Loughmore's focus shifts to football as Commercials chase three in a row
By Michael Dundon
CLONMEL COMMERCIALS V LOUGHMORE/CASTLEINEY
Semple Stadium
Sunday, 21st November
Throw-in @ 2.30pm (E.T.)
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan)
As holders Clonmel Commercials chase a third senior football title on the trot at Semple Stadium on Sunday next, standing in their path is a Loughmore-Castleiney side that still has serious ambitions of its own in the shape of a county senior hurling and football double, following their draw with Thurles Sarsfields in the hurling decider last Sunday.
Commercials go into the final as favourites, and justifiably so given their credentials, but they will be extremely wary of the Mid side, who, over the past decade have been a constant thorn in their side. Indeed, with the exception of a single Moyle Rovers triumph, Commercials and Loughmore have shared the championship for the decade.
It is an all the more remarkable achievement by Loughmore in that they have not enjoyed the underage success of Commercials in that period, yet still bring through young players to re-energise the stalwarts who have kept the club to the fore at the top for so long.
On Sunday, Loughmore hope to halt the Commercials bid for a hat-trick and go into the game on the back of an energy sapping campaign that has seen them in action every week-end without a break since club competitions began last August. They are seeking their first win since 2017, having twice done the double in the decade, 13 and 14, 16 and 17, the bulk of their team being involved in all those wins.
In the semi-final they saw off the other title-pretenders, Moyle Rovers, with an injury time point from Lorcan Egan, having looked dead and buried when trailing by four points with five minutes to go. It was a typical gutsy Loughmore performance, which they repeated last Sunday in the hurling final as they trailed going into injury time only to force a draw with Liam McGrath’s injury time point against Sarsfields.
The bottom line is, Loughmore are never beaten until the final whistle is blown. They have had their share of disappointments however, particularly last year when they lost both hurling and football finals to late scores, Commercials pipping them at the post in the football final when a draw seemed certain.
The good news for Loughmore is that they came through last Sunday’s hurling final without injuries. They had Brian McGrath back in action after a broken thumb and he will be a big plus for them on Sunday. Liam McGrath’s return after his travels ruled him out of last year’s campaigns, is also a huge boost and they now have a strong substitutes bench to call on.
Manager Frankie McGrath and his backroom team, enhanced now by the presence of former Brian Cody aide, Mick Dempsey, have been doing a fine job of managing game time for their more senior members and with John McGrath and John Meagher providing inspiring leadership, Loughmore-Castleiney are in great shape facing into this game. Conor Ryan, Liam Treacy, Liam McGrath have all worn the county senior jersey while Noel McGrath, Brian McGrath and Willie Eviston can hold their own in any company.
Clonmel Commercials, however, are the marquee team of Tipperary football, the only club side to win a Munster Club Championship and boasting a wealth of inter-county talent. In their semi-final they were too strong for JK Brackens, who they beat in the 2019 final. Jason Lonergan was missing through illness that day and should be back in action. Likewise, Jamie Peters but with a squad boasting the quality of Michael Quinlivan Seamus Kennedy, Jack Kennedy, Kevin Fahey, Sean O’Connor and goalie Michael O’Reilly, Conal & Colman Kennedy, they will take a lot of beating.
Loughmore present a different kind of challenge to them. They play their own game and are now over-awed by any opposition. They are well aware of where the Clonmel threats come from and will plan accordingly. However, Commercials will be favourites, but experience has taught – never under-estimate Loughmore-Castleiney.