Plenty of survivors from final twelve years ago

By Shane Brophy

This Sunday’s County Senior Hurling final between Nenagh Eire Og and Loughmore/Castleiney is the second time the teams have met in the decider.

The previous occasion was in 2013, when on October 13th in front of 7,195 spectators, Loughmore/Castleiney emerged victorious, 1-17 to 1-16.

It might be twelve years on but there are a number of survivors from both teams set to line-up in this years final, likely to be as many as six for Loughmore, all McGrath’s including 2013 captain Ciaran along with this years captain Liam, Noel, John, Tomas & Aidan, who was wing-back on that team but will be goalkeeper on Sunday. Joey Hennessy would make it seven if he comes on as a sub.

Nenagh’s entire management team played that day including Noel Maloney who was captain at full-back alongside John Brennan while manager Hugh was centre back on a team that will likely have three of the team remaining in defenders Barry Heffernan and Paddy Murphy (a forward in 2013), and Mikey Heffernan, if fit, while his brother Tommy should be involved off the bench.

Noel inspires Loughmore

Noel McGrath’s second half super show inspired Loughmore-Castleiney’s come from behind victory.

McGrath shot six of his seven points after half-time as Loughmore came from six points down to claim the Dan Breen Cup for the third time, with a stirring second half display, with McGrath and centre back John Meagher leading the charge.

By the 14th minute, all six of Nenagh’s starting forwards were on the scoresheet as they stormed into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead. The goal, in the 12th minute, was finished to the net by Paddy Murphy after Barry Heffernan’s long ball broke kindly for the full-forward. At half-time, Nenagh were four points clear, 1-7 to 0-6.

Nenagh were awarded a 34th minute penalty when Ritchie Flannery was fouled but their leading scorer Mikey Heffernan skied his effort over the crossbar.

Midway through the half, John Meagher supplied a pinpoint delivery but Liam McGrath still had plenty to do as he plucked the ball out of the sky before burying a textbook goal into the Town End goal.

Level at 1-15 apiece, and in a grandstand finish, Ciaran McGrath and Evan Sweeney stepped up with the crucial points for Loughmore before Mikey Heffernan cut the deficit to just a single point with a free in stoppage time. Nenagh piled forward in search of an equaliser but it never came and Loughmore held on.

Loughmore/Castleiney: Shane Nolan; Tommy Long, Derek Bourke, Joseph Hennessy; Aidan McGrath (0-2f), John Meagher, Tom King; Ciaran McGrath (0-1), Tomás McGrath (0-1); John McGrath, David Kennedy (0-1), Noel McGrath (0-7, 1f, 1 65); Liam McGrath (1-2), Evan Sweeney (0-1), Cian Hennessy (0-2). Sub: Micheál Webster for Kennedy (56).

Nenagh Éire Óg: Michael McNamara; Mark Flannery, Noel Maloney, John Brennan; Daire Quinn, Hugh Maloney, Billy Heffernan; Barry Heffernan, Kevin Tucker; Pearse Morris (0-3), Michael Heffernan (0-7, 3f, 1 pen), Tommy Heffernan (0-2); Andrew Coffey (0-1), Paddy Murphy (1-2), Ritchie Flannery (0-1). Subs: Paul Ryan for Coffey (46), Donncha Quinn for Billy Heffernan (52); Johnny Slattery for Ryan (60).

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla Kickhams).