Toome and Roscrea march on after gripping encounter

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Group 2

Toomevara 1-20

Roscrea 1-18

Report: Shane Brophy in Borrisoleigh

Toomevara and Roscrea left Borrisoleigh satisfied on Saturday evening having both booked their places in the knockout stages of the County Senior Hurling Championship from group 2, despite the Rossie’s having suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

But it was oh so tight as for periods in the second half when Moycarkey had a considerable lead over Kilruane at the same time in nearby Templederry and Roscrea fell four behind in this contest, they were facing a championship exit on score difference but a late surge by themselves, plus a helping hand from Kilruane, saw them scrape through in second place.

To have reached the knockout stages in their first year back at senior level after promotion is a huge step forward for Roscrea who played their part in a gripping game which went to the wire, but Toomevara were full value for their win which completed a perfect group stage campaign and secured passage to the county quarter finals.

The greyhounds are purring along nicely under first year manager Ken Dunne, and despite getting off to a slow start on Saturday, grew into the game and it was their greater ability to get scores from play which was the difference in the game, outscoring their local rivals 1-14 to 1-10 in that regard.

Roscrea’s possession style is effective when it works but it brings its risks and that was born out in the concession of the second half goal to Jack Delaney which turned the game in Toome’s favour, a pass across their own half back line and a poor touch by Evan Fitzpatrick allowed Jake Ryan to intercept and he ran on before playing in Delaney who blasted to the net in the 40th minute.

Toome slipped 1-3 to 0-1 behind after twelve minutes with Alan Tynan finishing a super Roscrea move out of defence when their game-plan worked perfectly. The early going was stop-start, but Toome quickly got into their groove and rattled off five unanswered points to level on twenty minutes with Kevin McCarthy to the fore with two from play.

Luke Cashin nudged Roscrea back in front with two frees with Jack Delaney opening his account with a classy point and McCarthy adding his third. Conor Dooley came to the fore with an assist for Evan Fitzpatrick and then pointed himself as the quality of the game improved with Mark McCarthy having a strong finish to the half for Toome with three points, including one from a sideline cut as his side held a slender 0-12 to 1-8 lead at half time.

The teams went score for score early in the second half with Shane Fletcher and another Cashin free nudging Roscrea in front but the concession of the goal to Jack Delaney on forty minutes set them back and with Darragh McCarthy (free) and impressive sub Sean Flaherty pointing, Toome were four in front when ten minutes remaining.

Roscrea were struggling for scores and had to go to plan B via the direct route and the arrival of Sam Conlon gave them a presence at the edge of the square as he won a free which Cashin pointed with Dan Ryan getting his second from play.

However, Toome were always able to keep the scoreboard ticking over at the other end with Darragh McCarthy (free) and Flaherty on target again and were still four to the good on 56 minutes when Roscrea were awarded a penalty after sub Jason Gilmartin was fouled. Roscrea joint-captain Daryl Ryan came up from the goals, but his well-struck shot was brilliantly touched over the bar by his opposite number Rory Brislane.

However, Roscrea kept coming and Conlon reduced the margin to two but Jack Delaney and a third from Flaherty pushed Toome four clear in added time with late points from Luke Cashin and Evan Fitzpatrick proving ultimately crucial as the two-point losing margin was enough for Roscrea to progress to the knockout stages.

Player of the Match: Josh McCarthy (Toomevara)

Toomevara: Rory Brislane (8); Liam Ryan (7), Andrew Ryan (8), Seamus O’Farrell (7); Jake Ryan (7), Josh McCarthy (9), Robbie Quirke (8); Jack Ryan (6), Darren Delaney (0-1, 7); Kevin McCarthy (0-3, 8), Shane Nolan (0-2f, 6), Mark McCarthy (0-5, 1 s-cut) 8); Colm Canning (6), Jack Delaney (1-3, 8), Darragh McCarthy (0-3f, 7).

Subs: Adam Hall (6) for Jack Ryan (37); Sean Flaherty (0-3, 9) for Canning (42); Paddy Grace (6) for Nolan (51); Joshua Powell (NR) for O’Farrell (58); Joey McLoughney (NR) for D Delaney (60+2).

Roscrea: Daryl Ryan (0-1 pen, 7); Glen Loughnane (8), Shane Davis (7), Luke Seacy (0-1, 7); Darragh Tynan (6), Darren O’Connor (7), Conor Sheedy (0-1, 7); Dan Ryan (0-2, 7), Kenny Lee (6); Alan Tynan (1-0, 7), James Synott (6), Evan Fitzpatrick (0-2, 7); Shane Fletcher (0-1, 7), Conor Dooley (0-1, 6), Luke Cashin (0-8f, 6).

Subs: Sam Conlon (0-1, 7) for Dooley (46); Jason Gilmartin (6) for Lee (53).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).