Tipperary SHC: holders Loughmore/Castleiney dumped out by hungry Holycross/Ballycahill

Tipperary's Cathal Barrett ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Holycross/Ballycahill banished years of hunt when defeating Loughmore/Castleiney by 4-25 to 4-18 in a thrilling preliminary quarter-final at The Ragg.

In a repeat of last year’s semi-final, the winners – aiming for a first title since 1990 - led by a point at the break, 2-11 to 2-10, with first-half goals from Cathal Barrett and Joe Caesar (1-4), Liam McGrath and John McGrath (2-8) netting at the other end.

When the action resumed, Holycross/Ballycahill powered to the winning line from the 39th onwards, Darragh Woods (1-9) and Robbie Ryan (1-4) their second-half goalscorers. Eoin Craddock nailed four points and Bryan O’Meara was outstanding at centre back, winning no end of ball and sniping two points as his side sealed a quarter-final outing in Semple Stadium next weekend.

Liam McGrath’s second goal for the holders at the death was a mere consolation in a game where Holycross/Ballycahill were deserving victors, setting the record straight having previously lost to this opposition four times in the championship inside as many years.

Defeat for Loughmore/Castleiney means that for the first time since 2019 they won’t be contesting a Tipp SHC quarter-final.