Class from Ciaran
Tyrrell sends Hollywood into semi-final battle with Pat’s
HOLLYWOOD BALTINGLASS 0-10 0-9
AN almost exhausted Ciaran Tyrrell gave the loyal and wonderful Hollywood supporters one of the best finishes to a championship game they’ll ever remember when he bagged two superb late scores to secure their place in the Senior championship semi-final after a pulsating battle with Baltinglass in Joule Park Aughrim.
The outstanding midfielder pushed Mick Murray’s men ahead late on with a bomb off the outside of the right boot after some majestic defending by Harry Wilson saved the day at the other end. The large Hollywood crowd who religiously flock to the bank side to support their warriors then watched in horror as Baltinglass worked the ball superbly up the field where Adam McHugh levelled but Ciaran Tyrrell proved that he is a gift that just keeps on giving.
Hollywood began to build from the back, patiently and under serious pressure from the Baltinglass forwards but they worked the ball to Robert Houlihan and he launched up the field on a flying run, offloaded to Eoin Burke who went long to Thomas Burke who picked out the marauding Tyrrell who fisted over for the lead point of the game with only seconds remaining.
Baltinglass would get one more chance. The Hollywood supporters could barely watch as Ciaran Walshe’s men came with everything they had, and the ball was worked to John McGrath whose late shot drifted across the face of Ian Burke’s goal and wide and Kieron Kenny sounded his final whistle seconds later to herald a momentous Hollywood victory and a place in the semi-finals against St Pat’s.
What a game this was. Nip and tuck all the way with not a bad stroke in it. Quality wise it might have lacked somewhat, and scoring was on the low side, but for drama and excitement it was a cracker.
The questions coming into the game were many. How would Hollywood react to the defeat to Rathnew? Could Baltinglass continue their fine form of late? Could Hollywood shut down Baltinglass’ key men? And would the absence of Mick Murray be to the detriment of his charges in such a huge game?
A bright start saw Hollywood open up a two-point lead through the sprightly Matthew Kelly who collected a breaking ball from Ciaran Tyrrell who was stationed early on in at full-forward on Ian Sheerin and Thomas Burke after more good work from Tyrrell.
Baltinglass recovered and pointed through the excellent Jason Kennedy and Kevin Murphy but then fired over three quick wides to slightly deflate their enthusiasm.
Hollywood’s experimental look up front was altered when Tony Hannon returned to his usual position and he rounded Ian Sheerin to fire Mick Murray’s men ahead after 14 minutes and then Thomas Burke split the posts 60 seconds later.
Sean O’Keeffe, playing in the half-forwards, went wide before Hannon collected a Mikey Healy ball and drove Hollywood three ahead and this period of Hollywood dominance was looking very worrying for Baltinglass when Thomas Burke swung over a free after a foul on Tony Hannon by John McGrath.
After their fifth shot dropped short to Ian Burke, Baltinglass awoke from their slumber and took the game to Hollywood. In the space of five minutes they were level through Mark Jackson (free), Sean O’Brien, Dan Kelly (free) and John McGrath after impressive work from the busy Billy Cullen and they headed for the dressing rooms at 0-6 apiece and everything to play for.
Ciaran Walshe sent in Tom Burke for Peadar Burke at the break after the midfielder picked upa yellow card in the opening half and Baltinglass took the lead through Brian Lord after seven minutes.
Harry Houlihan was introduced for Hollywood after 12 minutes, the Junior ‘B’ star would go on to have a very positive affect on his side’s performance. Eoin Burke took the place of Sean O’Keeffe and Hollywood equalised through Ciaran Tyrrell as the tension rose all across the field.
Thomas Burke sent Hollywood ahead after 23 while Baltinglass were spurning a number of chances before Tom Burke stopped the rot with a fine fisted point to level matters once again.
Baltinglass attacked the Rednagh Hill end of Aughrim with a low autumnal sun in their eyes but Harry Wilson intercepted a dangerous ball for substitute Jordan Deans and Hollywood broke at pace and Ciaran Tyrrell launched a beautiful bomb of a score off the outside of his right boot to a huge roar from the Hollywood supporters.
Time was tight now. Baltinglass flew down the field and Adam McHugh stroked over thanks to a clever John McGrath ball.
Away came Hollywood again. Key to the last score was the patience and confidence to play themselves out of their own defence with short passing before Robert Houlihan broke down the bank side and picked out Eoin Burke with a pass. Burke sent in a long ball to Thomas Burke who laid off to the onrushing Ciaran Tyrrell who fisted the ball over the bar before turning and raising his hands to the Hollywood faithful.
Baltinglass attacked, Jason Kennedy to the fore as always, their championship dreams hanging by a thread. The ball was worked to John McGrath who hoisted a sweet kick off his left but watched in horror as it drifted across the face of Ian Burke’s goal and wide.
Kieron Kenny sounded the final whistle immediately after and the Hollywood players and supporters celebrated their passage to the last four where a very difficult assignment against St Pat’s awaits.
Baltinglass bow out. The influence of their key men was curtailed and a harmful collection of wides proved very costly as the setting sun slipped below Rednagh Hill.
Scorers – Hollywood: Thomas Burke 0-4 (1f), Ciaran Tyrrell 0-3, Tony Hannon 0-2, Matthew Kelly 0-1.
Baltinglass: Mark Jackson 0-1 (f), Jason Kennedy 0-1, Kevin Murphy 0-1, Brian Lord 0-1, John McGrath 0-1, Dan Kelly 0-1 (f), Sean O’Brien 0-1, Jordan Deans 0-1, Adam McHugh 0-1.
Ian Burke; Sean O’Keeffe, Harry Wilson, Shane Kelly; Conor Burke, Mikey Healy, Robert Houlihan; Ciaran Tyrrell, Robert Kelly; Cian Tyrrell, Matthew Kelly, Keith Traynor; Stephen Kearney, Tony Hannon, Thomas Burke. Subs: Harry Houlihan for S Kearney; Eoin Burke for S O’Keeffe.
Mark Jackson; John Murray, Ian Sheerin, David Gethings; Billy Cullen, Pat Burke, Stephen Heaslip; Peadar Burke, Jason Kennedy; Kevin Murphy, Brian Lord, John McGrath; Dan Kelly, Sean O’Brien, Chris Heaslip. Subs: Tom Burke for P Burke, Adam McHugh for D Kelly, Jordan Deans for S O’Brien.
Kieron Kenny (Tinahely)