Durlas Og overcome Holycross in Minor Final thriller

GAA: Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under Minor (Under 17) ‘A’ Hurling Final

Durlas Og 2-18

Holycross/Ballycahill 2-17

Report: Noel Dundon at Kenyon Park, Templederry

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Leelan O’Donoghue (Durlas Og)

SCORERS - Durlas Og: Eoin Webb 1-5 (0-4 frees); Cillian Minogue 1-1; Euan Murray (2 frees), Alex Coppinger 0-3 each; Leelan O’Donoghue, Darragh O’Dwyer 0-2 each; Kieran Rossiter, Keelan Dunne 0-1 each.

Holycross/Ballycahill: Sean Ryan 0-7 (5 frees); Eoghan Hickey 1-1; Tomy Maher 0-3 frees; Tadhg Nally 1-0; Jake Galvin, Tiernan Ryan, Zach O’Keeffe 0-2 each.

Durlas Og came from eleven points down to win a pulsating County Minor ‘A’ Hurling final on Saturday in a game for the ages which thrilled the large attendance.

A victory which did not seem likely at the end of the first quarter when they trailed 2-7 to 0-2, the Thurles lads slowly but surely dragged themselves back into contention with two goals in three minutes just before the interval turning the game from the direction in which it was heading.

Holycross/Ballycahill started in an absolute whirlwind and had 1-6 on the board within nine minutes – the goal coming from Eoghan Hickey in the fourth minute, and the points from the impressive Sean Ryan (3), Tony Maher, Jake Galvin and Tiernan Ryan.

Durlas Og looked as though they were in a total daze, but two Eoin Webb points got them off the mark, only for Tadhg Nally to blast a second Holycross goal after catching a long delivery from Tony Maher.

The problem from a Holycross/Ballycahill perspective was that they managed only two points for the remainder of the half, whereas Durlas Og found their rhythm and blasted 2-5 in the same period. Points from Leelan O’Donoghue and Alex Coppinger set the scene and when Cillian Minogue goaled in the 25th minute, followed by a second from Eoin Webb three minutes later, it was game on.

Then Euan Murray, Kieran Rossiter and Alex Coppinger pointed for Durlas Og with only a Zach O’Keeffe point for Holycross breaking the sequence. So, having been eleven points down, Durlas Og went in at half time only 2-10 to 2-7 in arrears, and they would have the wind at their backs for the second half. It certainly looked like the initiative was with them.

Another twist in this game saw a Zach O’Keeffe goal for Holycross/Ballycahill ruled out for square ball a minute after resumption and goal chances for Aaron Darmody and Alex Coppinger were beaten away by Holycross keeper Harry Bourke before Sean Ryan pointed.

Durlas Og were coming strong though and points from Darragh O’Dwyer (2) and Leelan O’Donoghue left just one in it – Holycross/Ballycahill responding through Tiernan Ryan and Sean Ryan to open up a three point lead again. Euan Murray and Tony Maher traded points, but three in succession from Eoin Webb tied up the game and at this stage there appeared to be only one winner in sight.

But, Holycross/Ballycahill did not read the script and though Durlas Og went in front through Alex Coppinger and Keelan Dunne points, Eoin Hickey replied with the score of the game – a beautiful point after catching, shaking off his man and pointing.

Cillian Minogue had another for Durlas Og just before Harry Bourke made an incredible save from Aaron Darmody to keep the game alive – Eoin Webb pointing from the resultant 65 metre free.

A three point game again, Holycross/Ballycahill hit back with two frees from Sean Ryan to leave one in it and then came strong in search of an extra time forcing equaliser. They had chances to tie the game but had to witness a Cathal Ryan free from a very difficult position going agonisingly wide.

Durlas Og had survived the late onslaught and the victory was celebrated with great gusto. It had been an incredible comeback against a very game and up-for-it Holycross/Ballycahill for whom Tony Maher, Cathal O’Reilly, Sean Ryan, Tiernan Ryan, Daire Ryan, Zack O’Keeffe and Eoghan Hickey were key men.

For Durlas Og though, the showing of midfielder Leelan O’Donoghue was from the top drawer and he was ably assisted by Alex Coppinger, Darragh O’Dwyer, Eoin Webb, Cillian Minogue and Euan Murray who worked all over the field, especially when Holycross/Ballycahill were on top.

TEAMS - Durlas Og: Jamie Stapleton; James Lloyd, Rory O’Dwyer, Andy Rossiter; Bill Fogarty, Kieran Rossiter, Evan Nolan; Leelan O’Donoghue, Keelan Dunne; Darragh O’Dwyer, Alex Coppinger, Aaron O’Donoghue; Eoin Webb, Euan Murray, Cillian Minogue.

Holycross/Ballycahill: Harry Bourke; Tadhg Ryan, Daire Ryan, Cathal Ryan; Tadhg Burke, Cathal O’Reilly, Tony Maher; Tiernan Ryan, Jake Galvin; Liam Costello, Sean Ryan, Sam Doyle; Zach O’Keeffe, Tadhg Nally, Eoghan Hickey.

Sub: Alex Maher for Costello (42).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams).