Loughmore bounce back with comfortable win over Grangemockler

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 3

Loughmore/Castleiney 1-18

Grangemockler/Ballyneale 0-8

Report: Michael Dundon in Gortnahoe

Loughmore/Castleiney are still a force to be reckoned with in Tipperary football. They made the point most forcefully with a thirteen point demolition of Grangemockler/Ballyneale in round two County Senior Championship on Saturday evening, a win that should quieten speculation after some recent defeats in both codes.

Unusually for Loughmore/Castleiney, they lost three senior games in two weeks, two in hurling and their opening football tie against Moyle Rovers.

This rout of the south side underlined the quality the ‘24 county champions have in their squad and they will be hoping to further their recovery when they engage Upperchurch/Drombane in round three with both chasing a win to go forward to the knockout stages.

Loughmore’s answer to the doubters was swift and emphatic. Eoin O’Connell’s goal after four minutes helped them to a 1-3 to no score lead after seven minutes. Philip O’Connell was denied a second goal by the timber. Loughmore were rampant as Grangemockler struggled to match their pace, team-work and efficiency in front of the posts.

For an all too brief spell, Grangemockler got a foothold in the game that yielded four points in six minutes to leave them 0-5 to 1-5 behind after seventeen minutes but Loughmore soon re-established control to hit the last five points of the half, three from the returning Liam McGrath, with Lorcan Egan and John Meagher also contributing.

Leading 1-9 to 0-5 at the break, and with the breeze to aid them in the second half, it was hard to see Loughmore/Castleiney being caught. Grangemockler had a decent share of the play but were shot-shy near goal. Three points was a dismal return for their second half efforts while Loughmore, without undue pressure, outscored them nine to three in the second period, and could afford to give game time to their bench with the points safely in the bag.

Loughmore/Castleiney’s clash with Upperchurch/Drombane in round three is one to savour. ‘The Church have been enjoying great success in football in recent years, threatening to break the monopoly enjoyed in the mid division by Loughmore and JK Brackens. Both need to win so the stakes are high.

The return of John Meagher, a former county man at both hurling and football, is a big boost for Loughmore and he was on top of his game against Grangemockler. County defender Eoin O’Connell was imperious for the winners, contributing 1-3 from the number six slot. Captain Brian McGrath, Aidan McGrath, and Liam McGrath also led by example.

Grangemockler/Ballyneale are in trouble with the relegation playoff looming. Their last round-robin game is against Moyle Rovers, and on this form, they are unlikely to win any points there. They play attractive football, enjoy lots of possession, but lack a cutting edge near goal.

Leon Kennedy, Sean O’Meara, Ben Comerford, Manus McFadden and Mark O’Meara did most to advance their cause.

Player of the Match: Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney)

Loughmore/Castleiney: Shane Hennessy (0-2f, 6); Lorcan Egan (0-1, 6), John Meagher (0-1, 7), Willie Eviston (6); Tomas McGrath (6), Eoin O’Connell (1-3, 9), Tommy Maher (0-1, 6); Brian McGrath (0-1, 7), Noel McGrath (0-1, 6); Darragh McCahey (6), John McGrath (0-1, 6), Aidan McGrath (7); Philip O’Connell (0-2, 6), Ed Connolly (0-1, 6), Liam McGrath (0-3, 1f, 7).

Subs: Eamon Connolly (6) for McCahey (49); Ciaran McCormack (6) for T McGrath (49); Ciaran McGrath (0-1, 6) for L McGrath (54); Conor Ryan for Eviston (57).

Grangemockler/Ballyneale: David Power (6); John Lyons (0-1, 6), Conor Hahessy (6), James Daly (6); Thomas Regan (0-1, 6), Leon Kennedy (7), Sean O’Meara (0-2, 7); Brian Walsh (0-1, 7), Ben Comerford (6); Manus McFadden (0-2, 7), Sean Daly (6), Joey Lyons (6); Conor McGuire (6), Mark O’Meara (7), Paudie O’Shea (0-1, 6).

Subs: James O’Meara (6) for Joey Lyons (HT); Tom Brett (6) for McGuire (55); James Flynn (NR) for S Daly (59).

Referee: Seanie Peters (Aherlow).