Lorrha have come a long way in two years - Hogan

Lorrha manager Ken Hogan cut an elated figure after his side lifted the Seamus O Riain Cup for the first time in the club’s history following the narrowest of victories over a gallant Thurles Sarsfields side at MacDonagh Park on Saturday.

“If you think over the past eighteen months, we have contested two north finals and won them and contested three county finals and we have won two and drew one. If you said that eighteen months ago, we would have never believed it," Hogan began.

"Things were at a low ebb after the loss to Burgess in the relegation final two years ago and we wondered after that day where we were going. There was only one way and that was up. Our win today is down to the people of the parish and the mentors at juvenile level who are promoting the GAA in both hurling, camogie, and football.”

The Lorrha manager also paid huge tribute to his players and fellow backroom staff following his side's one-point victory in an absorbing replay, hitting the final two points of the game.

“From our perspective when we took over the reins Brian Carroll came in as coach, Conor ‘Red’ O’Sullivan came in as trainer and Willie Fogarty and Shane Brophy brought the knowledge,” added Hogan.

“So, from that perspective we just started from the word go and what a great bunch of lads we have.

“It's down to the guys that just sacrificed themselves. Denis O’Meara was left off at the eleventh hour and his attitude was just outstanding. He told me if he was needed to come in and do a job, even at corner-forward, he would. And he did come in and his attitude was just unbelievable. He came in and shored things up in the half-forward line.

"Overall, it was a victory for heart and commitment. You can talk about tactics, gameplans, and match-ups, but today it was about heart and desire. Up to 4.00pm on Friday, the game was in the balance after the heavy rain but fair play to MacDonagh Park the pitch was in savage condition.

“From our perspective today it was about heart, putting our bodies on the line, never say die attitude and absolute belief in each other and we absolutely gave it everything," Ken exuded.

Ken also paid tribute to their opponents Thurles Sarsfields for their role in what were two very memorable county Premier Intermediate hurling finals.

“I want to pay tribute to Thurles Sarsfields team and management. I was in their dressing room there and that’s a very desolate dressing room. They have a marvellous team of hurlers, and you can see they train together with the senior team under the one management. We must pay tribute to them and the match officials here today.

“From our perspective it has been a helter-skelter year, but we have got the breaks and for the parish it’s a great day. We have had a lot of heartache and I would like to pay tribute to our kitman Tommy Houlihan whose mother Kathleen passed away at 101 years of age yesterday. He was here with us. Also, for the family of Tom Milne from the parish who dedicated his life to the GAA in London and is a former Laochra Gael winner, this victory here today is for them."

On the game itself and Lorrha’s two early goals Ken said the management team always had the belief that “with Patrick 'Bonnar' Maher playing in the inside forward line something could always happen”.

“Bonnar created the opportunity for Cian’s goal to score the first goal and he created the second goal all on his own. To say goals win games is a bit of a cliché but it gave us a cushion. I actually didn’t realise in the second half we went a point down, but this team showed great belief and great discipline to not give a cheap free away in the closing stages.

“For guys that had injuries this year like Bonnar, Ciaran Hough and Conor Hogan for all those lads to come back and win a county final is an absolute dream”.

Ken also agreed that the dream was not just over yet and added that Lorrha are “thrilled” to be representing Tipperary in the Munster Club championship.

“We represent Tipperary in the competition as champions and we face Corofin from Clare in two weeks’ time in Nenagh. We will savour the next few days though and enjoy it before turning our attention to Corofin, but we know we will face a tough challenge from the Clare champions.”