Loughmore meet Cahir in final

Champions Loughmore-Castleiney and Cahir will do battle in the Tipperary SFC final next weekend following their wins over Aherlow Gaels and Thomas MacDonaghs respectively in yesterday’s semi-finals.

The foundation for Loughmore’s 3-5 to 0-8 win over Aherlow Gaels at Boherlahan was laid in a crucial seven minute period in the first quarter when John McGrath banged home two goals.

Loughmore led 2-3 to 0-3 at half-time, but points by Mark Russell, Seamie Grogan and Thomas Hanley inside five minutes of the restart had Aherlow Gaels back in contention. Slack Aherlow finishing robbed them of further points as Loughmore began to weather the storm but it was not until John Ryan netted for the champions two minutes from the end that they could finally relax.

Cahir had many anxious moments before securing a 2-10 to 3-5 victory over Thomas MacDonaghs, a north division combination, at Templetuohy.

Cahir were the better side in the first half and led 2-4 to 1-1 at the break. Paddy Flaherty and Shane Murphy had their goals, with Gordon Harding netting for MacDonaghs.

Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half gave MacDonaghs a huge boost, bringing them within a point, but Benny Hickey eased Cahir nerves with a late score.

Meanwhile, Clonmel Óg are relegated to intermediate ranks following their defeat by Moycarkey-Borris, who now face Fethard, with the losers of that game also set for the drop.