Kiladangan flex their muscles to see off Upperchurch

County Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Kiladangan 1-21

Upperchurch/Drombane 0-13

Report: Michael Dundon at Semple Stadium

Holders Kiladangan stay on course to retain the Tipperary senior hurling crown they won for the first-time last year after seeing off the challenge of Upperchurch-Drombane in the quarter-final of the County Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday.

In a contest which never really took off, Kiladangan always looked the superior outfit despite a slow start which saw them fall four points behind their rivals before raising their first score after ten minutes. The defending champions’ hurling was always more fluent and carried more threat in attack, but for all that they will be the first to concede that this was not one of their best displays.

Quarter finals are all about winning – the quality of the performance can come after, and on Sunday Kiladangan achieved what they set out to do, secure their place in the semi-final. And they did it with a bit to spare against an Upperchurch/Drombane team that generally can hold its place against the best but which, on this occasion, faded after a bright start that hinted at the possibility of an upset.

Kiladangan were firm favourites to win through but when Upperchurch/Drombane raced into a four-point lead inside eight minutes one wondered was there a shock on the cards.

Kiladangan lacked urgency at that stage but after Paul Flynn opened their account after ten minutes, Billy Seymour followed up immediately with a rasping goal to level the scores, 1-1 to 0-4. Sean Hayes put them ahead a minute later, but Upperchurch had points from Aaron Ryan and Paidi Greene to lead 0-6 to 1-2 at the water break. Ciaran Shortt in the Upperchurch goal, denied Joe Gallagher a green flag with a top-class save just before the break.

Gradually, Kiladangan were turning the screw. Their defence clamped down on Upperchurch dangermen near goal, Paul Shanahan and Jack Butler, and the ball going into the Kiladangan attack improved. The fruits of this were four unanswered points from Sean Hayes, Billy Seymour, Bryan McLoughney, and Willie Connors to send Kiladangan 1-6 to 0-6 clear after nineteen minutes.

At half-time Kiladangan led 1-9 to 0-8, the Upperchurch cause not helped by three pointable frees squandered, but it was still anybody’s game, though Kiladangan were by now taking control.

That didn’t change on resumption as Bryan McLoughney (2), Billy Seymour (2) and Paul Flynn points sent Kiladangan surging forward. They might have had a goal in the 35th minute but again Ciaran Shortt rescued Upperchurch with a fine save from a Sean Hayes’ effort.

The second water break saw Kiladangan ahead 1-15 to 0-11 and getting stronger as the game progressed. Paidi Greene had a chance of a goal for Upperchurch in the 51st minute but he was quickly closed down by the retreating Kiladangan defence. A goal then and Upperchurch might have mounted a serious rally.

Instead, the Gallagher’s, Bryan McLoughney, Declan McGrath, and Billy Seymour swung over Kiladangan points putting the game well beyond Upperchurch’s reach.

Indeed, the Kiladangan management had the luxury towards the end of giving some of their subs a taste of the action, confident in the knowledge that their place in the hat for the semi-final draws was secure.

It took Kiladangan some time to find their feet in this contest, a luxury they will hardly enjoy against stronger opposition, but for all that, one never saw them losing once Billy Seymour got that early levelling goal. All the indications are that they are on course to defend their crown and that it is going to take a good team to beat them. They are still something of a work in progress, but they have matured since last year, that experience adding composure and a self-belief when difficulties arise.

The half-back line is the springboard for their attacks with Alan Flynn in commanding form and Declan McGrath contributing with some intelligent deliveries. Sean Hayes, Paul Flynn, and Bryan McLoughney were brightest in attack but Billy Seymour’s accurate free-taking was also hugely important.

Upperchurch/Drombane simply were not good enough on the day, but they can look back on a fine campaign which reflected the progress they have been making in recent times. They still have some bit to go and need to strengthen their attacking options, but no one could fault them for heart and endeavour.

Despite some lapses from placed balls, Paidi Greene was a key man in attack where Paul Ryan also shone. Their best player was county under 20 defender Keith Ryan, but Gavin Ryan, Matt Ryan, and particularly goalkeeper Ciaran Shortt were heroic in their efforts to contain the Kiladangan attack.

Player of the Match: Alan Flynn (Kiladangan)

Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (6); Darragh Flannery (6), James Quigley (6), Fergal Hayes (6); Jack Loughnane (6), Alan Flynn (0-1, 8), Declan McGrath (0-1, 7); Tadhg Gallagher (0-1, 6) Willie Connors (0-1, 6); Billy Seymour (1-7, 0-7f) 6), Joe Gallagher (0-1, 6), Sean Hayes (0-3, 7); Bryan McLoughney (0-4, 7), Paul Flynn (0-2, 7), Dan O’Meara (6).

Subs: Tom O’Meara (6) for O’Meara (52); Matthew Cleary (NR) for McLoughney (59); Darren Moran (NR) for Loughnane (60); Martin Minehan (NR) for Connors (60); Darragh Butler (NR) for Flannery (60+1).

Upperchurch/Drombane: Ciaran Shortt (7); Gerard Grant (6), Matt Ryan (7), Colm Ryan (6); Keith Ryan (7), Gavin Ryan (0-1f, 6), Ailbe O’Donoghue (6); Dean Carew (6), Aaron Ryan (0-2, 7); Niall Grant (6), Paul Shanahan (6), Paul Ryan (0-3, 1f) 7); Luke Shanahan (0-1, 6), Jack Butler (6), Padraig Greene (0-6, 3f) 7).

Subs: Michael Lavery (6) for C Ryan (42); James Barry (6) for N Grant (45); Loughlin Ryan (NR) for Butler (54).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle).