Free-scoring Toome into league final

GAA: FBD Insurance County Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final

Toomevara 2-24

Upperchurch/Drombane 0-16

Report: Liam Hogan

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Jack Delaney (Toomevara)

SCORERS - Toomevara: Kevin McCarthy 0-7 (3 frees); Mark McCarthy 2-1; Jack Delaney 0-6; David Nolan 0-3; Sean Nolan, Jack Ryan 0-2 each; Josh McCarthy, Darren Delaney, Robbie Quirke 0-1 each.

Upperchurch/Drombane: Aaron Ryan 0-6 (2 frees); Paddy Phelan 0-6 (5 frees); Luke Shanahan 0-3 (1 free); Diarmuid Grant 0-1.

The Division 1 final of the County Hurling League will have an all North complexion following Toomevara’s big win over Upperchurch/Drombane in the semi-final last Wednesday.

The win sets up a final with Kiladangan in this Saturday in Semple Stadium.

From first whistle, the Greyhounds had victory in their sights and with Mark McCarthy grabbing two first half goals, Toome were in a commanding position going into the dressing rooms for half time thanks to a 2-14 to 0-8 lead.

This was disappointing for the home-side who hoped to live up to their promise of 2022 when they reached the semi-final of the Dan Breen Cup. In fairness they didn’t have the luxury of a full fifteen with both Padraig Greene and Jack Butler unavailable through injury while both Keith Ryan and Gavin Ryan were absentees because of county duty.

Upperchurch/Drombane did open the scoring, but Toomevara made the first ten minutes very profitable as they raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead thanks to scores by Jack Delaney, Davy Nolan, Shane Nolan, and Kevin McCarthy.

Aaron Ryan had Upperchurch’s second point in the eleventh minute, but Toome hit back with three unanswered points through Josh, Mark & Kevin McCarthy before Mark scored his first goal in the fourteenth minute.

Jack Delaney increased the lead to ten a minute later, but Upperchurch found solace with three unanswered points through 2022 All-Ireland minor winner Paddy Phelan (2) and Luke Shanahan.

However, Kevin McCarthy was in brilliant form and three points from frees and play had Toome firmly in the driving seat which was enhanced by another Jack Delaney point with Mark McCarthy’s goal seconds before half time establishing a 2-14 to 0-8 lead.

Two quick points by Jack Ryan and Jack Delaney increased Toome’s lead to sixteen leaving hopes of a recovery by the home-side very remote. However, it wasn’t for the want of trying as Paddy Phelan, Luke Shanahan and the impressive Aaron Ryan kept the umpires busy, but they could never bring the deficit any closer than twelve which they managed on four occasions.

Toome upped the pace and outscored the home-side 0-4 to 0-2 as Jack Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Shane Nolan, and Davy Nolan plus Jack Delaney increased their scoring tallies.

TEAMS - Toomevara: Rory Brislane; Seamus O’Farrell, Andrew Ryan, Liam Ryan; Jack Ryan, Josh McCarthy, Jake Ryan; Eoin Grace, Darren Delaney; Jack Delaney, Kevin McCarthy, Adam Hall; Davy Nolan, Darragh McCarthy, Mark McCarthy.

Subs: Robbie Quirke for J McCarthy (HT); Sean Flaherty for Hall (45); Darragh McCarthy for D Nolan (47); Ciaran Grace for O’Farrell (51); Conor O’Meara for D Delaney (54).

Upperchurch/Drombane: Ciaran Short; Michael Laverty, Ger Grant, A J Shanahan; John Ryan, Colm Ryan, Albie O’Donoghue; Aaron Ryan, Michael Griffin; paddy Phelan, Diarmuid Grant, Luke Shanahan; Loughlin Ryan, Paul Shanahan, Pat Ryan.

Subs: Oisin Treacy for N Grant (22); Tom Purcell for L Ryan (42); Jim O’Dwyer for D Grant (55); Pat Shortt for P Ryan (56).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).