Late Darcy point sinks the ‘Mines

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter-Final

Boherlahan-Dualla 4-14

Silvermines 2-19

Report: James Hayden at Páirc Shíleáin, Templemore

A dramatic late point from Boherlahan-Dualla deep into injury time condemned a Silvermines to a heart-breaking defeat following a hugely entertaining County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship preliminary quarter-final on Sunday.

With extra-time seemingly inevitable, substitute Cathal Darcy emerged as the unlikely hero, popping up with the decisive score with virtually the last puck of the game to snatch victory for the Mid-men charges.

Silvermines had appeared to have rescued at least extra-time when talismanic forward Jason Forde arrowed over from close range with 62 minutes played. However, Boherlahan launched one final attack and the sliotar broke kindly for Darcy in midfield.

Slightly off balance, he nevertheless managed to produce a high, looping strike which sailed between the posts and sparked jubilant celebrations among the Boherlahan-Dualla contingent.

For Silvermines, it was a cruel conclusion to a contest in which they had contributed enormously and could just as easily have emerged victorious. They will rue conceding four goals, two in each half, while their reliance on the extraordinary scoring exploits of Jason Forde was once again evident. Forde finished with a remarkable 1-17, including 0-13 from frees, while Conor McKelvey and Danny Quinn contributed a combined tally of 1-2.

In contrast, Boherlahan enjoyed a far greater spread of scorers, with nine different players getting on the scoresheet, a crucial factor in their ability to negotiate what proved to be a hugely difficult hurdle.

Playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, the North champions made the brighter start and raced into a two-point advantage before the impressive Paddy Gahan struck for 1-1 in the space of just sixty seconds following a defensive lapse by Silvermines.

The ‘Mines responded immediately with Jason Forde picking up a loose ball before tearing through the heart of the Boherlahan defence and firing to the net.

Three Boherlahan points in succession then restored their advantage, with Euan Ryan, Brian Óg Dwyer, and Eoin McLoughney all finding the target inside the opening nine minutes.

Silvermines once again hit back to level, Jason Forde converting a free before Danny Quinn put the north side ahead. The tall full-forward then struck for a thundering eleventh-minute goal to open up a three-point advantage. The move began with Jason Forde putting Michael Corcoran through on goal who then found Quinn in front of the posts and he made no mistake with a powerful finish.

Boherlahan almost responded with a second goal but Darragh Treacy produced a timely intervention to deny James Kirby.

Forde then showcased his considerable range with a beautifully struck sideline-cut midway through the half to stretch the Silvermines advantage to four points.

Boherlahan refused to panic, though and a brace of Thomas Ryan frees, followed by a 21st minute point from John Ryan, reduced the deficit to the minimum.

The Mid side then regained the lead within seconds when a Brian Óg Dwyer ball into the corner found James Kirby who delivered the sliotar into the path of the inrushing Euan Ryan who drilled a low finish to the back of the net.

Once again, Silvermines responded superbly. Three Forde frees brought the sides level before Conor McKelvey produced an excellent score from a tight angle deep in injury time to ensure Silvermines held a slender 2-10 to 2-9 lead at the interval.

Forde extended that advantage within seconds of the restart with his first point from play; one of four he would score. James Kirby responded for Boherlahan before Paddy Gahan once again demonstrated his predatory instincts.

Gathering possession, Gahan evaded the attentions of corner-back Darragh Treacy before flicking the sliotar over the head of the advancing Sean McGrath and into the net to score his second goal. That score left Boherlahan ahead by 3-10 to 2-12 and set the stage for another absorbing battle.

Forde replied with two more placed-balls before Silvermines almost found the net again in the 42nd minute. Danny Quinn flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal with the inrushing Michael Corcoran agonisingly close to getting the finishing touch.

As both sides battled fiercely for supremacy, Boherlahan struck a crucial fourth goal in the 45th minute. David Clarke flicked the sliotar into the path of the unmarked Paddy Gahan, and the attacker finished with aplomb to complete his hat-trick and put his side in a commanding position.

Silvermines, though, refused to surrender. Forde responded with another well-struck free before a 54th minute Charlie Ryan point edged Boherlahan two clear.

The tension increased with every passing minute as both sides exchanged scores in a frantic finale. Successive points from placed balls brought Silvermines level once again before a close-range Thomas Ryan free edged Boherlahan back in front as the clock ticked towards full-time.

But still there was time for another twist. Jason Forde once again answered the call, bringing Silvermines level and seemingly setting the stage for an additional 20 minutes of hurling. Instead, Boherlahan had the final say.

The victory propels Boherlahan into a quarter-final meeting with Killenaule, while Silvermines must regroup quickly for a relegation semi-final against last year’s county finalists, Carrick Swan.

Player of the Match: Paddy Gahan (Boherlahan-Dualla).

Boherlahan-Dualla: Darragh Lacey (7); Conor Kennedy (7), Gerard O’Dwyer (7), John Ryan (0-1, 7); Tomas Bourke (7), Martin Paul O’Dwyer (Capt 7), Ned Ryan (7); Charlie Ryan (0-1, 7), David Clarke (7); Euan Ryan (1-1, 7), Thomas Ryan (0-6f, 7), Paddy Gahan (3-1, 8); Brian Óg O’Dwyer (0-1, 7), James Kirby (0-1, 7), Eoin McLoughney (0-1, 7).

Subs: Mark Downey (6) for Kirby (41); Seamie Leahy (NR) for E Ryan (49); Cathal Darcy (0-1, 7) for Clarke (51).

Silvermines: Conor Murphy (7); Darragh Treacy (7), Darragh Nolan (7), Cathal Treacy (7); Ronan Sherlock (7), Luke O’Brien (7), Daniel McKelvey (7); Patrick Leamy (7), Eddie Ryan (7); Michael Corcoran (Capt 7), Jason Forde (1-17 (0-13f, 0-1 s-cut) 8); Sean Nolan (7), Conor McKelvey (0-2, 7), Danny Quinn (1-0, 7), Sean McGrath (7).

Subs: Oisin Murphy (6) for C McKelvey (49); Brian Seymour (6) for Ryan (51).

Referee: Cian Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty/Donohill).