Returning Callanan helps Drom into Division 1 Final

By Liam Hogan

DIVISION 1

Drom & Inch 3-16 Borris-Ileigh 0-16

Seamus Callanan had a hand in all three goals as Drom & Inch defeated great rivals Borris-Ileigh in the County Hurling League Division 1 semi-final in Borrisoleigh on Saturday.

The Tipperary forward was just back from a lengthy layoff due to injury and there is no doubt but the former 2019 All-Ireland winning captain looked as fresh as he has ever been.

Callanan operated around the forty and he had a point on the board in the fifth minute as Drom went 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. It was 0-6 to 0-3 after Tommy Nolan scored in the 15th minute before Drom’s next attack saw Callanan win possession outside the Borris twenty metre line before he picked out an unmarked Tony Cahill who made no mistake from close range.

Goalkeeper Eoin Collins moved Drom seven in front with an accurate long range free before Borris-Ileigh decided to get stuck in. The home-side were short eight regulars but three points (two frees and one from play) by Brendan Maher reduced the deficit to five but a hungrier Drom side increased their led to six by half time, 1-10 to 0-7.

Maher was equally as good as Callanan and the 2016 Tipperary All-Ireland winning captain scored four points on the trot (including 2 frees) to reduce the margin to two, 1-10 to 0-11. A Jack Lillis free put three points separating the teams. Substitute Dan McCormack reduced it to two once more before Tommy Nolan won a Callanan clearance and found the net in the 42nd minute.

Drom went eight clear before points by Maher (free) and Liam Ryan left two goals separating the teams before Nolan grabbed his second goal to seal the deal and bring his personal total to 2-2 while Jack Lillis scored five points from frees and Seamus Callanan contributed three from play. Fintan Purcell and Podge Campion were excellent for Drom while Borris-Ileigh had to thank Brendan Maher for his effort with the former Tipp star enjoying 0-11 (6 from frees). Ciaran Cowan never gave up at full back for Borris.

The second semi-final between Toomevara v Clonoulty/Rossmore was played last evening (Tuesday) with Clonoulty progressing to the final, after extra time.

DIVISION 2

Moycarkey/Borris 2-22 Roscrea 0-15

Moycarkey/Borris travelled to Roscrea and pulled off a big victory over the home side in this division 2 semi-final on Sunday afternoon.

The winners led 0-9 to 0-7 at half time and with the help of a Jack Fallon goal in the 32nd minute they pulled away with Kieran Morris supplying the second goal in the 55th minute. Eleven Moycarkey players scored with Kieran Morris scoring 1-9 (0-7 frees) and Jack Fallon scoring 1-2

The second semi-final between Eire Og Annacarty and Gortnahoe/Glengoole will be played next Saturday 4th June.

DIVISION 3

Ballina 2-30 Lorrha 5-20 AET

Ballina progressed to the County Hurling League Division 3 Final as David Kelly’s point in the final minute of extra time saw them edge out Lorrha in a thrilling see-saw semi-final at Tony Reddin Park, Lorrha on Sunday.

After an even opening quarter, it was the visitors who forged a six-point half time lead, 0-12 to 0-6, with county man Michael Breen to the fore and he finished with eleven points, five from play from centre forward, with Conor Maguire also impressive.

Lorrha made a number of changes at half time, including springing Patrick Maher from the bench and he helped stage a revival as they rattled off six points on the spin to draw level.

An Eoghan Power goal on the three-quarter mark helped Ballina reopen a five-point lead but goals in quick succession from Cian Hogan and sub Donnacha O’Meara brought Lorrha back into the contest, however, they trailed in added time when Ciaran Haugh landed one of four points from play to send the game into extra time.

Lorrha blitzed Ballina for three goals in the first period of extra time from Hogan, Colm Fogarty (1-7 in total) and Patrick Maher, and could have had a fourth with Ballina goalkeeper Martin McKeogh denying Fogarty.

Lorrha led 5-18 to 1-24 at the change of ends and Niall McIntyre score pushed them seven clear. Ballina needed inspiration and got it with the help of Jack Collins goal, as part of a personal tally of 1-3 as they reeled in a tiring home side with David Kelly proving to be the match-winner with a long-range effort, as part of a four-point haul from the impressive midfielder.

Burgess 1-20 Sean Treacys 0-20 (AET)

Extra time was the order of the day in Division 3 as Burgess, who defeated Silvermines in a play-off last Tuesday progressed to meet Ballina in the final. Eoin Hogan’s goal in the 40th minute was the difference between the sides.

DIVISION 4

Borrisokane 1-20 Skeheenarinky 0-14

Borrisokane travelled to far away Ballyporeen on Sunday and pulled away from Skeheenarinky in the second half to secure a place in the division 4 final.

They entered the game as slight favourites but found the home side a tough nut to crack. Scores were level for the fourth time when Philip Austin made it 0-5 each after sixteen minutes.

The second quarter was kinder to Borrisokane as they hit five unanswered points with two from Conor Ryan with Oisin Larkin (free), Mikey Kelly and Garry Ryan on target. Skeheenarinky cut the deficit to two by the half hour mark before Philip Austin scored the game’s only goal to see the Northmen five clear at half time 1-10 to 0-8.

Skeheenarinky came within four points of the leaders as they outscored Borrisokane 0-4 to 0-3 in the third quarter, but Borrisokane had the greater scoring power and they increased their lead with Liam Dooley, Garry Ryan and Oisin Larkin on target as Skeheenarinky never managed to draw near their rivals in the final stages.

Oisin Larkin was Borrisokane’s top scorer with 0-6 (all frees) with Philip Austin scoring 1-2. Conor Ryan picked up four points from play while Dylan Power, Garry Ryan Mikey Kelly, Liam Dooley Jack Larkin, and Liam Cleary got on the scoresheet.

Moyle Rovers 0-20 Boherlahan-Dualla 2-12

Eleven points from Dara Ryan helped Moyle Rovers survive a second half comeback by Boherlahan after the sides met in the Division 4 semi-final in Boherlahan on Sunday.

Ryan scored six points in the first half and Anthony Phelan scored two as Moyle Rovers raced into a 0-12 to 0-4 half time lead. However, Boherlahan staged a comeback and goals from James Kirby in the 35th and James Murphy in the 50th saw them level at 0-15 to 2-9.

Scores were level for the third time in the second half at 0-17 to 2-11 before Ryan scored three points to seal a two-point victory.

DIVISION 5

Upperchurch/Drombane 3-22 Mullinahone 0-9

Upperchurch/Drombane were much too strong for Mullinahone in Drombane on Sunday to progress to a Division 5 final against Clonoulty/Rossmore.

DIVISION 6

Knockshegowna 3-16 Solohead 1-17

Knockshegowna overcame a slow start to defeat Solohead in Monard and win a place in the Division 6 final.

Solohead got off to a good start, but Knockshe recovered as goals by Michael Cleary and Paul Kennedy helped them to a 2-6 to 1-7 half time lead. Knockshe had Michael Kennedy sent off mid-way in the second half, but they held out to win after points by Michael Egan and a goal by Mark O’Meara.

Thurles Gaels received a walkover from Killea in the other semi-final.