John McGrath applies the finishing touch for double-chasing Loughmore
Loughmore-Castleiney manager Eamonn Kelly celebrates with his grandson Tadhg Kiernan, age 18 months, and Noel McGrath, left, after the Tipperary County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Loughmore-Castleiney and Toomevara at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Excitement came late in this Tipperary senior hurling final and when it did, it brought a fifth senior county hurling title for the dual dynasty of Loughmore-Castleiney.
For the fourth year in a row, it appeared this game might go to a replay only for John McGrath to end the trend. With one free arm, Toomevara substitute Conor O’Meara had smashed a volley to the net in the 59th minute, cancelling out fellow replacement Paul McCahey’s goal two minutes later.
In their delight, and perhaps they could be excused with this being their first final appearance in 16 years, Toomevara let their guard down. Noel McGrath sent the ball into the Toomevara half. Stalwart full-back Andrew Ryan, a huge presence for Toomevara throughout the game, fumbled in trying to retrieve a ball under pressure from John McGrath.
Jake Hackett then tried to shield McGrath away from the goal but that’s exactly what the Loughmore man had on his mind and slipped the ball under Rory Brislane, who had been equal to two shots in the first half. Bringing his total for the day to 1-13, it was fitting that McGrath applied the winning touch.
No more scores followed. Twice, the gem that is Darragh McCarthy struck for the goal from close-range frees but nothing came of either and Loughmore-Castleiney were out of reach.
It was a tribute to Toomevara that they didn’t bow their heads when McCahey finished a move carved out by Eoin O’Connell, who was also introduced in the second half. Scoring 1-2 at the other end, O’Meara was an inspired addition himself but his efforts came up short.
“It's fantastic to get across the line,” said Loughmore-Castleiney manager Eamonn Kelly. “It's a relief. It was a tough game, which we knew we'd get. It's an old cliché but goals win matches and we got the goals at the crucial times we needed them.
“We were saying that we needed a goal because they were defending well. We got through maybe two or three times in the first half and we didn't finish them off. Eoin O'Connell is a young fella who started all the games but he didn't make the last couple. And Paul McCahey, they're both only 19 years of age but they made a huge impact."
Up by two at half-time (0-12 to 0-10), Loughmore-Castleiney stretched the gap to four in the 50th minute. Toomevara refused to wilt and struck back with a couple, one from O’Meara before that goal-laden finish.
"I wasn't expecting to get away from them,” insisted Kelly. “Nobody has gotten away from them, really. They've been very competitive all year. They're a club with massive tradition but they have a new bunch coming now again. Even under-age in North Tipperary, I think they were nearly in every final. They're coming like a train and they'll be a force to be reckoned with in time.
“I thought Lorcan Egan did a quality job on Darragh McCarthy and Brian McGrath was there for every break off it. Darragh is a fantastic hurler and he'll have big days in Thurles again."
Toomevara manager Ken Dunne was proud of his players for sticking with their fancied opponents to the death. “We had our homework done and they had their homework done and we cancelled each other out a lot and it became a bit of a battle around the middle again as usual.
“They probably just got the scores at the vital times at the end. The first goal was huge. I thought we responded really well. When our goal went in I thought we had a right chance but then they went down the field, Noel got the ball from the puckout, went down towards John, great goal.”Â
Watched by a 6,842 crowd in FBD Semple Stadium, a first half was squared on seven occasions but a times it was simply a free-taking shootout between the top scorers in the championship, McGrath and McCarthy.
McGrath was almost in double-digits by the end of the half, sending over six frees and a 65 aside from a couple from play. McCarthy, who was being tagged well by Egan, converted five frees but nothing from play.
Toomevara were the sparkier early on, going ahead four times and leading by two points at one stage. With Noel McGrath a quiet figure, 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 kept Loughmore within reach. They also had the first sight of goal in the 10th minute when Liam Treacy’s batted shot was easily negotiated by Brislane.
The elder McGrath brother began to make his presence felt in the second quarter and Loughmore went ahead for the first time in the 25th minute. 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.
The lead changed hands one more time prior to Loughmore finishing out the half with the last three points of the half, a head they never surrendered.
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).
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).
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.
: 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).
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.
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).
A. Tierney (Shannon Rovers).
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