Upperchurch Drombane survive late rally to edge Danesfort and seal final berth

Paul Ryan of Upperchurch Drombane.

Upperchurch Drombane 1-13 Danesfort 0-14 

Upperchurch Drombane are into the All-Ireland IHC final in the new year after they claimed a two-point victory over Danesfort into Portlaoise.

An opening half Pat Ryan goal as well as a strong finish was enough to give the Tipperary side victory as they survived a Danesfort rally.

A missed Danesfort penalty via goalkeeper Paddy Hogan inside the final quarter was a crucial determining factor on the final scoreline as late points from Luke Shanahan and Pat Ryan gave the side from the Premier County a merited success.

The semi-final tie was rather marred by a serious looking knee injury to Paudie Greene and the game was held up for a number of minutes as a result.

Danesfort actually made the brighter start with Robbie Walsh, Anthony Ireland Wall and Fionn Mahony all pointing inside the opening five minutes with the only Upperchurch response arriving from Paudie Greene.

Upperchurch then struck for goal when a flowing team move ended with Pat Ryan blasting a shot to the net and it was an advantage that the winners maintained for the majority of the contest.

Luke Shanahan and Paudie Greene then followed up with quickfire scores and all of a sudden, the Tipp boys opened up a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

Greene had made a lively start to the game but that was unfortunately his last bit of action after he suffered a serious knee injury which held the game up for a period a couple of minutes later.

On the resumption of play, it was mainly nip and tuck with a trio of Ireland Wall frees meaning Upperchurch held a 1-7 to 0-7 buffer at the break as they hit back with scores via Luke Shanahan and Colm Ryan.

The second half was a bit of a slow-burner with both defences on top but on the back of Ireland Wall and Mahony who both gave good accounts of themselves splitting the posts, the two players combined to win a penalty which saw Paddy Hogan's effort well saved.

Up to that incident, Danesfort appeared to have all the momentum and although Cathal O'Neill and Des Dunne added to the tally even further to draw the game level, it was Upperchurch-Drombane who finished the better.

Danesfort’s ill discipline really got the better of the Kilkenny outfit with all but one of Upperchurch’s second half efforts arriving from placed balls and even though Richie Hogan made a second half appearance, it was the Tipp boys who found an extra gear.

Luke Shanahan added on two more frees before the end and with Pat Ryan also landing an excellent effort from play, it was Upperchurch that held on to secure a 1-13 to 0-14 success come the final whistle.

Scorers for Upperchurch-Drombane: L Shanahan (0-7, 7fs); P Ryan (1-1); G Ryan (0-2, 2fs); P Greene (0-2); C Ryan (0-1).

Scorers for Danesfort: A Ireland Wall (0-6, 6fs); F Mahony (0-3); D Dunne (0-2); C O'Neill, R Walsh (0-1 each).

Upperchurch-Drombane: C Shortt; M Lavery, K Ryan, D Carew; N Grant, G Ryan, T Corbett; D Grant, A Ryan; C Fahey, M Griffin, P Shanahan; P Ryan, P Greene, L Shanahan.

Subs: C Ryan for Greene, 16 mins; P Ryan for Griffin, 63 mins.

Danesfort: P Hogan; A Byrne, D Phelan, D Coverdale; D Dunne, P Murphy, D O'Neill; C Kearney, C O'Neill; R Walsh, D Dowling, S Hayes; A Ireland Wall, C Phelan, F Mahony.

Subs: R Hogan for C.Phelan, h-t; B McDonald for Dowling, 48 mins.

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway)