Loughmore come from behind to defeat Borris-Ileigh

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Loughmore/Castleiney1-18

Borris-Ileigh 1-15

Report: Shane Brophy at Semple Stadium

Another massive scoring contribution of 1-12 from Tipp star John McGrath saw Loughmore/Castleiney come from behind to see off Borris-Ileigh in the Tipperary senior hurling semi-final at Semple Stadium today.

Loughmore trailed for much of the contest and four points down at the second water-break but powered home, helped by a late McGrath penalty as the went five points in front in added time before a late Borris riposte.

With Brendan Maher fit to play, Borris-Ileigh started off in a whirlwind fashion with Conor Kenny opening the scoring before his presence paved the room for James Devaney to get in for a fifth minute goal.

Brendan Maher (free) and Kenny added points before Loughmore troubled the scoreboard through Evan Sweeney on ten minutes. Sweeney started in place of the injured Brian McGrath and his loss was felt as Borris-Ileigh dominated under the dropping ball with Conor Kenny to the fore in scoring and creating for Kieran Maher as they led 1-5 to 0-2 at the water-break.

Loughmore improved in the second quarter which they won 0-5 to 0-4, but all of their scores came from John McGrath frees as Borris-Ileigh led 1-9 to 0-7 at the break.

Borris-Ileigh maintained their strong advantage in the third quarter and went seven clear at one stage but Loughmore clawed their way back with John McGrath accurate from play and from placed balls.

Ciaran Connolly, Tomas & Liam McGrath also on the scoresheet before John McGrath brought the sides level on 55 minutes before a long-range effort nudged them in front. He added a long range free before his delivery into the square led to his cousin Ciaran being fouled and he slotted the penalty away.

Borris-Ileigh lost Kieran Maher to a straight red card and late points from Eddie Ryan and James Devaney weren’t enough as Loughmore/Castleiney progress to a November 14th county final with near neighbours Thurles Sarsfields.

Scorers - Loughmore/Castleiney: John McGrath 1-12 (1-0 pen, 0-9 frees, 0-1 65); Evan Sweeney, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran Connolly, Liam McGrath, Noel McGrath 0-1 each.

Borris-Ileigh: Eddie Ryan 0-6 (5 frees, 1 65); James Devaney 1-2; Conor Kenny, Kieran Maher, Jerry Kelly (1 s-cut) 0-2 each; Brendan Maher 0-1 free.

Loughmore/Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Joey Hennessy, Willie Eviston; John Ryan, John Meagher, Tomas McGrath; Ciaran Connolly, Tommy Maher; Ed Connolly, Liam McGrath, Noel McGrath; Evan Sweeney, Liam Treacy, John McGrath.

Subs: Ed Meagher for Ryan (HT); Ciaran McGrath for Treacy (47); Conor McGrath for E Connolly (47); Ciaran McCormack for Sweeney (52).

Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack; Paddy Stapleton, Liam Ryan, Seamus Burke; Ray McCormack, Dan McCormack, Brendan Maher; Colm Boyle, Jerry Kelly; Kieran Maher, Niall Kenny, Thomas Fahy; James Devaney, Conor Kenny, Eddie Ryan.

Subs: Tommy Ryan for Stapleton (13 inj); Bill O’Connell for T Ryan (54); Jody Harkin for Fahy (55).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)