Classy Holycross prove too good for Kilruane in Minor Hurling semi-final
GAA: Tipperary Coiste na nOg Minor 'A' Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Holycross/Ballycahill 3-22
Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-15
Report: Liam Hogan at Bishop Quinlan Park, Borrisoleigh
A more clinical Holycross/Ballycahill side had that bit too much for North champions Kilruane MacDonaghs in the second County Minor ‘A’ Hurling semi-final on Sunday.
Playing with the breeze in the first half they overcame a slow start to claim a 0-13 to 0-7 half time lead. Two goals inside the opening ten minutes of the second half saw the margin out to fifteen but Kilruane, who had a lot of possession, finally breached the Holycross defence when cutting the lead to nine with two late goals but the Mid side had done enough to survive.
Similar to the first semi-final, this tie had real talent with All-Ireland winning captain Cathal O’Reilly and Tiernan Ryan providing the backbone to the Holycross defence with Tadhg Ryan, Tony Maher, and Jake Galvin, three members of the Tipperary Celtic Challenge team providing great assistance. Five of the starting six forwards scored including fifteen-year-old Zach O’Keefe and Eoghan Hickey, the latter was excellent at corner forward and produced a man of the match performance.
Kilruane MacDonaghs had their moments with Jack Quinlisk, Paul Molloy, Cormac Kennedy, and Cormac Gaynor doing all they could to stem the tide. Shane Cleary covered at lot of ground at midfield while his partner Tommy Burins was solid with Michael Cleary their best forward.
The sides managed a point each before Holycross took a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside the opening fifteen minutes. Kilruane’s score came from Michael Cleary and already the wing forward was causing much worry for the Mid side but they had five wides and attempts for points for long distance were fell short due to the breeze.
The Holycross defence deserved credit also as Cathal O’Reilly kept a close eye on things at centre back with Tony Maher and Daire Ryan always on hand to cut off any threat and their supply paved the way for five unanswered points in three minutes with Eoghan Hickey, Tiernan Ryan, Sean Ryan plus two more delightful points from the very skilful Eoghan Hickey.
But Kilruane continued to press and were rewarded with two quickfire points by Charlie Kennedy and Michael Cleary in the 23rd minute. Holycross did likewise with wing back Tony Maher and midfielder Jake Galvin to regain their seven point advantage, but Kilruane responded as Michael Cleary and Tommy Burris bisected the posts in the 27th minute.
Kilruane created some danger as Tommy O’Meara bore down on goal but was dispossessed which led to Cathal O’Reilly racing outfield linking up with three players he was at the end of the sequence before scoring brilliantly inside half way. At double scores 0-12 to 0-6, Holycross looked good, but they conceded one more score before the break thanks to a Michael Cleary free (his fifth) after a foul on Charlie Kennedy.
Backed by the breeze, Kilruane hope was to cut the deficit, but they suffered an early setback when Holycross outscored them 1-2 to 0-1 in four minutes with the goal, a piece of brilliance from fifteen-year-old Zach O’Keeffe who weaved past two Kilruane defenders.
The excellent Shane Cleary reduced the margin to nine, but Holycross possessed real class with excellent points from Eoghan Hickey, and midfielder Jake Galvin before O’Keeffe doubled his goals tally with a blast from a tight angle.
Ray Quinlivan and Eoghan Hickey traded points as the teams went score for score with Hickey making it 2-21 to 0-12 with twelve minutes remaining.
Things looked bleak for Kilruane, but they never gave up and in the 49th minute Michael Cleary took advantage of loose marking to firing home a great goal.
The three pointer was the start of a Kilruane’s best second half period with Michael Hennelly and Shane Cleary (free) before Sean Ryan broke the sequence for Holycross in the 52nd minute.
Four minutes later, Ryan was involved again, linking up with Sam Doyle to score Holycross’ third goal.
Michael Cleary replied with a goal for Kilruane, but the game was well out of reach as Holycross/Ballycahill had their sights on the final against Durlas Og next weekend.
Player of the Match: Eoghan Hickey (Holycross/Ballycahill)
Holycross/Ballycahill: Harry Bourke; Tadgh Ryan, Daire Ryan, Cathal Ryan; Tadhg O’Rourke, Cathal O’Reilly (0-1), Tony Maher (0-2, 1 ‘65); Tiernan Ryan, Jake Galvin (0-4); Liam Costello (0-1), Sean Ryan (1-3), Sam Doyle (0-1); Zach O’Keeffe (2-0), Tadhg Nally, Eoghan Hickey (0-8, 2f).
Subs: Alex Maher for T Ryan (53); Seamie Dwan for Doyle (57); Leo Ryan for Nally (60).
Kilruane MacDonaghs: Andrew Austin; Jack Quinlisk, Fearghal Doheny, Cathal McIntyre; Paul Molloy, Shane Cleary (0-3, 1f), Cormac Gaynor; Tommy Burris (0-1), Cormac Kennedy; Cillian Healy, Johnny Naughnane, Michael Cleary (2-7, 0-4f); Charlie Kennedy (0-1), Tommy O’Meara, Michael Hennelly (0-1).
Subs: Ray Quinlivan (0-1) for Kennedy (42); Fiachradh Ahearne Woods (0-1) for Naughnane (42); Dara O’Looney for Hennelly (53); William Jones for McIntyre (57).
Referee: Kevin Jordon (Thurles Gaels).