Eddie Brennan's Moycarkey-Borris into first divisional final in 22 years, Loughmore rally again

Wins in Tipperary's north division for Toomevara and Kiladangan

Former Tipp U20 star Max Hackett was on song for Moycarkey-Borris. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Moycarkey-Borris upset the odds at Holycross with a 0-23 to 1-14 semi-final win over a fancied JK Brackens to reach a first Mid Tipperary SHC final in 22 years,  where they will meet Loughmore-Castleiney.

From the start Moycarkey-Borris showed the greater appetite and with goalie Rhys Shelley (2) and Kieran Morris (4) accurate from frees they led at half-time 0-11 to 0-8, Lyndon Fairbrother frees accounting for five of the Brackens points.

Brackens failed to rally and did not get their goal until the 60th minute when Ned Walsh blasted home, too late to make any difference. This was a huge win for Moycarkey coached by former Kilkenny star Eddie Brennan. Tom Ryan, Max Hackett, Jack Fallon, Eoghan Hayes and Kieran Morris were their key men. Paddy Cadell and Shane Doyle were best for a disappointing Templemore side.

Liam Treacy scored five points from play as Loughmore-Castleiney, for the second week running, produced a late flourish that yielded five unanswered points on their way to a 1-18 to 0-20 win over Drom-Inch at Templemore.

Drom-Inch led at half-time 0-9 to 0-7 but a Liam McGrath goal two minutes after resuming put Loughmore ahead for the first time. It was short-lived as Drom stormed back for five points without reply, defender Podge Campion landing two, and a 0-15 to 1-8 lead. Both sides had spells of dominance but with five minutes to play Drom were still ahead 0-20 to 1-13.

Then came that winning surge from Loughmore with John McGrath hitting three points, and Liam Treacy and Ciaran Connolly also on target to get over the line.

County champions Kildangan produced a strong second half to see off the challenge of Templederry Kenyons by 2-23 to 2-15 in the North semi-final. Kildangan got the ideal start with a Paul Flynn goal after a minute but Sean Ryan’s goal for Templederry five minutes later put them ahead 1-3 to 1-2. However, with Billy Seymour very accurate from frees, Kiladangan led at half-time 1-13 to 1-9.

Kiladangan were the dominant side in the second half and were 1-21 to 1-13 clear with seven minutes left when Billy Seymour got their second goal. Padraig O Leary had a late goal for the Kenyons.

A Jack Delaney goal for Toomevara after seven minutes was the crucial score as they saw off Nenagh Éire Óg by 1-21 to 0-22 in a nail-biting first semi. 

With Jake Morris and Mikie Heffernan on target Nenagh improved as the game went on but at half-time Toome led 1-9 to 0-10, county under 20 star Darragh McCarthy bagging five points.

At the three quarter stage Toome were still ahead 1-17 to 0-15, Darragh McCarthy(3), Kevin McCarthy(2) and Mark McCarthy pointing for them, Jake Morris’ brace keeping Nenagh in the hunt. 

But Toome held them at bay with Darragh McCarthy’s ten points crucial.