Loughmore’s mastery completed unique treble

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Final

Loughmore/Castleiney 0-11

Clonmel Commercials 0-7

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Liam McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney)

SCORERS – Loughmore/Castleiney: Liam McGrath 0-5 (3 frees); Liam Treacy, Brian McGrath 0-2 each; Eoin O’Connell, Noel McGrath 0-1 each.

Clonmel Commercials: Sean O’Connor 0-2 (1 free); Padraic Looram, Cathal Deely, Cian Smith, Peter McGarry, Tadhg Condon 0-1 each.

The Loughmore-Castleiney juggernaut seems unstoppable!

At FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday, they completed the county senior hurling and football double by defeating holders Clonmel Commercials who were bidding for a third title in a row, to record a unique hat-trick of doubles.

Indeed, the new champions set another record on Sunday, three county adult titles in eight days – this win climaxing those of their premier junior footballers on Saturday and the Dan Breen Cup win of their hurlers over Toomevara the previous Sunday. What an achievement by this remarkable group of players!

It was Loughmore-Castleiney’s third time doing the double and a number of those in action at the weekend shared in the 2013 & 2021 triumphs also.

Sunday’s win halted yet another attempt by Clonmel Commercials for a three-in-a-row and also foiled their bid to top the county honours list, they and Fethard each having twenty successes.

Loughmore-Castleiney were many people’s fancies to win as an injury-hit Commercials have not been at their best all year.

Seamus Kennedy and James Morris were a huge loss to them all year while Jason Lonergan got injured in the semi-final win over Kilsheelan/Kilcash.

All inter-county players, what club could carry such losses and still make it to the county final, but Commercials did reach the final and, given their track record, commanded respect.

As it transpired, Loughmore-Castleiney controlled proceedings all through. From Eoin O’Connell’s opening point after three minutes to the finish, they set the pace, five first half points from Liam McGrath winning him the man of the match award as they pushed 0-9 to 0-4 clear by half-time.

Team captain Liam Treacy was also leading by example with two points from play but in the prevailing conditions, a five point lead left the game in the balance.

It was going to require a big Commercials effort in the second half to make up the ground lost and early points from Sean O’Connor and Padraic Looram suggested they were up for the challenge.

However, as they have shown in both codes all year, Loughmore-Castleiney are masters at game management and a penchant for stifling creativity in the opposition.

Commercials enjoyed lots of possession in the second half but found translating it into scoring chances beyond them because of the suffocating defensive work of their opponents.

In an effort to improve their attacking potential, Commercials moved Michael Quinlivan from defence to attack and while he did threaten at times, the goal they needed to bolster their recovery never looked likely.

Commercials won the second half, 0-3 to 0-2, and were pressing aggressively to the finish but Loughmore-Castleiney soaked up the pressure comfortably, their scores from Noel & Brian McGrath enough to counter those of Sean O’Connor, Padraic Looram and Cathal Deely for Commercials.

The sides shared four points in the third quarter, a one point return subsequently for Commercials not enough to trouble the new champions.

Loughmore-Castleiney will face Limerick or Clare champions in the Munster club championship semi-final on November 24th.

They are unbeaten all year in hurling and football and oozing confidence as they move to the bigger stage.

Liam McGrath’s points-taking in the first half was the main difference between the sides but Liam Treacy, Noel McGrath, Mossy McGrath, Tommy Maher, Brian McGrath, and Willie Eviston all had big games for them.

Clonmel Commercials’ indifferent form continued with few of their squad at their best. Sean O’Connor, Cathal Deely, Peter McGarry, Tadhg Condon, and Michael Quinlivan were their most influential players on a disappointing afternoon for them.

TEAMS - Loughmore-Castleiney: Joey Hennessy (6); Lorcan Egan (6), Willie Eviston (7), John Ryan (6); Tommy Maher (7), Mossy McGrath (7), Eoin O’Connell (7); Noel McGrath (7), Liam Treacy (7); Darragh McCahey (6), Brian McGrath (7), Eamon Connolly (6); Liam McGrath (9), Ciaran McGrath (6), John McGrath (6).

Subs: Philip O’Connell (6) for Connolly (41); Aidan McGrath for C McGrath (50); Ed Meagher (6) for M McGrath (55); Ciaran Connolly (6) for McCahey (57); Ciaran McCormack (NR) for L McGrath (60).

Clonmel Commercials: Shane Ryan (6); Kevin Fahey (6), Tadhg Condon (7), Ross Slattery (6); Rory O’Dowd (6), Michael Quinlivan (7), Padraic Looram (6); Cathal Deely (7), Jack Kennedy (6); Cian Smith (6), Peter McGarry (7), Conall Kennedy (6); Joe Higgins (6), Sean O’Connor (7), Ross Peters.

Subs: Colman Kennedy (6) for Higgins (40); Michael Murphy (6) for O’Dowd (45); Aldo Matassa (6) for Peters (52); Ryan Lambe (NR) for Smith (57).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy).