Loughmore-Castleiney and Aherlow Gaels reach final
Commercials were hot favourites to see off their arch rivals but Loughmore-Castleiney held on for a 0-8 to 0-7 victory. Loughmore led 0-3 to 0-1 at half-time, having lost Aidan McGrath through injury after eight minutes. They had the help of the breeze in the first-half and their slender advantage scarcely seemed adequate against the elements.
Pointed frees by Commercials’ Michael Quinlivan and Ian Barnes inside three minutes of the restart had the sides level but Loughmore did not wilt. Points from John, Liam and Noel McGrath put them three clear with four minutes to play but Commercials rallied with points from Alan Lonergan and Ian Barnes. It proved too little too late for Clonmel and it means Loughmore-Castleiney are in line for an unique senior hurling and football double.
Meanwhile, county star Barry Grogan kicked two points in the closing minutes to give Aherlow Gaels a narrow victory over JK Brackens in a semi-final both sides finished with 14 men.
Aherlow looked the stronger early on and were leading 0-7 to 0-3 two minutes before half-time when Cathal Scully netted for Brackens. The sides were level 11 minutes into the second-half when Aherlow’s Seamie Grogan was sidelined with a second yellow, and then Aherlow lost key man Cathal Dillon through injury. Brackens, who had Brendan Guider sent off seven minutes later (second yellow) went two points clear. They looked to be heading for the final when Grogan produced three late strikes to level the game after 59 minutes and then scored the winner three minutes into injury time for a 0-12 to 1-8 victory.
* Éire Óg, Nenagh retained their Tipp MAHC title (3-10 to 1-15) in controversial fashion at Semple Stadium when referee Paddy Ivers, having awarded Holycross-Ballycahill a late 20 metre free, changed it to a throw-in after consultation with an umpire when a Holycross mentor appeared to swap the ball.
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