Loughmore do what they do in fending off Holycross

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Loughmore/Castleiney1-18

Holycross/Ballycahill 0-15

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

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

SCORERS – Loughmore/Castleiney: John McGrath 0-9 frees; Noel McGrath 0-5; Ciaran McCormack 1-0 s-cut; Tomas McGrath, Ciaran Connolly, Liam McGrath, Ciaran McGrath 0-1 each.

Holycross/Ballycahill: Darragh Woods 0-5 (3 frees, 2 s-cuts); Robbie Ryan 0-4 (1 free); Liam Doyle 0-2; Tiarnan Ryan, Eoin Craddock, Joe Caesar, Ewan Bourke (free) 0-1 each.

A fortuitous goal after just five minutes was the decisive score as champions Loughmore-Castleiney’s pursuit of a second successive County Senior Hurling Championship title in a row drives on to the ultimate climax following this flattering six point win over Holycross/Ballycahill in a well-contested semi-final on Saturday.

The champions justified their standing with another strong performance, taking a grip on proceedings early on and then repelling the persistent challenge of a Holycross/Ballycahill side of whom much will surely be heard in the future.

The goal that established the pattern of this game came in the fifth minute when Ciaran McCormack’s line cut from about 50 yards went all the way to the Holycross net, goalkeeper Ewan Bourke’s advance hampered by those in front of him. It gave Loughmore a 1-1 to 0-1 lead and set Holycross the task of chasing them down for the remainder of the hour.

Subsequently, in a lively first half, scores were swapped with John McGrath, a big threat in attack for Loughmore, notching six points from frees while Darragh Woods landed five points for Holycross, three frees and two sideline cuts, as Loughmore eased to an interval lead of 1-9 to 0-10.

A highlight of the half was the tussle between former county colleagues Cathal Barrett for Holycross and John McGrath for Loughmore, the Loughmore man having the edge prior to the break, but Barrett turned the tables afterwards.

No one was making any predictions at the break. Some suggested that Holycross’ youth would stand to them as the game began to take its toll but others opined that Loughmore are traditionally strong finishers and that this would carry the day. In the event that is what happened, Loughmore outscoring their rivals 0-7 to 0-2 in the last quarter.

The second half was not as good as the first. It was less intense as Holycross sought to reel in rivals who were always doing just enough to stay clear. In the third quarter, Loughmore had points from John McGrath (2), Noel McGrath, and Ciaran Connolly to extend their lead to 1-13 to 0-13, Holycross replying through Joe Caesar, Robbie Ryan and a long range pointed free by goalie Ewan Bourke.

Six Holycross wides in the period did not help their cause but going into the last quarter they were still well-positioned to upset their rivals.

It didn’t happen. Loughmore/Castleiney are past masters at seeing out difficult situations and this they did yet again. Willie Eviston, Ciaran McGrath and Noel McGrath gave them breathing space with points to which Robbie Ryan replied for Holycross who now trailed 0-14 to 1-16.

Holycross badly needed a goal and time was against them. Another Robbie Ryan point narrowed the gap but it was Loughmore who finished the stronger Liam McGrath and John McGrath raising white flags to ensure their stadium date on county final day.

See full match report and reaction in this Wednesday's Nenagh Guardian.

TEAMS – Loughmore/Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Ed Meagher; Tommy Maher, Brian McGrath, Eoin O’Connell; Noel McGrath, Ciaran Connolly; Ed Connolly, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran McCormack; Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Ciaran McGrath.

Subs: Paul McCahey for Ed Connolly (38); John Ryan for Maher (58); Philip O’Connell for L McGrath (60); Joey Quinn for McCormack (60+2).

Holycross/Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke; Cathal O’Reilly, Cathal Barrett, Evan Morris; Tadhg Gould, Jim Ryan, Liam Doyle; Joe Caesar, Bryan O’Mara; Robbie Ryan, Eoin Craddock, Mikey Nally; Tiarnan Ryan, Darragh Woods, David Fogarty.

Subs: Jimmie Lahart for Fogarty (52); Luke O’Mara for Woods (52); Jack Ryan for Jim Ryan (54 inj); Paraic Russell for T Ryan (58).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).