McGrath’s conjure up ingenious winner for Loughmore

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Group 3

Loughmore/Castleiney 2-18

Drom & Inch 1-20

Report: Michael Dundon at St Sheelan’s Park, Templemore

Virtuoso performances from hurling icons John McGrath of Loughmore/Castleiney and Seamus Callanan of Drom & Inch decorated this breath-taking County Senior Hurling Championship first round tie in group three which climaxed in the most dramatic fashion on Saturday evening.

You’d find it difficult to script such a hectic conclusion with goalkeeper Aidan McGrath launching a huge delivery from well inside his own half for the point that got his side to victory after Drom had wiped out a nine point deficit with a last quarter surge that saw Seamus Callanan blast a twenty metre free to the net in injury time.

A share of the spoils looked certain but, after Loughmore won a free near their own goal, a Drom player moved the ball backwards. Referee Conor Doyle brought it forward. John McGrath lined up to take the shot as Drom players retreated. Goalkeeper Aidan McGrath ventured out from his area, called for the ball, which was promptly delivered to him, and then despatched it over the bar for as dramatic a winner as you could envisage.

Drom were not happy with the added time allowed but was to no avail as the champions began the defence of their title in the best possible way and in the process look in good shape to achieve back-to-back titles for the first time.

Fortunes fluctuated dramatically in this immensely entertaining encounter played before a large attendance. Loughmore were on fire in the opening quarter, playing as well as ever, forging a 0-7 to 0-1 lead with John McGrath on top of his game.

Named at corner forward, Seamus Callanan began to move outfield with telling effect, hitting three of five Drom points.

Another set-back was in store for Drom as John McGrath netted four minutes from the break off a Liam McGrath pass, but Drom were not wilting and had two points from Callanan, and a Kevin Hassett effort blocked.

An interval lead of 1-9 to 0-8 was quickly extended on resuming when John McGrath was quickest to react when a Liam McGrath shot rebounded to shoot Loughmore’s second goal.

Drom looked in trouble but responded with four points to Loughmore’s two. Loughmore piled forward again with four more points for a 2-16 to 0-13 lead at the start of the last quarter and looked home and dried.

Not so, however! Showing remarkable courage in the face of adversity, Drom rallied once more with Seamus Callanan leading the way, ably supported by Lorcan Campion, Cormac Fitzpatrick, and John Campion.

Seven points without reply had them breathing down Loughmore necks. John McGrath countered with a point, but in the 61st minute, Callanan was fouled and though nursing an arm injury, took the twenty-metre free and buried it in the net to level.

But the drama was not over yet. Most would have settled for a draw at that stage, but then came the Loughmore free, cleverly taken by John McGrath to Aidan McGrath with the opportunity to launch his long-range shot that proved to be the winning score.

Loughmore/Castleiney’s delight was clearly evident, but it was hard not to have sympathy for the Drom & Inch lads who had come so close to sharing the honours.

This victory sets up Loughmore for the concluding games in the group against JK Brackens and Lorrha. The importance of winning your first round is widely accepted and with a heavy schedule of both hurling and football games, the champions will be pleased to have these points under their belt.

John McGrath was once again an inspirational figure for them, scoring 2-3 from play in a man of the match performance. Brian McGrath, Ciaran Connolly, Liam McGrath, and goalie Aidan McGrath were others to contribute handsomely to this win. Liam Treacy was an absentee through injury.

Drom & Inch have every reason to draw encouragement from this performance. Their slow start cost them in the finish but if they can reproduce their second half form in the coming rounds, they could still have a big say in who reaches the knock-out stages. Seamus Callanan was their “go to” man who rallied them in the face of adversity. Lorcan Campion, John Campion, Cormac Fitzpatrick, Fintan Purcell, Kevin Hassett, and Robbie Long were others to show the way.

Player of the Match: John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney)

Loughmore/Castleiney: Aidan McGrath (0-1, 7); Lorcan Egan (6), Willie Eviston (6), Ed Connolly (0-1, 6); Ed Meagher (6), Brian McGrath (7), John Ryan (0-1, 6); Noel McGrath (0-1, 6), Ciaran Connolly (0-2, 7); Tommy Maher (0-1, 6), Tomas McGrath (6), Ciaran McCormack (6); Liam McGrath (0-2, 7), John McGrath (2-9, 0-6f, 9), Ciaran McGrath (6).

Sub: Philip O’Connell (6) for Maher (50).

Drom & Inch: Eoin Collins (6); Robbie Long (7), Fintan Purcell (0-1, 7), Lorcan Campion (0-4, 7); Mark Conroy (6), Podge Campion (6), Michael Campion (6); Tony Cahill (6), Cormac Cahill (6); Kevin Hassett (7), David Collins (6), John Campion (0-2, 7); Seamus Callanan (1-10, 1-8f, 8), John Ryan (6), Cormac Fitzpatrick (0-3, 7).

Subs: Conor Gleeson (6) for M Campion (HT); David Butler (6) for Ryan (43); Jack Lillis (6) for Hassett (56).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).