Ryan heroics sees Arravale win epic Intermediate final

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Final

Arravale Rovers 1-34

Ballingarry 3-27

(After Extra Time)

Report: Noel Dundon at St Michael’s Park, Holycross

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Jack Cahill (Ballingarry)

SCORERS - Arravale Rovers: Orrin Jones 0-19 (17 frees); Johnny Ryan 0-6; Jaye Cilvinas 1-3; Eoghan Lonergan 0-2; John Paul Lohan, Sean O’Mahoney, Niall Sharpe, Cormac Maher 0-1 each.

Ballingarry: Dylan Walsh 0-12 (7 frees); Jack Cahill 1-8 (0-1 free); Simon Blackmore 2-1; Tommy McGrath 0-3; Michael Ivors, Conor Vaughan, Diarmuid Ryan 0-1 each.

A sensational last gasp point from Tipperary hurler Johnny Ryan snatched victory for Arravale Rovers in the County Intermediate Hurling Final at a packed Holycross on Saturday afternoon, just when it seemed as though penalties would be required to decide the outcome.

A pulsating game which flowed this way and that throughout, Arravale Rovers, despite chasing the contest for the majority of the play, somehow found a way to succeed much to the bitter disappointment of their opponents who had spells of absolute dominance, but somehow managed to lose the prize on offer.

Ryan’s score was of the highest calibre as he dispossessed the sliotar off a Ballingarry attacker, swiped it up off the ground and shot instinctively from his own half to send the ball sailing between the posts, just seconds before referee Kevin Jordan called time on proceedings.

Ryan had performed a similar feat to tie up the game at the end of normal time with Arravale Rovers having fought back from a desperate start - a start which saw them 1-4 to no score in arrears after just six minutes.

The goal came from Jack Cahill in the fourth minute and the points from Dylan Walsh (2), Diarmuid Ryan, and Cahill suggested that this could be a long afternoon for the men from the west.

But, Arravale settled and points from Eoghan Lonergan, Orrin Jones (2), Johnny Ryan and Jaye Cilvinas helped them back into the play, even though they also struck six wides in this period too.

Ballingarry had three in succession from Walsh (2) and Michael Ivers but they were not having it all their own way at this stage and Jones (3), Ryan and Cilvinas had further Arravale points to cut the deficit to two.

By the half-way mark, Ballingarry led 1-10 to 0-10 and they would play with the aid of the breeze in the second half – in which they led all the way until the 65th minute when Johnny Ryan tied up the game with that score already described above.

Jones and Ryan traded points with Dylan Walsh (2) upon resumption, but Ballingarry struck six wides in as many minutes and could have had the game in the bag had their accuracy not let them down.

Points from Ryan, John Paul Lohan and Jones (2) were cancelled by three efforts from Tommy McGrath for Ballingarry, while Dylan Walsh and Jack Cahill also chipped in with scores to leave Ballingarry a goal in front with five minutes to go.

Considering how frequently the points were flying over, you got the feeling that Arravale would need a goal to get back on terms. That was not to be the case though – they did it through points with Jones and Ryan again pointing, only to see Cahill, Walsh and Cahill again seemingly sealing the game for Ballingarry.

The West men did not read the script though and they hit back with Jones (2), sub Niall Sharpe and then Johnny Ryan pointed to tie up the game in very dramatic fashion right at the death.

If that finale was dramatic, there was much more to come and though Arravale shot three points in succession from Jones (2) and Cilvinas when they re-emerged for extra time, Ballingarry were to pilfer 2-3 in that first period to lead by 3-23 to 0-28 at the break.

The goals came in a quick two minute burst from the stick of Simon Blackmore who was now deployed in a role more in keeping with his number 13 jersey and they helped Ballingarry to a four point interval lead, which was extended to five when Jack Cahill had the first score of the second period.

Arravale Rovers faced a mountain but they slowly chipped away at it with sub Cormac Maher and Jones (3) all pointing. Ballingarry had centre back James Burns dismissed for a second yellow card just moments before Jaye Cilvinas blasted a superb goal for Arravale Rovers to give them the lead with two minutes of normal time left.

It was now up to Ballingarry to chase it and they tied the match up with Jack Cahill and Dylan Walsh scores as time ticked into injury. Still there was time for Eoghan Lonergan to shove Arravale in front again only for Dylan Walsh to level it once more. And then in the most dramatic of conclusions, Johnny Ryan struck that wonder point to break Ballingarry hearts and steal the title for Arravale Rovers.

It was an incredible conclusion to an incredible contest – one which nobody deserved to lose. But, the agony and ecstasy of sport was there in all its rawness when the final whistle sounded.

Johnny Ryan was the hero but Orrin Jones who scored 0-19, Jaye Cilvinas, David Ryan, Peter Ryan, Sean O’Mahoney and Eoghan Lonergan also played major roles in this spectacular victory, one which will live long in the memory of the Arravale Rovers faithful.

For Ballingarry, man of the match Jack Cahill was the leading light with 1-7 from play, while Dylan Walsh, who hit 0-12, Tommy McGrath, Simon Blackmore, Thomas Walton and Billy McGrath were best.

TEAMS - Arravale Rovers: Paddy O’Donnell (6), David Ryan (8), Niall Fitzgerald (6), Peter Ryan (7), Eoin Doocey (7), Matthew Moroney (6), John Paul Lohan (Capt 7), Johnny Ryan (9), Sean O’Mahoney (7), Donogh Leahy (7), Eoghan Lonergan (8), Adam Ryan (6), Donnacha Quigley (6), Orrin Jones (8), Jaye Cilvinas (8).

Subs: Conal Donovan (6) for Doocey (39); Niall Sharpe (7) for Quigley (48); Cormac Maher (6) for Leahy (55).

Ballingarry: Paidi Maher (7), Ger Ryan (6), Paul Butler (6), Patrick Ivors (7), Ger Fennelly (6), James Burns (7), Billy McGrath (6), Thomas Walton (7), Jack Cahill (9), Michael Ivors (7), Tommy McGrath (8), Dylan Walsh (Capt 8), Simon Blackmore (8), Ben Ivers (6), Diarmuid Ryan (6).

Subs: Conor Vaughan (6) for M Ivors (55); Darragh Pollard (6) for Butler (57); Jack Fennelly (6) for D Ryan (7 ET).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels).