Robbie Ryan runs riot as Holycross Ballycahill storm into Mid U21A hurling final

Revel At The Ragg Mid U21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Holycross Ballycahill 2-28

Moycarkey Borris 3-12

Holycross Ballycahill reaffirmed their credentials as county championship favourites with a ruthless display in Littleton on Sunday afternoon, comfortably accounting for Moycarkey Borris to book their place in another Mid U21A Hurling Championship final.

Robbie Ryan was the standout performer, producing an exhibition of scoring with 17 points, six from play, as the reigning Mid and County champions delivered a far more convincing performance than their narrow quarter-final victory over Boherlahan Dualla.

In truth, this contest was effectively over after 22 minutes, with Holycross racing into an astonishing 0-11 to 0-1 lead as Moycarkey struggled to contain their opponents' movement and attacking quality.

Ryan was simply unplayable during the opening exchanges, hitting four points from play inside eight minutes, with his pace and elusiveness causing endless problems for the Moycarkey defence.

Tadhg Ryan and Evan Morris also contributed as Holycross established complete control, while Moycarkey were their own worst enemies, registering nine first-half wides.

The contrast in efficiency was stark, with Holycross making the most of almost every opportunity and Ryan punishing indiscretions from virtually anywhere on the field.

John Fitzgerald was one of the few bright sparks for Moycarkey, and his goal in the 22nd minute offered some encouragement, but it did little to halt the Holycross momentum.

Further points from Robbie Ryan, a brace from Jimmie Lahart and a magnificent Eoghan Hickey effort stretched the advantage once again.

The decisive blow arrived on the stroke of half-time when Robbie Ryan produced another brilliant catch before flicking the sliotar into the path of Tiarnan Ryan, who finished clinically to the net.

Holycross consequently entered the interval with a commanding 1-17 to 1-3 advantage, leaving Moycarkey facing an almost impossible task.

To their credit, Moycarkey emerged with renewed determination and claimed 1-3 of the opening six scores after the restart.

Bill Flanagan opened their second-half account before David Costigan, repositioned at full-forward, finished a long delivery to the net.

Excellent long-range points from Killian Cantwell and Fitzgerald further reduced the deficit, leaving Moycarkey trailing 1-19 to 2-6 after 37 minutes.

However, that was as close as they would get.

Holycross regained control, with Tiarnan Ryan, Hickey and Tadhg Ryan all contributing as the champions continued to punish Moycarkey's defensive shortcomings.

By the 54th minute, Holycross had stretched their advantage to 1-27 to 2-11, although Moycarkey continued battling admirably.

Fitzgerald grabbed his second goal in the 55th minute after James O'Dwyer produced an excellent save to deny Flanagan, the rebound falling kindly for the Moycarkey attacker to steer into the bottom corner.

O'Dwyer was called into action again in the closing stages, producing another important save to deny Jack Hayes from close range in the 59th minute.

However, Holycross had the final say.

A late Robbie Ryan free was followed by a second Holycross goal with the final play, as Tiarnan Ryan reacted quickest after Darragh Patterson had produced a brilliant save, pulling the rebound into the net to complete his personal tally of 2-3.

It was a fitting conclusion to an emphatic performance from Holycross, whose attacking firepower and clinical finishing proved far too much for their opponents.

They now advance to face JK Brackens in the Mid final, with another divisional title firmly in their sights.

Scorers: Holycross Ballycahill: Robbie Ryan (0-17, 0-10f, 0-1 65), Tiarnan Ryan 2-3, Eoghan Hickey, Tadgh Ryan, Jimmie Lahart all 0-2 each, Evan Morris, Sean Ryan 0-1 each.

Moycarkey Borris: John Fitzgerald 2-2, David Costigan 1-1, Jack Hayes 0-2f, Killian Cantwell (0-2, 0-1f), Joe Egan 0-2, Conor Doherty 0-1f, Bill Flanagan, Sean Lanphier 0-1 each.

Holycross Ballycahill: James O’Dwyer; Cathal O’Reilly, Seanie McGrath, Cian Ryan; Cathal Ryan, Tony Maher, Evan Morris; Jake Galvin, Jack Lahart; Tadhg Ryan, Tiarnan Ryan, Jimmie Lahart; Eoghan Hickey, Robbie Ryan, Sean Ryan.

Subs used: Daire Ryan for Cathal Ryan (43); Zach O’Keeffe for Hickey (48); Audie Lohan for Morris (51); Tadhg Bourke for Galvin (59).

Moycarkey Borris: Darragh Patterson; Daniel Hayes, Darragh O’Dwyer, Cillian Doran; Liam Corcoran, Killian Cantwell, Sean Lanphier; Richie Maher, Tom Ryan; John Fitzgerald, Joe Egan, Eamon Ryan; Jack Hayes, David Costigan, Bill Flanagan.

Subs used: Sean Maher for R Maher (HT); Conor Doherty for E Ryan (48).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)