Upperchurch get hands on silverware

Upperchurch/Drombane 2-19

Grangemockler/Ballyneale1-19

Upperchurch/Drombane secured victory over Grangemockler/Ballyneale in a dramatic finish to the County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Final in Golden on Saturday.

The Mid champions finished the stronger team, and were made to fight all the way by massive underdogs Grangemockler/Ballyneale as the clubs’ junior hurlers salvaged something from what has been a remarkable season for the club.

To get something from their incredible season after defeats in the county senior football final and in the county senior hurling semi-final, Upperchurch were desperate for county honours to mark the year.

Standing in their way were a Grangemockler/Ballyneale team who had been beaten in the South final but turned up in Golden and played some exceptional hurling. They put Upperchurch under massive pressure and to a man gave absolutely everything, but they lost out in the closing minutes.

In the closing minutes, Grangemockler were trailing by just a point. Sean O’Meara had the chance to level, but the Grangemockler man fell to the ground while surrounded by defenders with mentors crying out for a foul but play continued.

A minute into the three added on, Upperchurch were awarded a penalty when referee Gerry Treacy ruled that former Tipp star James Barry had been fouled in front of goal. The superb Pat Shortt duly dispatched the ball to the net to put Upperchurch four points clear.

Grangemockler did dominate for in the further five minutes that was added on. However, the majority of their deliveries, aimed towards the Upperchurch goal with the hope of creating a goal chance, went harmlessly wide.

Those decisions cost Grangemockler and while the excellent Darragh Shelly scored a free in the sixth minute added on, it was not enough and Upperchurch ran out winners.

It led to great celebrations among the Upperchurch players and their jubilant supporters who savoured the triumph and the securing of a county title their club deserved this year.

An early goal from Pat Shortt had given Upperchurch a great boost but Grangemockler gradually fought their way back into the game with the help of a sensational John Lyons goal. Despite being surrounded by a number of defenders, Lyons twisted and turned until he found the space and he blasted to the roof of the net.

Leading by a point at half time, Upperchurch, who now had James Barry located at full forward because his mobility was severely restricted because of an injury he picked up in the first half, scored the first three points of the half.

Grangemockler roared back into the game. They took the lead midway through the half for the first time in the game through a Daragh Shelly free and went two ahead when Mike Lyons scored an excellent point.

They were pulled back by Upperchurch who levelled the game and twice more got back on level terms. Then Loughlin Ryan edged Upperchurch ahead. It was a lead they embellished after the awarding of the penalty, converted by Pat Shortt, and Upperchurch had finally secured a county title to show for their exploits this year.

Player of the Match: John Lyons (Grangemockler/Ballyneale)

Upperchurch/Drombane: James Griffin; AJ Shanahan, Matthew Greene, Padraig Stapleton; Oisin Treacy, James Greene, John Ryan; Tom Purcell (0-1), Pat Ryan (0-1); Loughlin Ryan (0-3), James Barry (0-3), Conor Fahey (0-2); Pakie Bourke (0-1), Pat Shortt (2-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3f, 0-1 65), Owen Shortt (0-2).

Subs: TJ Butler (0-1) for P Bourke, Michael Griffin (0-1) for Fahey, Eanna Ryan for O Shortt; Colm Stapleton for Barry.

Grangemockler/Ballyneale: David Power, James Daly, Michael Meaney, Darragh Lambe, Sean Daly, Enda Fogarty, Leon Kennedy (0-1), Darragh Shelley (0-8, 5f, 1 ’65), Conor Hahessy (0-2), Ben Comerford, John Lyons (1-4), Mark O’Meara; Sean O’Meara (0-2), Thomas Grinsell, Mike Lyons (0-2).

Subs: Luke Maguire for J Lyons, Michael Meagher for Fogarty.

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)