Loughmore take it all in their stride
Avoiding injury is the big concern in the Loughmore/Castleiney camp after they saw off the challenge of Holycross/Ballycahill in a well-contested County Senior Hurling Championship semi-final.
Winning a county title is one thing, defending it another, but for Loughmore/Castleiney they are defending champions in both hurling and football and next Saturday they take on Kilsheelan/Kilcash in the football semi-final, another big game in a very intensive programme but one which they are well accustomed to by now.
The threat of an emerging young Holycross/Ballycahill team, with a spate of under-age titles underlining their credentials, was well-flagged in advance of Saturday’s clash but Loughmore/Castleiney, in typical fashion absorbed the challenge without undue fuss.
Hurling manager Eamon Kelly was delighted with the six points win.
“We are naturally delighted to be aback in the final,” he began.
“We knew the quality of the Holycross side and nothing changes there. They are a fine team and they will be back again next year.
“We were not at our best today but we worked very hard all through. The early goal made all the difference.”
Looking ahead to the final, he said that that is where they want to be and they were looking forward to it.
“Staying injury free is the big thing right now with another big game in football next weekend”, he added.
Holycross/Ballycahill manager Brendan Ryan could not hide his disappointment but acknowledged the quality of the winners.
“We did not reach the heights of previous games this year and playing against opposition of the quality of Loughmore/Castleiney, when you make mistakes you get punished, and we did”, he said.
He added that the early goal had a big bearing on the game but added: “We are very happy with the progress these lads are making. They are a great bunch but right now they are hurting a lot.”
John McGrath saw the contest “as a battle all the way”. He added: “Semi-finals are all, about getting over the line and reaching the final. We were not flowing in our play as well as usual today but we did enough to get through.”
So, the Loughmore-Castleiney caravan moves on. The big ball will dominate training this week with the hurleys left one side until the following week. It is a gruelling schedule but one to which they have grown accustomed in recent years.
The club has never won back-to-back hurling titles – this year the target is to achieve a back-to-back hurling and football double. Others might struggle with the prospect – Loughmore/Castleiney will take it in their stride.