Boherlahan goals undo Rovers in Junior Football semi-final

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Semi-Final

Boherlahan-Dualla 2-0-8 (14)

Shannon Rovers 0-1-7 (9)

Report: Liam Hogan at Pairc Shilean, Templemore

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Tomas Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla).

SCORERS – Boherlahan-Dualla: Eoin McLoughney 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2 frees); Charlie Ryan 1-0; Jake Canny 0-2; Evan Ryan, Paddy Gahan, Mark Downey 0-1each.

Shannon Rovers: Rory Fox 0-7 (1x2free, 5frees); George Hannigan, Andy Byrne 0-1 each.

A spirited Shannon Rovers second half comeback was not enough and their hopes of reaching the County Junior ‘A’ Football final were ended by a strong Boherlahan-Dualla outfit in the semi-final on Sunday.

Second half goals in the 40th & 44th minutes proved to be the difference but the Rovers continued to take the game to Boherlahan but an overindulgence in passing the ball from side to side and failure to take a punt at two-pointers both from frees and play proved to be their downfall.

It could have much worse because their first half performance was nothing like what we come to know about this team. Rovers trailed by four points at the break, a deficit that could have been much worse but for two excellent saves by goalkeeper Niall Cahalan.

The Rovers attacked from the off and won a free outside the Boherlahan 45 which led to dissent with the free was brought close to goal giving Rory Fox the opportunity to open their account.

Euan Ryan equalised five minutes later but Fox edged Rovers in front with another free in the seventh minute. Two minutes later, the sides were level again as Patrick Gahan scored with a composed Boherlahan side were beginning to get into their stride with intent where Tomas Ryan, Tomas Burke, Charlie Ryan, Niall O’Dwyer and Gahan were prominent.

Now having the edge, Boherlahan continued to push on and they added another five points, beginning with Jake Canny and Euan McLoughney. Canny was busy on the right flank and he added another before two McLoughney frees made it 0-7 to 0-1 approaching half time.

Rovers, however, had their moments with Sean Hough, Matt Tierney, Eamon Hough and Michael Dolan plus George Hannigan on overtime in their bid to stem the flow.

In between all that, Niall Cahalan denied certain goals from Charlie Ryan in the 12th minute and Euan McLoughney eight minutes later.

With the first half drawing to a close, Rory Fox converted his third free to see the halftime score at 0-7 to 0-3.

Thirty seconds into the second half, George Hannigan had the deficit down to three. Continued pressure should have produced more scores but no avail with Rory Fox uncharacteristically missing a close range free.

Happy to have their lead intact, the Boherlahan took the opportunity to turn defence into attack and after a string of passes involving Tomas Ryan, Patrick Gahan and Eoin McLoughney, led to Charlie Ryan fire to the roof of the net from close range.

Buoyed by the goal, Boherlahan strung another few moves together before Eoin McLoughney was hauled down in the square and referee Paddy Ivors signalled a penalty which McLoughney fired past Cahalan.

Boherlahan were full of confidence and should have increased their lead, but the accuracy in front of goal was not what it should have been.

In addition, the Rovers defence stood up to the task and having created a number of promising moves, Boherlahan decided to shut up shop and become more defensive as Andy Byrne pointed in the 44th minute.

The concession of frees was becoming another worry for the Mid side and Rory Fox took advantage firstly from close range before adding a two-pointer in the 50th minute.

Mark Downey’s response eased Boherlahan’s worries but they conceded more frees (15 in the second half) as Rory Fox added another to his tally with four minutes remaining.

Rovers continued to search for a goal but nothing accrued as the minutes counted down including another four of added time but there was no denying that Boherlahan were deserving winners and could look forward to their county final tilt with Ballylooby/Castlegrace while Rovers could pull the curtain down on a year in which they won the North Championship.

TEAMS – Boherlahan-Dualla: Darragh Lacy (7); Ned Ryan (7), Eugene O’Dwyer (7), Cathal D’Arcy (7); Tomas Ryan (8), Charlie Ryan (7), Tomas Burke (6); Jake Canny (7), Niall 0’Dwyer (6); Euan Ryan (6), Martin Paul O’Dwyer (6); Patrick Gahan (7); David Clarke (6), Gerard 0’Dwyer (6), Eoin McLoughney (7).

Subs: Mark Downey (6) for E Ryan (45); Aaron Toomey (6) for N O’Dwyer (45); Niall Manton (NR) for N Ryan (59); Michael O’Connor (NR) for Clarke (59).

Shannon Rovers: Niall Cahalan (8); Jack O’Sullivan (6), Matt Tierney (7), Sean Hough (7); Cathal Hogan (6), Eamon Hough (7), Michael Dolan (6); Andrew Byrne (6), George Hannigan (7); John O’Meara (6), Eoghan Kelly (6), Rory Fox (7); Marcus Esmonde (6), Conal Moran (6), Cathal Og O’Sullivan (6).

Subs: Emmett Moran (6) for Kelly (34); Oisin McMahon (6) for Hogan (49); Austin Tierney (6) for O’Meara (49); Derek Horan (NR) for Byrne (57).

Referee: Paddy Ivors (Ballingarry).