Loughmore keep Brackens at arms length

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Quarter Final

Loughmore/Castleiney 2-12

JK Brackens 0-11

Report: Noel Dundon in Templetuohy

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: John Ryan (Loughmore/Castleiney)

SCORERS – Loughmore/Castleiney: Liam McGrath 0-5 (4 frees); John McGrath 0-4 (1 free); Eamon Connolly, Ciaran McGrath 1-0 each; Noel McGrath, Eoin O'Connell, Darragh McCahey 0-1 each.

JK Brackens: Jack Kennedy 0-7 (5 frees); Paddy Cadell 0-2; Jamie Ormond, Shane Doyle 0-1 each.

Loughmore/Castleiney are back in the County Senior Football semi-final following a strong showing which defeated neighbours JK Brackens in a sometimes prickly quarter final encounter on Sunday afternoon.

Neighbourly tilts can often be played on the edge and a plethora of yellow cards, accompanied by two reds, and a black, suggests that this game ventured into the realms of being a fractious affair.

However, the reality was slightly different and while there were a few flashpoints, by-and-large it was a tough, uncompromising contest with no quarter asked or given - exactly as you would expect for a last eight, knockout clash.

Loughmore/Castleiney always had the edge on their opponents and the super-fast start which saw them bag 1-2 in three minutes, left JK Brackens chasing from the very off.

To their credit, chase it they did, and at times they looked as though they could overturn the Loughmore/Castleiney men. But then, the big names would come good for the victors and the gap would widen again to leave Brackens with another mountain to climb - eventually they just ran out of altitude.

Eamon Connolly's goal in the third minute followed points from Liam & John McGrath. So, three minutes in, Brackens were six in arrears. They battled it back to a three point game once they found their feet, with the inspirational Paddy Cadell and Jack Kennedy (2) pointing to leave a goal in it at the end of the first quarter.

Shane Hennessy made a fine save from Brackens' Jack Kennedy before Liam McGrath traded points with Kennedy and Cadell. Adrian Bourke could have had a goal for Brackens but his effort, after a fine attacking move, went wide of the post.

Loughmore/Castleiney finished the half with John and Liam McGrath points, while Jack Kennedy had one for Brackens to leave it 1-7 to 0-6 at the break. Crucially though, a black card for Jordan Moloney in the 29th minute meant that Brackens would have a man less for the opening of the second half.

Loughmore/Castleiney just seemed more capable of cutting open the Brackens defence, than vice versa. They attacked on the break with pace, whereas Brackens' approach was much slower and lacked real penetration. That would have to change if they were to enjoy a foothold in the game.

Noel McGrath and Jamie Ormond swapped points upon resumption and just as Brackens were recalled Jordan Moloney, Loughmore/Castleiney were losing a disbelieving Eamon Connolly to a straight red card for an off the ball incident.

So, Brackens now had a numerical advantage, although you would hardly know it with the manner in which Loughmore/Castleiney reacted. John McGrath pointed immediately and though Shane Doyle and Jack Kennedy had the deficit cut to a goal again by the end of the third quarter, there was to be a further twist in the story.

John McGrath really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and it was his pass which set up Ciaran McGrath for a 47th minute goal which put two goals between them. Game over?

Brackens battled hard with Jack Kennedy (2) trading points with John & Liam McGrath, but they were unable to land any real fatal blows on their opponents. Instead, they lost their numerical advantage when Cathal Scully was also red carded for an off-the-ball incident with nine minutes to go.

Seeing out the game is a speciality of Loughmore/Castleiney, and they did just that, getting stronger as the clock wound down and the route to the county semi-final cleared for them - sub Darragh McCahey getting on the scoresheet before the end to seal a seven point victory.

While John McGrath was a key figure for the victors, as were Liam McGrath, Eoin O'Connell, Willie Eviston and Noel McGrath, it was the performance of John Ryan which really caught the eye. He defended with real presence and drove up-field time and again to break the line and cause havoc for JK Brackens - Paddy Cadell played a very similar role for them and looked like the one rock which could perhaps shatter the Loughmore Castleiney men.

Back in another semi-final, Loughmore/Castleiney will be as hard to beat as ever. They controlled this game from gun to tape and have key men all over the field, who are capable of winning a match. They have posted notice of their intent with this performance.

TEAMS – Loughmore/Castleiney: Shane Hennessy (6); Lorcan Egan (6), Willie Eviston (6), John Ryan (9); Tommy Maher (6), Mossy McGrath (6), Eoin O'Connell (6); Noel McGrath (7), Liam Treacy (7); Brian McGrath (6), Aidan McGrath (6), Eamon Connolly (6); Liam McGrath (7), Ciaran McGrath (6), John McGrath (8).

Subs: Darragh McCahey (6) for A McGrath (41); Philip O'Connell (5) for Treacy (46); Conor Ryan (6) for T McGrath (55); Ciaran Connolly (NR) for J McGrath (60+2).

JK Brackens: Cian Sheedy (7); Luke Ormond (6), Tom Murphy (6), Martin Delaney (6); Eanna McBride (6), Jack Nevin (6), Jordon Moloney (6); Paddy Cadell (9), Adrian Bourke (8); Shane Doyle (7), Cathal Scully (7), Conor Cadell (6); Andrew Ormond (6), Jack Kennedy (7), Jamie Ormond (6).

Subs: Michael Cahill (6) for Moloney (41); James Corcoran (6) for Bourke (41); Lyndon Fairbrother (NR) for Doyle (56); Stephen Cahill (NR) for Nevin (58).

Referee: Derek O'Mahony (Ardfinnan).