Ruthless Holycross retain Under 21 ‘A’ title with ease

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Final

Holycross/Ballycahill 1-23

Borris-Ileigh 0-8

Report: Michael Dundon in Cappawhite

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Robbie Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill).

SCORERS – Holycross/Ballycahill: Robbie Ryan 0-12 (8 frees); Tiarnan Ryan 1-4; Jimmy Lahart 0-2; Sean Ryan, James Doyle, Liam Doyle, Evan Morris, Eoin Craddock 0-1 each.

Borris-Ileigh: Paddy McCormack 0-4 (2 frees); Cathal Kennedy 0-2; Eoin Boyle, Lar Stapleton 0-1 each.

Back to back County Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling titles came much easier to Holycross/Ballycahill than most anticipated as they outplayed Borris-Ileigh in the decider on St Stephen’s Day in a contest that fell below expectations.

Originally scheduled for Golden, weather conditions dictated a switch to Cappawhite, and despite it being the day after Christmas, there was a big turn-out on very cold afternoon. Not ideal hurling conditions certainly, but as good as you’ll get at this time of the year.

This Holycross/Ballycahill side has dominated their age group right up through the ages and are poised to backbone the club’s bid for senior honours in the coming years. They showed no sign of wilting against back-to-back North champions Borris-Ileigh, a young side, most of whom are eligible again for this grade next year, but who were well off the pace in this one-sided final.

The bulk of the Holycross team are established seniors and their strength and experience showed, as it has done in previous outings.

But for a brief spell in the first half, they dictated terms and they were never in any real danger of surrendering their title. With all but three of those who figured in the final eligible for next year also, a hat-trick of titles is very much in prospect.

A taste of what was to come saw Holycross go five points up without reply after nine minutes.

Borris were struggling even at that early stage, but, just as they had done in the semi-final against Ballingarry, they recovered from a slow start and going into the second quarter were just two points behind, 0-5 to 0-7.

Jack Bevans, Tom Delaney, and Paddy McCormack did most to instigate that recovery but Holycross, with Robbie Ryan on top of his game from play and frees, quickly re-established control, seven unanswered points coming up to half-time putting them into a virtually unassailable position at the break (0-15 to 0-6). Ryan finished the half with nine points, three from play.

The Mid lads were in control throughout. Their defence smothered the Borris attack, rendering it ineffective. Tiernan Ryan and James Doyle were lording it at midfield, and there was a threat in each Holycross attacker. Paddy McCormack was Borris’ main attacking threat but he was well-policed by Tadhg Gould and consequently the North champions found scores very hard to come by.

It was going to take a mighty effort from Borris to chance things about in the second half but the game ended as a contest six minutes into the second period when Tiarnan Ryan finished yet another excellent Holycross attacking move with a goal that knocked the heart out of Borris.

Definitely no way back for Borris-Ileigh now, and the remainder of the half was played out in virtual silence, both sides longing for the final whistle, Holycross/Ballycahill to begin celebrations and Borris-Ileigh to put this bad experience behind them.

Bright days ahead for Holycross/Ballycahill is the general consensus and it is very clear that this is an exceptionally talented group of players, several of whom have already worn the county jersey at under-age level.

They are very strong physically but also have innate hurling skills which have been honed to near perfection. These attributes, combined with a very strong work ethic, have seen them dominate their grades to an extent not seen in recent times. The challenge now is to deliver on the bigger stage in 2026. This was a team also without county under 20 All-Ireland winning centre back Jim Ryan who missed the entire under 20 campaign through injury sustained in the senior semi-final loss in October.

Robbie Ryan won the man of the match award, largely on the strength of a superb first half performance, but Tiarnan Ryan ran him close. Tadgh Gould co-ordinated the defensive set-up to perfection with Cathal O’Reilly and Evan Morris forceful figures in support. James Doyle too enjoyed a good day at midfield.

Borris-Ileigh will be disappointed at how this game went but with the bulk of their side eligible again next year, they have very reason for optimism. A second North title in as many is nothing to be sneezed at and indicates that things are going well in the club. Like Holycross, they will be hoping to reap the benefits in the coming years. The north title is in itself a prize to be valued and considerable consolation for their year’s efforts.

Leadership came from Tom Delaney and Paddy McCormack, but even they were curtailed to an extent by the close attentions of the opposition who got their matchups spot-on. Jack Bevans had a fine outing at midfield with David Rabbitte, Eoin Boyle, Michael Ryan, and Cathal Kennedy also having their moments.

TEAMS – Holycross/Ballycahill: James O’Dwyer (6); Cathal O’Reilly (7), Evan Morris (7), Sean McGrath (6); Daire Ryan (6), Tadhg Gould (7), Liam Doyle (6); Tiernan Ryan (8), James Doyle (7); Eoghan Hickey (6), Eoin Craddock (6), Robbie Ryan (9); Sean Ryan (6), Jimmy Lahart (6), Audie Lohan (6).

Subs: Tony Maher (6) for Lohan (45); Jack Lahart (6) for McGrath (50); Tadhg Ryan (6) for Hickey (54); Jack Galvin (NR) for J Doyle (55), Rory Fleming (NR) for D Ryan (56).

Borris-Ileigh: Archie Devaney (6); David Rabbitte (7), Patrick Ryan (6), Eamonn Groome (6); Michael Kennedy (6), Tom Delaney (7), Michael Ryan (6); Jack Bevans (7), Razuk Atik (6); Eoin Boyle (6), Paddy McCormack (7), Cathal Kennedy (6); Darragh Chute (6), Lar Stapleton (6), Eoin Ryan (6).

Subs: Patrick Brett (6) for Chute (HR); Jack Gould (6) for Stapleton (40); Harry Gould (NR) for M Kennedy (55).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess).