Holycross Ballycahill dethrone champions Loughmore in eight-goal thriller

FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter-Final

Holycross Ballycahill 4-25

Loughmore Castleiney 4-18

Loughmore Castleiney’s bid for a third consecutive FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling title foundered at The Ragg on Saturday, where they were comprehensively beaten in the preliminary quarter-final by a Holycross Ballycahill side which, in recent times, has experienced its fair share of disappointments at the hands of their opponents.

The champions were twice beaten in the round-robin series, qualifying for a preliminary quarter-final by virtue of their Mid final success, achieved in extra time with a win over Holycross Ballycahill, who they also defeated in last year’s semi-final. Turning the tables on their rivals in such circumstances made this win all the sweeter for the Holycross boys, whose standing in the championship has soared as a consequence.

With Loughmore Castleiney hampered by injuries which ruled John Meagher and Ed Connolly out of their starting line-up, Holycross Ballycahill would never have a better chance of lowering the champions’ colours. Holycross themselves felt they had things to set straight after that Mid final setback and, from the very start, they went about their business in most impressive fashion.

This was easily their best display of the year, reinforcing the bookmakers’ choice as favourites for the title, but no medals were awarded for Saturday’s success and there is still a lot of hurling to be done before the destiny of the Dan Breen Cup is decided.

From start to finish, this was a cracking contest, well worthy of a final, with scores coming thick and fast to the delight of a bumper attendance. Inside a minute, Cathal Barrett had a Holycross goal, his long delivery slipping by Aidan McGrath in the Loughmore goal, who was distracted by the presence of Holycross’ Mikey Nally. Bryan O’Mara, who had a storming game for Holycross, fired over a point before Liam McGrath finished off an excellent four-man Loughmore move with a goal in the third minute.

Breathtaking stuff, and it continued in the same vein for a thrilling first half. The first quarter belonged to Holycross, with Robbie Ryan and Joe Caesar both pointing twice as they moved 1-7 to 1-2 clear.

Loughmore then had four points without reply from Ciaran Connolly, Tommy Maher, Eoin O’Connell and John McGrath to be hot on their rivals’ heels at 1-6 to 1-7.

In the 21st minute, Mikey Nally had the ball in the Loughmore net, but referee Michael Kennedy had earlier blown for a penalty. Holycross’ dismay was relieved when Joe Caesar blasted home, but straight from the puck-out John McGrath cleverly engineered space for himself to scythe through for a Loughmore goal.

At the end of as good a first half of hurling as you will see, Holycross enjoyed a slender 2-11 to 2-10 advantage. It was anybody’s game.

And so it continued on the restart. John McGrath’s goal off a Joey Hennessy pass after nine minutes put Loughmore ahead for the first time in the game, 3-13 to 2-15, and Holycross supporters must have wondered if disappointment was again going to be their lot.

Not this time, however.

Three minutes later, Darragh Woods was set up by Robbie Ryan for a goal, quickly followed by points from Woods, Jamie Lee Dwan and Eoin Craddock to send Holycross clear, 3-20 to 3-14, with eight minutes to play.

Holycross were hurling with a confidence and freedom above anything shown this year and, with five minutes on the clock, they were 3-24 to 3-18 ahead when Robbie Ryan poached a smashing goal to put the game beyond Loughmore’s reach.

Loughmore’s cause suffered a further setback when John Ryan was red-carded on the hour mark for a rash tackle on Robbie Ryan. Three minutes into injury time, Liam McGrath bagged Loughmore’s fourth goal, too late to make a difference, but reflecting the never-say-die spirit of the fallen champions.

Full marks to Holycross Ballycahill. This was a huge win and it was achieved with a style and conviction that was a delight to watch. Team captain Cathal Barrett retiring near the finish with a hamstring pull will be a concern, but otherwise it was all glory for the Abbey-siders.

When they needed leaders, they had them in abundance. Bryan O’Mara was magnificent at centre-back. Joe Caesar played his best for some time. Robbie Ryan, Darragh Woods, Eoin Craddock, Evan Morris and Tadhg Gould all had big games. There was not a weak link in the side and the comfort of their success can be gauged by their late substitutions, secure in the knowledge that this considerable hurdle had been cleared.

The cameo for defender Jim Ryan, out for so long with injury, added further to the winners’ satisfaction with their evening’s work.

Loughmore Castleiney went out like true champions. They gave it everything, but injuries and Father Time took their toll. This bunch of players has given their club great days and may do so again, but on this occasion they were outplayed and accepted their fate with great dignity.

Brian McGrath, Liam McGrath and John McGrath were foremost in their defence of the title. Eoin O’Connell continues to improve with each outing and Willie Eviston, too, played his part.

With football quarter-final action around the corner, they have little time to lick their wounds but, as they have done in the past, they will respond in full-blooded fashion. No moaning, no excuses, no complaining, just get on with it. They are a credit to themselves and their parish.

Scorers: Holycross Ballycahill: Darragh Woods (1-8, 0-4f), Robbie Ryan, Joe Caesar 1-4 each, Eoin Craddock 0-4, Cathal Barrett 1-0, Bryan O’Mara 0-2, Evan Morris, Jamie Lee Dwan, Tiarnan Ryan all 0-1 each.

Loughmore Castleiney: John McGrath (2-8, 0-6f), Liam McGrath 2-2, Eoin O’Connell, Brian McGrath 0-2 each, Ciaran Connolly, Ed Meagher, Joey Quinn, Tommy Maher all 0-1 each.

Holycross Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke; Cathal O’Reilly, Cathal Barrett, Evan Morris; Jack Ryan, Bryan O’Mara, Joe Caesar; Tadhg Gould, Tiarnan Ryan; Jamie Lee Dwan, Eoin Craddock, Ben Hennessy; Robbie Ryan, Mikey Nally, Darragh Woods.

Subs used: David Fogarty for Hennessy (35); Jim Ryan for Barrett (58); Jimmy Lahart for Nally (60 mins); Jack Dwan for R Ryan (62).

Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Eoin O’Connell; Tommy Maher, Noel McGrath, John Ryan; Brian McGrath, Ciaran Connolly; Joey Hennessy, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran McGrath; Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Philip O’Connell.

Subs used: Ciaran McCormack for P O’Connell (HT); Ed Connolly for T McGrath (HT); Joey Quinn for E Connolly (46); Ed Meagher for T Maher (51); Liam Treacy for Hennessy (55).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle)