Liam McGrath goal crucial as Loughmore hold off Nenagh for back-to-back Tipperary titles

Nenagh Éire Óg fell short in their search for a first Dan Breen Cup title in 30 years. 

In a Tipperary SHC final featuring some freak goals, Liam McGrath's was the most conventional. Pic: ©INPHO/Paul Barrett

T ipperary SHC final: Loughmore-Castleiney 2-22 Nenagh Éire Óg 1-22

Liam McGrath’s 48th minute goal was crucial to Loughmore-Castleiney retaining their senior county title in FBD Semple Stadium this evening.

In a second half of freak goals, McGrath’s was the most conventional of the three scores, although Nenagh Éire Óg’s Dermot McTiernan would have wished he made a better attempt to stop it.

McTiernan had earlier in the half failed to negotiate a long-range John McGrath free and Loughmore-Castleiney went as far as seven points ahead.

However, Nenagh Éire Óg, searching for their first Dan Breen Cup in 30 years, tigerishly fought back with Jake Morris in mean form. However, they too required some fortune when Michael Heffernan’s free was left by Eoin O’Connell in the 42nd minute and goalkeeper Aidan McGrath watched it pass him into the net.

The score brought Nenagh level and there was still nothing between the sides when John McGrath sucked in defenders and passed outside to his cousin and captain Liam to strike for goal.

Loughmore, who had 10 different scorers, never surrendered that lead. Mason Cawley did cut the difference to two but five of the next six points came from the mid Tipperary men. In the closing stages, Noel McGrath pushed into a sweeping role to ensure there would be no further surprises.

Corner-backs Lorcan Egan and Conor Hennessy had been charged with shadowing the opposition’s dangermen Morris and John McGrath respectively. McGrath spent the early part of the half as a fourth half-forward for Loughmore-Castleiney but he was largely shackled by Hennessy. Morris threatened to break through a couple of times but the moves didn’t come off.

The sides were level six times in the first 19 minutes. Michael Heffernan, returning to the team after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the semi-final win over Drom and Inch, had four points in his account in that first quarter, two from play.

There had been injury concerns around Liam McGrath and Tomás McGrath coming into the game but they showed little sign of illness in the first half. They and Ciarán McCormack, who sent over three points including a sideline cut from over 60 metres, carried Loughmore’s greatest scoring threat.

After John McGrath levelled the game at six points apiece in the 19th minute, the champions hit Nenagh for another three points without reply. Noel McGrath’s effort from close to the middle of the field under the Ryan Stand was a beauty. McCormack arrowed over another point from the following puck-out and Ciarán Connolly repeated the dose in the 22nd minute to give Loughmore a three-point cushion.

The margin was two when a vital hook on McCormack denied him a goal attempt in the 28th minute. Loughmore delivered another couple of points to stretch their lead to four before Mason Cawley and Philip Hickey clawed a couple back.

McCormack’s sublime sideline finished the scoring and Loughmore had a 0-13 to 0-10 advantage at the turnaround.

Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: J. McGrath (1-5 frees); L. McGrath (1-3); C. McCormack (0-3, 1 sideline); T. McGrath, C. Connolly, N. McGrath (0-2 each); E. Connolly, B. McGrath, L. Treacy, E. Meagher (0-1 each).

Scorers for Nenagh Éire Óg: M. Heffernan (1-8, 1-3 frees, 1 65); J. Morris (0-5); P. Hickey, J. Keller, M. Cawley (0-2 each); S. O’Farrell, J. Mackey, T. Heffernan (0-1 each).

LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY: A. McGrath; E. Meagher, W. Eviston, B. McGrath; J. Ryan, L. Egan, E. O’Connell; N. McGrath, C. Connolly; E. Connolly, T. McGrath, C. McCormack; J. McGrath, L. McGrath (c), C. McGrath.

Subs for Loughmore-Castleiney: L. Treacy for C. McGrath (h-t); T. Maher for E. Connolly (inj 43); D. McCahey for E. O’Connell (44); P. McCahey for C. McCormack (51); P. O’Connell for L. McGrath (62).

NENAGH ÉIRE ÓG: D. McTiernan; J. Donelan-Holohan, M. Carey; P. Murphy, B. Heffernan, M. Cawley; C. Ryan, J. Mackey; J. Keller, J. Morris, S. O’Farrell; M. Heffernan, P. Hickey, B. West.

Subs for Nenagh Éire Óg: T. Heffernan for B. West (32); A. Carey for J. Mackey (47); C. McCarthy for M. Carey (54); B. O’Brien for P. Hickey (56).

Referee: C. Doyle (Silvermines)