Loughmore begin to purr as Church face relegation battle

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Group 3

Loughmore/Castleiney 2-15

Upperchurch/Drombane 0-17

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Deemed one of the top games of the third round of the County Senior Hurling Championship, this group three clash between Loughmore/Castleiney and Upperchurch/Drombane on Sunday failed to deliver the expected passion and intensity as Loughmore cruised past their rivals and in the process emphatically underlined their title winning credentials.

The ‘Church had turned their rivals over in the Mid semi-final but those who suggested more of the same were way off the mark as Loughmore stamped their authority on the game with an impressive first half performance to go eight points clear. They were never going to be caught, and with their defence much tighter than in previous rounds, the goal Upperchurch needed to kick-start a serious challenge, never seriously threatened.

This was Loughmore’s third win on the trot and they go through to the quarter-finals in robust shape. After conceding seven goals in the previous rounds, they will take great encouragement from Sunday’s clean sheet. Add to that the return to action of Ciaran Connolly after injury and the picture emerges of a Loughmore-Castleiney side coming good at the right time of the campaign.

Brian McGrath was an effective sweeper at the heart of the defence as they shut off all avenues to goal in an impressive first half with Upperchurch struggling to get into the game. The winners were 0-7 to 0-4 ahead after 22 minutes when Ciaran McCormack was fouled, and John McGrath sent Upperchurch goalie Ciaran Shortt the wrong way with the resulting penalty.

Loughmore’s dominance continued to the break at which stage they led 1-11 to 0-6, a hat-trick of Ed Connolly points and a brace from Ciaran McCormack, boosting John McGrath’s 1-3 from placed balls, to put Loughmore in a commanding position at the break.

It was a first half showing Upperchurch will want to forget, and their supporters felt things could only get better in the second half when they would have the help of the breeze. They did, but not sufficiently so to reel in a Loughmore side that struck a killer blow a minute after resuming when Liam McGrath banged home their second goal off a quality delivery by John McGrath. That score ended what faint hopes Upperchurch entertained of catching their rivals.

However, Upperchurch, with Padraig Greene leading the way with eight points, outpointed their rivals ten to four through the remainder of the half but in the absence of a morale-boosting goal, an upset was never on the cards. The Church had two possible chances. Paul Shanahan broke through in the 54th minute but was quickly swallowed up by the recovering defence. Six points separated the sides at that point. What a goal would have led to is anybody’s guess.

Three minutes later, Luke Shanahan’s attempted pass to the unmarked Paddy Phelan on the 20 metre-line, was cut off. Again, the question arises – what if Upperchurch had got a goal. They didn’t and Loughmore comfortably pushed on to record a win that sends Upperchurch into the relegation play-offs.

The manner of this win indicates that Loughmore-Castleiney are gathering momentum and if they can manage their exacting schedule of games between hurling and football without incurring injuries, they will be in the shake-up for honours.

As ever, the McGrath influence was huge in this win, with Brian a commanding figure in defence, and Noel running the show in a roving commission. The big plus was the form of Ed Connolly who hit four points from play and Ciaran McCormack’s contribution was also significant. Tommy Maher and Darragh McCahey also caught the eye.

After the glory of last year’s campaign, it is hugely disappointing for Upperchurch/Drombane to find themselves now battling relegation, scoring difference determining their fate after finishing level on points with Holycross and Templederry. They face a big challenge to bounce back from this setback but will look to such as Keith Ryan, Padraig Greene, Gavin Ryan, Ailbe O’Donoghue, and Paul Shanahan, who were prominent for them in this game, to provide the necessary leadership to secure for survival.

Player of the Match: Ed Connolly (Loughmore/Castleiney)

Loughmore/Castleiney: Michael McGrath (6); Lorcan Egan (6), Willie Eviston (6), Darragh McCahey (7); John Ryan (6), Brian McGrath (7), Tommy Maher (7); Tomas McGrath (6), Ed Meagher (6); Ed Connolly (0-4, 8), Liam McGrath (1-2, 7), Noel McGrath (0-3, 7); Philip O’Connell (6), John McGrath (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-4f) 6), Ciaran McCormack (0-2, 7).

Subs: Ciaran McGrath (6) for O’Connell (37); Ciaran Connolly (6) for T McGrath (45); Liam Treacy (6) for McCormack (52); Aidan McGrath (NR) for E Connolly (60).

Upperchurch/Drombane: Ciaran Shortt (6); Michael Lavery (6), Ger Grant (6), AJ Shanahan (6); Keith Ryan (7), Gavin Ryan (0-2f, 7), Ailbe O’Donoghue (0-1, 7); Aaron Ryan (0-1, 6), Paddy Phelan (6); Dean Carew (6), Colm Ryan (0-1, 6), Pat Ryan (0-1, 6); Luke Shanahan (6), Paul Shanahan (7), Padraic Greene (0-10, 6f, 7).

Subs: Mikey Griffin (6) for Carew (HT); Niall Grant (0-1, 6) for C Ryan (42).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).