Proud ‘Church aim to build on breakthrough
By Michael Dundon
In the space of seven days, Upperchurch-Drombane dreams of a first county senior hurling and football double have ended in disappointment.
Having initially lost in a county senior hurling semi-final to Kilruane MacDonaghs, they returned to Semple Stadium to face the mighty Clonmel Commercials in the football final last Sunday but again defeat was their lot as they were out-played by hot favourites.
It was Upperchurch’s first time in the football final and while things did not go as they would have wished, they did themselves and their parish proud. Coach Eoin Shortt, who will be figuring on the club side which contests the county junior ‘A’ hurling final, was quick to stress the pride in which the squad is held in the parish.
“We are all extremely proud of them and what they achieved this year,” he began.
“We could not ask any more of them. They gave us everything.”
The coach acknowledged that the Commercials goal on thirteen minutes to open the scoring was a big factor.
“We were doing well-enough until then,” he admitted.
“But we gave that goal away and they took the initiative. They have some very good players, and they took full advantage.”
However, Eoin reflected on what has been a great year for the club.
“We have had a great year and what we now need is to build on that going forward. We have a great bunch of lads who can only get better,” he said.
Former Tipperary goalkeeper Philly Ryan, who is part of the management team with Commercials was happy with the win but not happy with the team’s second half performance.
“Once we got going in the first half we played quite well and opened up a good lead, but we knew Upperchurch would throw everything at us and they did”, he began.
“We did not play well in the second half, but we did enough. Finals are for winning and we did that, so we are happy with the day’s work”, he added.
Looking ahead to the Munster club quarter final visit to the Cork champions, Philly said that they would give the players a short break and then begin the build up for that encounter against St Finbarr’s or Nemo Rangers on Saturday 12th November in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.