of the inrushing Euan Ryan, who drilled a low finish to the back of the Silvermines net.

Once again, Silvermines responded superbly.

Three Jason Forde frees brought the sides level before Conor McKelvey produced an excellent score from a tight angle deep in first-half injury time to ensure Silvermines held a slender 2-10 to 2-9 lead at the interval.

Forde extended that advantage within seconds of the restart with his first point from play, one of four he would score from open play during the afternoon.

James Kirby responded for Boherlahan before Paddy Gahan once again demonstrated his predatory instincts.

Gathering possession, Gahan evaded the attentions of corner-back Darragh Treacy before flicking the sliotar over the head of the advancing Sean McGrath and into the net to complete his second goal of the afternoon.

That score left Boherlahan ahead by 3-10 to 2-12 and set the stage for another absorbing battle.

Forde replied with two more placed-ball scores before Silvermines almost found the net again in the 42nd minute. Danny Quinn flashed a dangerous ball across the face of the Boherlahan goal, with the inrushing Michael Corcoran agonisingly close to getting the finishing touch.

As both sides battled fiercely for supremacy, Boherlahan struck a crucial fourth goal in the 45th minute.

David Clarke flicked the sliotar into the path of the unmarked Paddy Gahan, and the Boherlahan attacker finished with aplomb to complete his hat-trick and put his side in a commanding position.

Silvermines, though, refused to surrender.

Forde responded with another well-struck free before a 54th-minute Charlie Ryan point edged Boherlahan two clear. The tension increased with every passing minute as both sides exchanged scores in a frantic finale.

Successive points from placed balls brought Silvermines level once again before a close-range Thomas Ryan free edged Boherlahan back in front as the clock ticked towards full-time.

But still there was time for another twist.

Jason Forde once again answered the call, bringing Silvermines level and seemingly setting the stage for an additional 20 minutes of hurling.

Instead, Boherlahan had the final say.

The sliotar broke for substitute Cathal Darcy in midfield and, with the clock deep into injury time, he produced a magnificent looping strike which sailed over the bar to send Boherlahan through to the county quarter-final.

It was a cruel blow for Silvermines, who had given everything, but a memorable moment for Darcy and a hard-earned victory for Boherlahan Dualla.

The victory propels Boherlahan into a county quarter-final meeting with Killenaule, while Silvermines must now regroup quickly for a daunting relegation semi-final against last year’s county finalists, Carrick Swan.

Scorers: Boherlahan Dualla: Paddy Gahan 3-1, Tossy Ryan 0-6f, Euan Ryan 1-1, Brian Óg O’Dwyer, Charlie Ryan, John Ryan, James Kirby, Eoin McLoughney, Cathal Darcy all 0-1 each.

Silvermines: Jason Forde (1-17, 0-13f, 0-1 sl-cut), Danny Quinn 1-0, Conor McKelvey 0-2.

Boherlahan Dualla: Darragh Lacey; Conor Kennedy, Gerard O’Dwyer, John Ryan; Tomas Bourke, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Ned Ryan; Charlie Ryan, David Clarke; Euan Ryan, Tossy Ryan, Paddy Gahan; Brian Óg O’Dwyer, James Kirby, Eoin McLoughney.

Subs: Mark Downey for Kirby (41); Seámie Leahy for E Ryan (49); Cathal Darcy for Clarke (51).

Silvermines: Conor Murphy; Darragh Treacy, Darragh Nolan, Cathal Treacy; Ronan Sherlock, Luke O’Brien, Daniel McKelvey; Patrick Leamy, Eddie Ryan; Michael Corcoran, Jason Forde, Sean Nolan; Conor McKelvey, Danny Quinn, Sean McGrath.

Subs: Oisín Murphy for C McKelvey (49); Brian Seymour for Ryan (51).

Referee: Cian Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty)