WESTSIDE: Changing of the guard as champions finally surrender their crown

‘Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown’ is taken from Shakespeare’s play Henry IV Part 2. It’s not one that Leaving Certificate students will be familiar with, but the hurlers of Loughmore and Castleiney will appreciate the sentiment.

It’s been an uneasy year for the reigning champions, who lost twice in their group, barely escaped relegation, and finally coughed up their crown after a thoroughly chastening experience against Holycross and Ballycahill.

The game of the season thus far was played at The Ragg on Saturday last, where Holycross turned in a storming second half to swat aside Loughmore, thereby ending their three-in-a-row dream. It was a stunning flourish to a game that captivated a huge attendance.

This was an event that was hyped up in advance and, for once, the match lived up to the billing. It was a collision that Holycross simply couldn’t afford to lose, and Loughmore were certain to fight might and main to ensure they did. Two irresistible forces then were set to generate heat, and the electricity sparked from the beginning.

Within seconds, Cathal Barrett was out ahead of John McGrath to charge up the field and lob one into the goalmouth. With Mikey Nally offering distraction, the ball bounced all the way to Aidan McGrath’s net.

But Holycross got little time to enjoy the benefits of that score. At the other end, Brian McGrath started an ensemble move that finished with his cousin, Liam, whipping one home from the left corner. The pattern was set for an end-to-end exhibition offering the very best of the old game.

There was quality in touch and movement everywhere, with little between the sides. Bryan O’Mara, Robbie Ryan and Joe Caesar were leading the way for Holycross; the McGraths were everywhere for Loughmore.

Before the break, the teams would again swap goals. Mikey Nally had the ball in Loughmore’s net, but play was called back for a penalty, which Joe Caesar drilled home with some venom. That was the cue for an immediate Loughmore retaliation: John McGrath read the break perfectly to find space for another smashing finish.

A breathless first half ended with Holycross marginally ahead, but as the second half unfolded, they started edging clear. They took an early jolt when John McGrath hit his second goal – he’d finish with 2-8, 2-2 from play – but Darragh Woods quickly cancelled at the other end.

By the three-quarter stage, the scales had started to tilt decisively Holycross’s way. They had a greater scoring spread, with Eoin Craddock pitching in very effectively. They were moving with energy and pace, and the cracks began to appear for Loughmore, who were finding the heat too much. The lead was out to five entering the final quarter, and it was only going one way.

The cherry on the cake for Holycross was a brilliant individual goal from Robbie Ryan at the end. He ‘burned’ his marker out on the left flank and careered in before cracking home an unstoppable shot from an acute angle. Loughmore’s John Ryan picked up a red card for his part in that sequence of play.

The lead went out to ten points before Liam McGrath had a goal deep into injury time, one of no consolation whatsoever for Loughmore. It was a stunning second-half finale from Holycross.

It’s difficult to overstate the significance of the win for Holycross. All that huge potential has been well documented, but their form so far this year had been patchy. Loughmore, in particular, had become their arch nemesis, and to shake that particular monkey off their backs was a giant step forward. Now for the follow-up when they tackle J.K. Bracken’s next weekend.

A significant aspect of their win was the spread of scorers. Darragh Woods finished on 1-8 (1-3 from play), Robbie Ryan and Joe Caesar landed 1-4 apiece and Eoin Croddock tallied 0-4. Interestingly, 2-7 of their score came from defenders, and there was a little matter of 19 wides over the hour - wasteful, but at least they were getting shots away.

For Loughmore, it was simply a stretch too far. They ran out of juice in that second half against a younger, more vibrant side hellbent on avenging past defeats. It happens.

The other preliminary semi-final on Sunday suffered in comparison to the Saturday match. This was a dour, dogged and, at times, edgy affair where Nenagh Eire Og outstayed Clonoulty/Rossmore to book a quarter-final slot against Cashel K.C. next weekend.

Two excellent goals from Ben West set the early trend in Nenagh’s favour. The first came at the end of a penetrating solo run, and the second arrived courtesy of a deft one-handed flick when he slipped onto a break inside the cover. Otherwise, they depended on Mikey Heffernan for their meagre points tally.

Typically, Clonoulty dug in after those early reversals. Jack Ryan set up Stephen Ferncombe for a well-finished goal, and by half-time they were marginally ahead.

As a game, it remained scrappy in the second half, though the tightness kept interest alive. Two Stephen Ferncombe frees stretched Clonoulty’s lead on resuming, but thereafter their scoring returns were very slim, managing just a single Michael Ryan point from play in the entire second period. They were hanging on.

Jake Morris had to limp off early in the second half, and Nenagh too struggled for scores. It wasn’t until the 56th minute that a Sam O’Farrell free drew them level before Jake Donelan-Houlihan hit a huge free for the lead point. In the end, they did just enough to progress with late points from Sam O’Farrell and Sean Phelan.

Clonoulty were irked by a number of questionable decisions that went against them at a crucial stage, but against that, Nenagh hit 11 second-half wides, which reflected their greater shooting capacity.

Overall, Nenagh will sweat over the fitness of Jake Morris ahead of their quarter-final meeting with Cashel K.C. On Sunday’s evidence, where they managed a mere 0-4 from play over the hour, they certainly need their county star in full health if they are to challenge for ultimate honours.

For Clonoulty, a relegation semi-final against Mullinahone beckons, which is a disappointing outcome from a season that began encouragingly with a West win over Cashel and a group victory over Borris-Ileigh. Once more, their renowned battling qualities will be needed to retain their status.

Elsewhere, Boherlahan got over Silvermines in their preliminary quarter-final of the Premier Intermediate grade – but only just. A late, well-struck point by substitute Cathal Darcy proved the difference in a game that appeared to be heading for extra time.

1-1 from Paddy Gahan in the opening minutes gave Boherlahan the perfect launch, but then Jason Forde announced his presence with a well-finished goal. Full forward Danny Quinn had a second major for the ‘Mines shortly afterwards, and they led by four at the end of the opening quarter.

Goals were the crucial currency for Boherlahan. They had their second after 21 minutes when Euan Ryan did very well to flick home a James Kirby cross. They still trailed at half-time by a point, but shortly after resuming, Paddy Gahan finished his second major of the day. When Gahan completed his hat-trick on the three-quarter mark, the Mid team led by two points.

With Jason Forde getting all of Silvermines’ second-half scores - he landed 1-16 in total, 1-3 from play – the North side kept in touch. Michael Corcoran too was noticeable. Twice Forde levelled the match as the game drifted into injury time and extra time loomed. However, four minutes into additional time, Cathal Darcy became the hero with the match winner. Boherlahan could be grateful too for a fine save by Darragh Lacey late in the game when he denied full forward Danny Quinn.

And so, the stage is set for a weekend of fascinating quarter-finals. The Kiladangan/Moycarkey game will be a repeat of the 2024 quarter-final where the Mid side pulled off a shock win. A repeat result on Saturday next wouldn’t be such a surprise.

Sarsfields, second favourites now for the championship, will be fancied against Borris-Ileigh. They last clashed in a group round in 2023 when the Thurles side won handily.

Surprisingly, Cashel K.C. have drifted out to 10/1 in the betting. They’ll fancy their chances of repeating last year’s victory over Nenagh, especially if Jake Morris is absent.

Finally, Holycross, the bookies’ favourite since the start of the championship, will be short odds in their game against J.K. Brackens. A feast of activity awaits.

P.S. No gate checkers at the Clonoulty/Nenagh game, which was a costly lapse by whoever was responsible. That much didn’t bother the patrons, but the lack of a team sheet did. Someone has questions to answer.