Late O'Dwyer point edges Killenaule past Boherlahan

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Killenaule 0-21

Boherlahan-Dualla 0-20

Report: Michael Heverin at Leahy Park, Cashel

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Tony Ryan (Killenaule)

SCORERS – Killenaule: Tony Ryan 0-9 (7 frees); Tom Stakelum 0-3; Fionn Fitzgerald Podge O’Dwyer 0-2 each; Jack Hassett, Joe O’Dwyer (free), Paudie Feehan, Eoin Shaw, Darragh Doyle 0-1 each.

Boherlahan-Dualla: Tomas Ryan 0-9 (7 frees); Paddy Gahan 0-5; Charlie Ryan 0-3; James Kirby 0-2; Brian Og O’Dwyer 0-1.

An injury time point from Podge O’Dwyer proved to the winner as Killenaule edged past Boherlahan-Dualla by the narrowest of margins in an absorbing County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Final on Saturday afternoon.

The sides were level on eleven occasions, and still tied at 0-20 each as the clocked ticked into added time. Boherlahan were on the attack in search of the winner when outstanding Killenaule defence cleared the danger and Jimmy Feehan broke clear with the ball before Podge O’Dwyer hit a priceless winner from long range.

There was nothing between the sides throughout with every point crucial in a game with no goals. Indiscipline was severely punished with exemplary free-taking from Killenaule’s Tony Ryan, who converted seven frees, as well as hitting two great points from play, and Boherlahan’s Tomás Ryan, who also converted seven frees, with two from play.

Two points from Ryan, one a free, put the Mid side ahead inside a minute, but frees from Ryan and Joe O’Dwyer – who had to go off injured before half time – levelled it three minutes later, and the sides were also level at 0-3, 0-4, 0-5 and 0-6 each in the first quarter.

Paddy Gahan and James Kirby put Boherlahan two ahead again before Tony Ryan from a free and Fionn Fitzgerald, levelled again. It was still tied at 0-9 and 0-10 each before two in a row from the Robins made it 0-12 to 0-10 approaching the break, the scores from Tom Stakelum and substitute Eoin Shaw. Brian Óg O’Dwyer set up Gahan for Boherlahan’s last score of the half, with Killenaule leading 0-12 to 0-11 at the interval.

Following the trend of the game, Tomás Ryan from a free equalised in the first minute of the second half, but by the 39th minute, Killenaule had gone three clear for the first time, 0-15 to 0-12, with three points from Tony Ryan, two from frees.

But in a see-saw struggle, Boherlahan hit back and the sides were level again at 0-16 and 0-17 each. Tony Ryan and Tom Stakelum edged the South side two in front again. James Kirby and Tom Stakelum exchanged points, before two in a row for Boherlahan, great scores from Paddy Gahan and Tomás Ryan, levelled it again by the end of normal time.

Neither side were content with extra time and play switched from end to end in search of a winner. Boherlahan were on the attack when the move broke down, and Killenaule cleared for Podge O’Dwyer to hit the winner.

But there was still time for more drama and Boherlahan had further chances. Tomás Ryan was wide from a long-range free, and they also missed from play in the next move.

With the game now in the 64th minute, they launched one further attack, and with backs and forwards battling for possession in front of the Killenaule goal, the ball was finally cleared as referee Nigel Carrigan blew the final whistle on a pulsating contest.

TEAMS - Killenaule: David McCormack (7); Jack Hassett (7), Killian O’Dwyer (Capt 8), Jimmy Feehan (8); Charlie Barrett (8), Joe O’Dwyer (7), Tom Keaveney (7); Podge O’Dwyer (8), Luke Ryan (7); Tony Ryan (9), Tom Stakelum (8), Paudie Feehan (8); Darragh Doyle (7), Mark Stakelum (7) Fionn Fitzgerald (7).

Subs: Eoin Shaw (7) for J O’Dwyer (29 inj), Oisín Kelly (6) for Fitzgerald (53), Michael Doyle (6) for P Feehan (55).

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

Subs: Seamie Leahy (6) for E Ryan (38), Cathal Darcy (6) for Clarke (45).

Referee: Nigel Carrigan (Ballybacon/Grange).