Upperchurch hold off fast finishing Cahir

Upperchurch-Drombane’s win in their County Senior Football Championship group two contest with Cahir on Friday evening stemmed from a productive five minutes at the start of the second half which yielded a goal and two points without reply.

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 2 Round 2

Upperchurch/Drombane 1-8

Cahir 0-10

Report: Michael Dundon in Dundrum

‘The Church have established themselves in the higher echelons of Tipperary football in recent years. Semi-finalists last year and beaten finalists the previous year, they were fancied to succeed here but were made fight all the way by a Cahir side that overcame Ballina in the first round.

Indeed, Cahir looked the livelier and hungrier early on but a lack of cut in attack cost them scores and at the end of the first quarter the sides were level, 0-3 each. Luke Shanahan was calling the shots for Upperchurch with Kevin Grogan a towering figure for Cahir.

At the break Upperchurch led 0-6 to 0-5, Paul Shanahan landing four of their points from frees, with Luke Shanahan and Conor Fahey the other marksmen. Conor O’Brien pointed two frees for Cahir with Ian Flannery, Craig Guiry and Nicholas Reidy their other marksmen.

All to play for then at the start of the second half but in a matter of minutes the picture changed dramatically. Inside a minute Conor Fahey had the ball in the Cahir net, Jim O’Dwyer having done the spadework. They quickly added points from Niall Grant and Luke Shanahan to open a six points lead (1-8 to 0-5) after just five minutes and it looked as though they were going to romp home easy winners.

However, rather than push home their advantage, Upperchurch then opted for a game of containment. They invited Cahir on to them and the South lads didn’t hesitate. Craig Guiry began their recovery with a 41st minute point. Conor O’Brien added two more from frees in the 45th & 46th minutes and now the whole complexion of the game had changed.

With momentum behind them, Cahir pushed on relentlessly but Upperchurch, to their credit, defended resolutely, working very hard to crowd out the Cahir attack as Ian Flannery pointed in the 51st minute and Conor O’Brien added another free in the 57th. It was all hands to the pump for Upperchurch in those hectic closing minutes but their resolve and some errant shooting by Cahir saw ‘The Church get over the line in a hectic finish.

Next up for the winners is a clash with Ballina when a share of the spoils would be enough for them to top the group. This was their first game in this three team group, and they lined out without some regulars who had minor injuries and who were being minded with a view to upcoming hurling games.

Luke Shanahan was hugely influential for them orchestrating things in a roving midfield role. Pat Ryan, Conor Fahey, Oisin Treacy, Jim O’Dwyer, and Ailbe O’Donoghue all did well with goalie James Griffin offering himself as an extra outfield player to good effect too. Paul Shanahan’s accurate free-taking was also a decisive factor.

A setback for Cahir certainly but by no means the end of the road. There was plenty to admire about their game and with a bit more cut in attack they will get their change out of most sides.

Kevin Grogan was a towering figure for them at midfield where Eddie Kendrick was very effective in a holding role. Michael O’Connor, Jessie Kiely, Ian Flannery, and Craig Guiry were others to have big games for them.

Player of the Match: Luke Shanahan (Upperchurch/Drombane)

Upperchurch/Drombane: James Griffin (7); Michael Griffin (6), Ailbe O’Donoghue (6), Matt Ryan (7); Oisin Treacy (6), Gavin Ryan (6), Pat Ryan (7); Keith Ryan (6), Luke Shanahan (0-2, 8); Jim O’Dwyer (6), Paul Shanahan (0-4f, 7), Paddy Phelan (6); Sean Ryan (6), Conor Fahey (1-1, 7), Niall Grant (0-1, 6).

Subs: Sean Shanahan (6) for Phelan (HT); Dean Carew (NR) for S Ryan (58); Aaron Ryan (NR) for O’Dwyer (60+1).

Cahir: Aaron Ward (6); Sean Leahy (6), Michael O’Connor (7), Eoin Donaghy (6); Jessie Kiely (7), Stephen Grogan (7), Ciaran Condon (6); Kevin Grogan (7), Eddie Kendrick (7); Nicholas Reidy (0-1, 6), Dylan Butler (6), Ian Flannery (0-2, 7); Conor O’Brien (0-5f, 6), Craig Guiry (0-2, 7), Jack Buckley (6).

Subs: Conor McKenna (6) for Buckley (HT); Eoin Wyse (6) for Butler (50); Dara Heffernan (6) for Reidy (55); James Walsh (NR) for Donaghy (59).

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan)