Stalemate between champion rivals Kiladangan and Loughmore

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Group 4

Kiladangan 0-18

Loughmore-Castleiney 0-18

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Sub Conor Byrne popped over an injury time point to secure a draw for Kiladangan against reigning champions Loughmore-Castleiney in the opening game of the County Senior Hurling Championship on Friday.

The share of the spoils was no more than Kiladangan deserved. Although they had to chase their rivals for much of the game, their refusal to accept defeat was admirable, and this result will do much to erase their disappointment at their North final setback to Nenagh Eire Og.

Already without Darragh Flannery, Declan McGrath, Kiladangan were forced to start without Sean Hayes and Dan O’Meara, however, Billy Seymour and Willie Connors did make their first appearances of the season, the latter contributing two points in his first minutes since breaking an ankle over six months ago.

So, they were apprehensive about facing the champions who themselves had a significant absentee list including John McGrath, Willie Eviston, Ciaran Connolly, and Aidan McGrath. For both, in a group which also contains JK Brackens and Eire Og Annacarty, the result leaves them well-positioned to advance to the knock-out stages.

Not surprisingly, given their recent history, there was little between the sides at any time but Loughmore-Castleiney were generally on the front foot. With Liam McGrath, John Meagher and Noel McGrath showing the way, they led all through the game, except for a four-minute spell from the ninth to the thirteenth minutes following a Alan Flynn pointed free which had Kiladangan ahead 0-4 to 0-3.

By half-time Loughmore had their noses in front once more, 0-10 to 0-9, Kiladangan were relying heavily on Bryan McLoughney for their scores, and surely dismayed at a wide count of seven. Alan Flynn was excellent in defence and contributed two points into the bargain.

Significantly Willie Connors entered the fray just before half-time after being injured for most of the year. He marked his arrival with a point, and was to have a considerable influence in the second half.

Little changed on resuming with Loughmore, despite some erratic shooting (8 second half wides), staying just clear of a Kiladangan outfit who never gave up the chase, eventually levelling with Bryan McLoughney’s pointed free in the 53rd minute (0-15 each).

This set up an exciting finish as Loughmore, thanks to points from Tommy Maher and Noel McGrath surged in front again, only for Bryan McLoughney to square things with a brace of points, the second in the 60th minute. Next Brian McGrath in a sortee upfield, put Loughmore ahead again but in the 63rd minute Conor Byrne came to Kiladangan’s rescue with the equaliser.

Apart from getting their championship campaign off to a solid start, the most positive thing to emerge from this game for Kiladangan was the return to action of Willie Connors who made a considerable impact and who will surely be even more influential in the coming rounds.

Thirteen wides will give them of concern, however, and they will be expecting more from some of their squad next time out. Alan Flynn was their key man in a defence in which James Quigley and John O’Meara also impressed. The Gallaghers, Tadhg & Joe, were as reliable as ever but Bryan McLoughney was their top man in attack five of his nine points coming from play.

Loughmore-Castleiney will be pleased with the result, although disappointed not to have taken full points. They were blooding some youngsters and will be happy with how Darragh McCahey and Cian McCormack responded but it was the old firm who got them through a searching test with John Meagher, Noel McGrath, Liam McGrath, Ciaran McGrath, and Joey Hennessy leading by example. A late injury to Ciaran McGrath will be a concern for them as they face into a busy schedule of games in both hurling and football.

Player of the Match: Bryan McLoughney (Kiladangan)

Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (6); John O’Meara (6), James Quigley (7), Fergal Hayes (6); Darren Moran (0-1, 6), Alan Flynn (0-2, 1f) 7), David Sweeney (0-1, 6); Tadhg Gallagher (6), Jack Loughnane (6); Mathew Cleary (6), Joe Gallagher (0-2, 7), Tom O’Meara (6); Bryan McLoughney (0-9, 4f) 8), Paul Flynn (6), Billy Seymour (6).

Subs: Willie Connors (0-2, 7) for Cleary (30), Dan O’Meara (6) for T O’Meara (48); Conor Byrne (0-1, 6) for Seymour (48).

Loughmore/Castleiney: Michael McGrath (6); Lorcan Egan (6), Joey Hennessy (7), Darragh McCahey (6); John Ryan (6), John Meagher (7), Brian McGrath (0-1, 6); Tommy Maher (0-2, 6), Tomas McGrath (6); Ciaran McCormack (0-1, 6), Liam McGrath (0-6, 4f) 7), Noel McGrath (0-4, 1f) 7); Ciaran McGrath (0-2, 7), Cian Hennessy (0-2, 6), Conor McGrath (6).

Subs: Aidan McGrath (6) for Conor McGrath (40); Paul McCahey (6) for Hennessy (42); Conor Ryan for Ciaran McGrath (56).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla K’hams).