Controversy reigns as scoreboard error cost Holycross/Ballycahill

Loughmore/Castleiney 1-27

Holycross/Ballycahill 3-20

By Noel Dundon in Boherlahan

Controversy reigned in Boherlahan on Saturday evening in round 2 of the County Senior Hurling Championship when a scoreboard error led chasers Holycross/Ballycahill to believe there were two points between themselves and Loughmore/Castleiney, as they lobbed in a last gasp free.

In fact, there was just a point between them, and free-taker Jim Ryan would have been odds-on to tie up what had been a fine contest and deservedly share the spoils for his side had he taken the point rather than launching a Hail Mary effort into the crowded square.

Mind you, those Hail Mary efforts had yielded rich dividends in a first half in which Holycross/Ballycahill pilfered three goals to take a 3-19 to 1-12 interval lead to the dressing room, having played breeze assisted.

Their first goal after five minutes from the excellent Cathal Barrett, who operated at centre forward, followed a long delivery from keeper Ewan Bourke. And, twenty minutes later Bourke was again provider when Joe Caesar got on the end of one of his deliveries and steered the ball home with an overhead flick.

Holycross/Ballycahill led all the way through the half with Barrett in great form – he finished with 1-6 to his name while Eoin Craddock, Ben Hennessy and Darragh Woods (0-5) were all on target. But Loughmore/Castleiney were lurking menacingly and John McGrath (0-7 – one from play), Philip O’Connell, Liam McGrath, and Ciaran McCormack (2) were all on the scoreboard too.

Holycross/Ballycahill were four up with a minute of normal time to go when Darragh Woods bagged their third goal, again after a breaking ball, but no sooner had he clenched his fist in celebration, than the ball was in the net at the other end of the field – Philip O’Connell racing through to set up Ed Connolly who finished well.

A three point lead then for Holycross/Ballycahill at half time – they would have taken that at the start of the game, but having been seven up at one stage, they probably felt a bit hard done by.

Loughmore/Castleiney came out firing on all cylinders in the second half and they hit six of the first seven points from Philip O’Connell, Ed Connolly, Liam McGrath, John McGrath (2) and Noel McGrath to go two in front.

The sides were level on four occasions between then and the final whistle with Joe Caesar and Darragh Woods tying the game in the 45th minute and again in the 45th and 51st minutes – John McGrath edging Loughmore/Castleiney in front on all occasions.

Ciaran McGrath was introduced, and his double blast ensured that he would be the fifth McGrath on the scoresheet joining Noel, John, Liam, and Tomas in the stakes. But Cathal Barrett finished very strong for Holycross/Ballycahill and his leadership at the head of the attack proved invaluable – he bagged three points near the end to go along with one from Bryan O’Mara, thereby cancelling Liam & Ciaran McGraths efforts.

The victors were one in front then as the game slipped into injury time and the 65 awarded to Holycross/Ballycahill, would have tied the game had it yielded a point. But the scoreboard said otherwise despite the shouts of protest from the stands to linesman Kevin Jordan who shrugged his shoulders -Jim Ryan elected to lob in the free in search of a goal but Loughmore/Castleiney cleared their lines and survived a huge test of their credentials.

The enormity of the scenario did not emerge until after the game had ended – the error proving to be a game-changer and one which could have huge implications for the outcome of the group.

Player of the Match: Cathal Barrett (Holycross/Ballycahill)

Loughmore/Castleiney: Micheal McGrath (6), Lorcan Egan (6), Willie Eviston (7), Darragh McCahey (6), John Ryan (6), Brian McGrath (7), Tommy Maher (6), Ed Meagher (6), Tomas McGrath (0-1, 6), Ed Connolly (1-1, 7), Liam McGrath (0-3, 8), Noel McGrath (0-3, 9), Philip O’Connell (0-2, 8), John McGrath (0-12 10f, 9), Ciaran McCormack (0-3, 8).

Subs: Ciaran McGrath (0-2, 8) for O’Connell (50); Liam Treacy (NR) for Connolly (55).

Holycross/Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke (6), Gavin Dunne (6), Conor Ryan (6), Jimmy Ryan (7); Michael Doyle (6), Bryan O’Mara (0-1f, 6), Jim Ryan (7), Eoin Craddock (0-1, 8), Shane Ryan (6), Ben Hennessy (0-1, 6), Cathal Barrett (1-6, 0-1f, 9), James Woods (6), Darragh Woods (1-9, 0-8f, 6), Aidan Stakelum (6), Joe Caesar (1-2, 8).

Subs: Jimmy Lahart (6) for J Woods (45); Jack Ryan (6) for S Ryan (50); Jack Dwan (NR) for D Woods (57); Tadhg Gould (NR) for Hennessy (59).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).