Loughmore-Castleiney book Tipperary decider with Toomevara

John McGrath struck for 12 points as Thurles Sarsfields came up short in the last-four clash in Thurles.

GROUND BATTLE: Aidan McCormack of Thurles Sarsfields is tackled by Noel McGrath of Loughmore-Castleiney at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY 0-17 THURLES SARSFIELDS 2-9 

Loughmore-Castleiney revelled in the awkward wet and windy conditions in FBD Semple Stadium to seal a Tipperary SHC final date with Toomevara next month.

John McGrath produced 12 points in a display of guts and grunt for Eamonn Kelly’s side as they thwarted a Thurles Sarsfields side that had created almost 50 scoring chances in their quarter-final win over Nenagh Éire Óg.

Loughmore-Castleiney’s one-point interval lead, 0-11 to 2-4, felt slender given they had benefitted from the wind in the first half. But in typical form they had embraced the pain and had augmented their advantage to four points by the midway point in the second half.

The graft of Loughmore in the middle third when John McGrath was just as effective as he was aiming for goal was starving Thurles’ forwards of ball. Paddy Creedon did carve a goal opening for Darragh Stakelum in the 47th minute but the bouncing attempt was kept out by Aidan McGrath.

Thurles did bring it back to one point, veteran Pa Bourke producing an inspirational score with his first touch, but they could get no nearer. Noel McGrath was a colossal force in the middle and substitute Ciarán McGrath gave Loughmore-Castleiney a cushioning point in the penultimate minute of normal time.

Backed by a belting breeze from the Town End, Loughmore-Castleiney were quick to make the most of that advantage in the opening six minutes. Ed Connolly caught a puck-out, turned and sent over a first minute score. A second followed seconds later from Tomás McGrath.

John McGrath converted third and sixth minutes frees and it appeared as if Thurles Sarsfields were going to have to grin and bear the opening half. Creedon had other ideas, though. The elusive Liam McCormack soloed towards goal with intent in the seventh minute before offloading to Creedon whose shot packed a punch.

If Creedon had reason to be grateful to a team-mate for the first goal, the second less than a minute later after Ed Connolly had sent over his second point at the other end was all about him. Turning his marker with far too much ease, his solo was purposeful and his strike through and Thurles were a point ahead, 2-0 to 0-5.

Loughmore-Castleiney weren’t threatening the Thurles goal and while they bossed possession they didn’t do enough with it. At the other end, Sarsfields had to be economic with the lack of opportunities coming their way and while Aidan McCormack struck a couple of frees wide Darragh Stakelum and Liam McCormack were able to measure their point attempts perfectly.

McCormack’s score in the 22nd minute put Sarsfields into a two-point lead but Loughmore-Castleiney in the shape of John McGrath showed enough pluck to regain the lead by the 25th minute. In between a couple of converted frees, he showed superb balance to send over his second point from play.

He and Aidan McCormack swapped frees towards the end of a half that could have brought Thurles a third goal when Paul Maher broke through only for his hand-pass to escape Liam McCormack’s clutch close to the goal.

Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: J. McGrath (0-12, 8 frees); E. Connolly (0-2); T. McGrath, C. Connolly, C. McGrath (0-1 each).

Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields: P. Creedon (2-1); A. McCormack (0-3, 2 frees, 1 65); D. Stakelum (0-2); L. McCormack, J. Armstrong, P. Bourke (0-1 each).

LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY: A. McGrath; J. Hennessy, W. Eviston, L. Egan; E. Meagher, B. McGrath, J. Ryan; N. McGrath, C. Connolly; E. Connolly, T. McGrath, T. Maher; L. McGrath (c), C. McCormack, J. McGrath.

Subs for Loughmore-Castleiney: L. Treacy for T. Maher (h-t); C. McGrath for C. McCormack (50); E. O’Connell for J. Hennessy (54); P. McCahey for L. McGrath (60).

THURLES SARSFIELDS: P. McCormack; P. Maher, D. Maher, S. Maher; Cian Stakelum, R. Maher (j-c), J, Armstrong; Conor Stakelum, C. Moloney; A, McCormack (j-c), D. Stakelum, S. Cahill; L. McCormack, P. Creedon, E. Purcell.

Subs for Thurles Sarsfields: P. Bourke for E. Purcell (50); D. Corbett for C. Moloney, K. Costello for Cian Stakelum (both 54); S. Butler for A. McCormack (57); M. McCormack for J. Armstrong (59).

Referee: M. Kennedy (Newcastle).