Lorrha finally back in the winning groove
GAA: Tipperary Senior Hurling - Seamus O Riain Cup Group 2
Lorrha 5-19
Kiladangan 1-15
Report: James Hayden in Borrisokane
Lorrha finally found their winning championship groove for the first time since 2017 with a convincing 16-point victory over Kiladangan in a well-contested Seamus O Riain second round clash on Friday evening.
John McIntyre’s side has struggled noticeably to pick up a win over the past couple of seasons but this victory marks a welcome turnaround for a side hungry to prove their merits in this year’s race for the Seamus O Riain cup.
While their margin of victory was convincing to say the least they will still examine bouts of squander-lust throughout the game, most noticeably twelve first half wides and their inability at times to win balls out of a ruck, particularly in their forward line, an issue borne out by the fact that their close-range free-taker, Colm Fogarty stepped up just once to convert from a placed ball.
The Lower Ormond men also appeared to fare far better when running at a well-drilled Kiladangan outfit more so than firing long hopeful balls into their inside forward line, and undoubtedly they will be focusing on these factors prior to their final group game against Portroe next weekend.
Indeed, it was Kiladangan under the tutelage of joint managers Brian Kelly and Michael Quigley who started the brighter, responding with three points on the trot to Brian Hogan’s opening free. Shane Gleeson who impressed during the week at minor level opened the scoring for Kiladangan with a well-struck 65’ before adding another from play. Johnny Horan chipped in with a sweet point also as Lorrha struggled to reach the pitch of the game, firing five wides in total in the opening ten minutes.
Eoin McIntyre narrowed the gap with a ninth minute effort before the impressive Eoghan Sharkey bagged his first of five points from play. By the water break Lorrha had settled though with efforts from Brian Hogan (free) and David Fogarty ensuring a narrow 0-5 to 0-4 lead, although Colm Fogarty appeared a doubt to continue after shipping a heavy off-the-ball blow just before the break in an altercation which saw referee, Conor Doyle brandish a yellow card to Kiladangan corner-back, Paddy Gallagher.
Lorrha upped the tempo quite noticeably upon the resumption with Chris Fogarty bringing the best out of Darragh Egan following a 22nd minute raid on goal. Daniel O’Donoghue gleaned some solace from the attack though, picking up a loose clearance and extending Lorrha’s lead to two. Chris Fogarty quickly added another.
John McIntyre’s men maintained the three-point advantage in the closing stages of the half with Brian Hogan (2 frees) and Cian Hogan cancelling out efforts from Shane Gleeson (2 frees) and Eoghan Sharkey before a booming Brian Hogan 65’ edged his side four clear.
Lorrha were provided with a timely boost right on the stroke of half-time also after Brian Hogan dispatched a well-struck penalty with the final puck of the half after Shane Seymour was adjudged to have bundled over Cian Hogan on the edge of the square; ensuring his side held a healthy 1-11 to 0-7 lead at the break.
Following the re-start Lorrha netted inside the opening after Patrick Maher knifed over following a searing run through the heart of the Kiladangan defense before Eoin McIntyre quickly added a well-struck point. Shane Gleeson responded with a 65’ but a Colm Fogarty point coupled with 36th minute Patrick Maher goal fired the Lorrha men into an unassailable 12-point lead, 2-14 to 0-8.
Kiladangan battled on gamely though but realistically they were hanging on to the coat-tails of Lorrha side now brimming with confidence. With Ciaran Haugh mopping up all round him in defense and midfielders Niall McIntyre and Daniel O’Donoghue providing incisive ball to the forwards Lorrha led by 2-15 to 0-11 at second-half water break
Lorrha piled on the pressure in the closing quarter with Ciaran Haugh flighting over a beautifully taken point before Johnny Horan fired first-time to the Lorrha net on 51 minutes to offer Kiladangan a semblance of hope, 2-16 to 1-11.
David Fogarty responded with a 53rd minute goal and although Eoghan Sharkey bagged three points on the trot in the closing stages for the Kiladangan men it was Lorrha who turned the screw as the tie drew to a close.
Two well-taken goals from a fully recovered Colm Fogarty in the latter stages served to enhance Lorrha’s score difference as they deservedly secured their first win of the championship with all still to play for as we head into the final round of matches.
Impressive for Lorrha were Ciaran Haugh, Brian Hogan, Eoin McIntyre, Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher, David Fogarty and Colm Fogarty while Eoghan Sharkey, Johnny Horan and Shane Gleeson caught the eye for Kiladangan.
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Colm Fogarty (Lorrha)
Lorrha: Paddy Reddin (7), Graham Houlihan (8), Conor Hogan (7), Denis O’Meara (7); Ciaran Haugh (0-1, 8), Brian Hogan (1-5, 1-0 pen 0-3f, 0-1 65) 8), David Sullivan (7); Daniel O’Donoghue (0-1, 7), Niall McIntyre (0-1, 8); David Fogarty (1-1, 7), Patrick Maher (1-1, 8) , Eoin McIntyre (0-3, 8); Chris Fogarty (0-1, 7), Cian Hogan (0-1, 7), Colm Fogarty (2-4, 0-1f) 8).
Subs: Alan O’Meara (6) for C Hogan (50 inj); Eoin Cleary (NR) for O’Meara (58); Michael Dolan (NR) for Sullivan (60+6).
Kiladangan: Darragh Egan (7), Conor Culhane (7) Shane Seymour (7), Paddy Gallagher (7); Jack Loughnane (7), Ruairi Gleeson (7), Matthew Cleary (7); Martin Minehan (7), Johnny Horan (1-1, 7); Tom O’Meara (6), Hugh Flannery (7), Andy Loughnane (7); Shane Gleeson (0-8, 7f) 8), Eoghan Sharkey (0-5, 9), Tommy Connors (6).
Subs: Paddy Coen (0-1, 7) for Connors (34); John O’Meara (6) for A Loughnane (44).
Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).