Redemption of sorts for Loughmore

Loughmore/Castleiney player/manager Shane Hennessy revealed that redemption was on their minds as they recovered from their Munster hurling semi-final defeat, to overcome Éire Óg Ennis in the football equivalent on Sunday.

The double-winning Tipperary champions secured their first provincial win in either code since capturing the Munster hurling title in 2007. They are now bidding to become just the second Munster club to win both senior hurling and football medals after Cork giants St Finbarr’s.

“We righted the wrongs of last week,” Hennessy began.

“We didn’t perform to the best of our ability, and we were sure going out today that there was no way we weren’t going to perform. And we did.

“There’s lads in this group with five and six football county finals without a win in Munster. That was what we were targeting. We wanted a win in the Munster Championship, and we wanted this amazing year to continue.

“Everyone was disappointed last week against Ballygunner, and we didn’t want another weekend of that. We’ve another two weeks in the championship now and it’s just great for everyone.”

Noel & Brian McGrath were among those struck by illness last time out and the camp wasn’t back to full health until the eve of their Ennis trip.

“John Ryan got sick on Monday, but he was able to train on Friday,” Hennessy revealed.

“He got a great point. He did what I told him!” said Hennessy with a chuckle.

“I told him when he goes up, go to the corner and you’ll get the ball. He did and he got the score.”

As for the player-manager, will he be back to fitness to stand in goal for a Munster final?

“My brother (Joey) is in goals now. My injury is beginning to clear up, I kicked a few balls this week. I just felt that even as a sub-goalie, in case I had to come on, I wasn’t 100%.

“Maybe if I keep continuing, I might get the number 16 jersey. It might be hard to drop him. He’s not going too bad in fairness to him!”

Noel McGrath also spoke about his recovery from that stomach bug that impacted him in the Ballygunner game and now has an appointment with Dr Crokes to look forward to on Sunday week.

“I’ve been fine since Wednesday,” he revealed.

“It’s just one of them things. You’re either lucky or unlucky. It just happened to be on the wrong day but that’s the way it goes.

“A Munster Club Football final is a big occasion and Crokes are a top-class side. Everyone knows Dr Crokes and their football heritage.

“We’ll get ourselves right for that. We’ll enjoy this, it’s after being a great win, and we’ll look at that during the week.”