Last gasp John McGrath goal seals fifth Tipp title for Loughmore-Castleiney

The 60th-minute goal brought the forward's superb contribution on the big day to 1-13

Darren Delaney of Toomevara in action against Noel McGrath of Loughmore-Castleiney during the Tipperary County Senior Club Hurling Championship final at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Loughmore-Castleiney 2-19 Toomevara 1-17

Fittingly, appropriately, inevitably, it was John McGrath’s 60th minute goal that sealed Loughmore-Castleiney’s fifth Tipperary SHC title in FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday evening.

A gutsy Toomevara were within two points of Eamonn Kelly’s side when Loughmore replacement Paul McCahey finished low to the net after being set up by fellow substitute Eoin O’Connell.

Another late addition to the game, Toome’s Conor O’Meara, struck the net tennis-style, one-handed, to cancel it out in the 59th minute, bringing his personal total to 1-2 and teeing up an exciting conclusion.

However, McGrath had other ideas and in the next attack slipped a goal in the final minute of normal time, the last addition to his 1-13 haul the final score in a game where he once again underlined his brilliance as a forward.

Up by two at half-time (0-12 to 0-10), Loughmore-Castleiney twice went three points up before stretching the gap to four in the 50th minute. Toomevara refused to wilt, though, and struck back with a couple, one of them from the inspired substitute O’Meara before that goal-laden finish.

A half that was squared on seven occasions might suggest there was good fare on show but at times it was nothing but a free-taking shoot-out between the top scorers in the championship, John McGrath and Darren McCarthy.

McGrath was almost in double-digits by the end of the period, sending over six frees and a 65 aside from a couple from play. McCarthy, who was being tagged well by Lorcan Egan and Ed Meagher, converted five frees but nothing from play.

Toomevara were the sparkier team in the first quarter, going ahead four times and leading by two points at one stage. With Noel McGrath a quiet figure in that period, Toome’s superior energy levels, particularly from their half-forward line, were making a difference.

They led by two points again in the 17th minute but John McGrath’s marksmanship continued to keep Loughmore in touch. They also had the first sight of goal in the 10th minute when Liam Treacy’s batted shot was easily negotiated by Rory Brislane.

The elder McGrath brother began to make his presence felt in the second quarter and it was the turn of Loughmore’s forward line to show their skills out of possession. Seamus O’Farrell was penalised for overcarrying in the 25th minute, which John McGrath penalised to put his team ahead for the first time in the game.

Three minutes earlier, Ed Connolly’s strike was kept out by Brislane, although referee Alan Tierney called back the play for another Loughmore free, which John McGrath duly whistled between the posts.

A Darragh McCarthy free followed by a snap-shot point from Jack Delaney, his second of the final, brought Toomevara back on level terms. However, Loughmore’s finish to the half was far more polished. John McGrath swung over a majestic point off his left-hand side and then Liam McGrath pounced on the puck-out to give the 2021 champions a two-point lead going into the break.

Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: J McGrath (1-13, 0-9 frees, 0-1 65); P McCahey (1-0); C McCormack (0-2); B McGrath, C Connolly, L McGrath, C McGrath (0-1 each).

Scorers for Toomevara: D McCarthy (0-9, 8 frees); C O’Meara (1-2); K McCarthy, J Delaney (0-2 each); C O’Farrell, R Quirke (0-1 each).

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

Subs for Loughmore-Castleiney: C McCormack for L Treacy (38); C McCrath for J Hennessy (40); P McCahey for L McGrath (54); D McCahey for T McGrath (60+2).

TOOMEVARA: R Brislane; A Ryan, S O’Farrell, L Ryan (c); J McCarthy, B O’Connell, J Ryan; R Quirke, C O’Farrell; J Delaney, K McCarthy, M McCarthy; D McCarthy, A Hall, D Delaney.

Subs for Toomevara: J Powell for S O’Farrell (42); C O’Meara for A Hall (44); J Hackett for J McCarthy (45); C Canning for J Ryan (52); P Ryan for M McCarthy (54).

Referee: A Tierney (Shannon Rovers).