Toome finish strongly to claim vital win

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Group 3

Toomevara 2-18

Holycross-Ballycahill 0-20

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Toomevara put in a powerful finish, outscoring rivals Holycross-Ballycahill seven points to one in the last ten minutes, to take the honours in this County Senior Hurling Championship clash on Saturday.

It was an impressive finishing flourish by the Greyhounds, and puts them in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals having drawn their opening game against Mullinahone.

Toomevara learned from that game, having been caught late when victory was in their grasp, and this time they left nothing to chance sweeping emphatically past their Mid Tipp rivals.

Next up for Toome is a clash with Upperchurch-Drombane and on the evidence of this encounter, they will look forward to it with justifiable confidence. Granted their cause was helped by two defensive lapses which presented them with their first half goals, but Toome took the chances when they came their way, their pressuring of the Holycross defence creating the openings.

Holycross, with the breeze behind them, opened in lively fashion. Free-taker Darragh Woods was on his game as they went 0-3 to 0-2 clear but in the eighth minute, Conor O’Meara netted for Toome after David Young’s persistence created the chance.

The Mid men responded with four unanswered points to hit the front, 0-7 to 1-2, by the end of a lively opening quarter. They were 0-11 to 1-5 in front when David Young received from Mark McCarthy and notched Toome’s second goal. With Jack Delaney hitting three first half points Toome reached the interval on level terms, 2-7 to 0-13, having played second fiddle for much of the half.

With the wind to aid them on resuming, the advantage lay with Toome but Holycross were not going to roll over easily. Points from Luke O’Mara and Darragh Woods nudged them ahead but Toome then had four points without reply through Mark McCarthy (3 frees) and Jack Delaney. However, at the three-quarter mark it was all square, 0-17 to 2-11.

When Seanie Nally was fouled in the 49th minute, Holycross were awarded a penalty but Toome goalie Rory Brislane brilliantly saved Darragh Woods’ effort, a crucial moment, particularly as Holycross quickly added two points to go 0-19 to 2-11 clear. Had Holycross got the goal from the penalty, it would have given them a huge advantage facing into the closing minutes.

Instead, Toomevara moved up a gear. Sub Adam Hall hit two points and Mark McCarthy pointed a free to put Toome 2-14 to 0-19 in front with four minutes to play. Darren Delaney signalled his arrival with another Toome point, to which Jack Delaney and Mark McCarthy added as a rampant Toome pushed four clear, with the game moving into added time.

Mikie Joe Doyle had a rallying point for Holycross but there was only one team in it now and Darren Delaney signed off on the Toome win with their final point four minutes into injury time.

The finishing flourish gave Toomevara players, mentors and supporters a great lift and indicated the progress the team is making as the year evolves. Not among the favourites for the title, they could yet have a big say in its destination. There is room for improvement but there is enough quality in the side to achieve that.

Jack Delaney had a fine outing hitting five points from play. Mark McCarthy’s free-taking was important. David Young was an effective target-man up front while Andrew Ryan and Liam Ryan were rock solid at the heart of the defence. Subs Darren Delaney and Adam Hall made significant contributions when introduced.

After two defeats, Holycross-Ballycahill are facing into a relegation battle but a win over Mullinahone in their final group game will save them.

Bryan O’Mara was back at the heart of their defence and surely impressed new county manager Liam Cahill who was present, with his performance. Darragh Woods was their top marksman with ten points, seven from frees. Luke O’Mara, David Fogarty, Jamie Woods, goalie Ewan Bourke, and Seanie Nally were others to work hard for the Holycross cause.

Player of the Match: Jack Delaney (Toomevara)

Toomevara: Rory Brislane (7); Jake Ryan (6), Andrew Ryan (7), Josh McCarthy (6); Robbie Quirke (6), Liam Ryan (7), Jason Ryan (6); Jack Ryan (6), Jack Delaney (0-5, 9); Alan Ryan (0-1, 6), Kenneth Ryan (0-1, 6), Conor O’Meara (1-2, 7); Kevin McCarthy (0-1, 6), David Young (1-0, 7), Mark McCarthy (0-5f, 6).

Subs: Adam Hall (0-2, 7) for A Ryan (20); Joey McLoughney (6) for K Ryan (36); Darren Delaney (0-2, 7) for Young (48); Conor Canning (6) for Jack Ryan (51).

Holycross-Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke (0-1f, 7); Gavin Dunne (6), Cathal Barrett (6), Jimmy Ryan (6); MJ Doyle (0-1, 6), Bryan O’Mara (0-1, 7), Jack Ryan (6); Jamie Woods (0-2, 7), Padraic Russell (6); David Fogarty (0-2, 6), Luke O’Mara (0-1, 7), Shane Ryan (0-1, 6); Darragh Woods (0-10, 7f) 8), Seanie Nally (6), Eoin Craddock (0-1, 6).

Subs: Ben Hennessy (6) for Craddock (40); Jack Dwan (NR) for Russell (58); Philip Fogarty (6) for J Woods (60).

Referee: Philip Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams)