Holycross Ballycahill survive almighty scare as late drama breaks Boherlahan Dualla hearts

Mid U21A Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Holycross Ballycahill 3-16

Boherlahan Dualla 1-21

Holycross Ballycahill's defence of their Mid and County Under-21 A hurling titles survived an almighty scare at Boherlahan on Saturday, as two late points from Tíarnán Ryan and Robbie Ryan rescued the reigning champions from the jaws of defeat.

In excellent playing conditions, a determined Boherlahan Dualla side produced a spirited, quality, resilient performance and looked poised to cause a major upset when they led by the minimum approaching the hour mark.

However, the champions found a way to survive, with Tíarnán Ryan firing over a crucial equaliser from play before Robbie Ryan converted the winning free to secure a dramatic one-point victory.

Boherlahan began brightly, with Paddy Gahan and Aaron Toomey registering early points, but the first of three Holycross goals arrived in the eighth minute when Robbie Ryan found the net.

Eoghan Hickey added a second goal three minutes later, and the defending champions had established a significant advantage despite Boherlahan enjoying plenty of possession and creating opportunities.

Conor Fogarty was proving particularly effective for Boherlahan, both from placed balls and open play, while Gahan was a constant threat in attack.

Points from Tíarnán Ryan, Sean Ryan, Hickey and Robbie Ryan kept the Holycross scoreboard moving, but Boherlahan refused to allow their opponents to pull away.

Fogarty continued to punish indiscipline, while Ben Kirby's point deep into first-half additional time reduced the deficit to three points at the break.

Half-time: Holycross Ballycahill 2-7 Boherlahan Dualla 0-10.

The second half developed into a tremendous contest, with Boherlahan refusing to wilt despite the considerable challenge facing them.

Eoin Kennedy contributed two valuable points from play, while Fogarty remained exceptionally reliable from the placed ball.

When Robbie Ryan struck his second goal of the afternoon, 12 minutes after the restart, Holycross appeared to have delivered the decisive blow.

The goal stretched their advantage to six points, 3-10 to 0-13, and the champions looked well positioned to progress.

However, Boherlahan had other ideas.

Inspired by the outstanding Paddy Gahan, they began to reel in the deficit, with Fogarty adding further points and Kennedy continuing to contribute.

The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute of the second half when Gahan found the Holycross net, completing a remarkable comeback and bringing the sides level at 3-11 to 1-17.

Eoghan Hickey and substitute Zach O'Keeffe kept Holycross ticking over, but Boherlahan responded through Charlie Ryan, substitute Rory Crosse and the influential Fogarty.

A late Fogarty free edged Boherlahan into a one-point lead, leaving the reigning champions facing elimination as the clock moved beyond the regulation 60 minutes.

Tíarnán Ryan landed a vital point, one-handed, from play to restore parity before Robbie Ryan held his nerve to convert the free that ultimately separated the sides.

Boherlahan had one final opportunity from a placed ball deep into additional time, but the effort drifted wide, bringing an extraordinary contest to its conclusion.

Robbie Ryan finished with 2-7, while Eoghan Hickey contributed 1-4, the pair accounting for 20 of Holycross's 25 points.

For Boherlahan, Gahan was exceptional with 1-3, while Fogarty's 0-12 underlined his importance to a side that pushed the champions all the way.

Holycross advance to play Moycarkey/Borris in the semi-final, with JK Brackens awaiting the winners, but they will know they escaped a serious examination. Boherlahan, meanwhile, can take enormous credit for a performance that came agonisingly close to ending the champions' reign.

Holycross Ballycahill: James O'Dwyer; Cathal O'Reilly, Seanie McGrath, Cian Ryan; Tadgh Bourke, Tony Maher (0-1), Daire Ryan; Jake Galvin, Josh Lahart; Tadgh Ryan, Tíarnán Ryan (0-2), Jimmy Lahart; Eoghan Hickey (1-4), Robbie Ryan (2-7, 0-4f), Sean Ryan (0-1).

Subs used: Zach O'Keeffe (0-1); Cathal Ryan.

Boherlahan Dualla: Tommy Breen; Brian Gleeson, Ross Darcy, Flann Ivers; Conor Kennedy, Eugene O'Dwyer, Robbie Darcy; Bobby Power, Eoin Kennedy (0-2); Conor Fogarty (0-12, 0-10f), Charlie Ryan (0-1), Aaron Toomey (0-1); Ben Kirby (0-1), Paddy Gahan (1-3), Sean Burke.

Subs used: Rory Crosse (0-1).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens)