Ruthless Loughmore serve notice in Killenaule victory

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 3 Round 1

Loughmore/Castleiney 2-14

Killenaule 0-9

Report: Michael Dundon in Gortnahoe

As a declaration of intent, this eleven point win by holders Loughmore/Castleiney over Killenaule in the opening round of the County Senior Football Championship on Friday evening could not be more emphatic.

The defending champions appear to mean business as they bid to put back-to-back football titles together for the first time since 2014.

A new management team is in place with former Laois & Kilkenny stalwart Mick Dempsey back at the helm as manager, Dublin player and former Tipp under 20 manager Paddy Christie as coach, and local man Eugene Stapleton joining as selector.

Last year’s successful player-manager Shane Hennessy is this year committed full-time to his goalkeeping duties, and it was all systems go as they put what looked to be a potential banana skin tie to bed with an opening twenty minute burst that devastated the south lads.

Two Eamon Connolly goals in that period, backed by seven points had them riding high with Killenaule yet to draw blood.

The first goal came after five minutes, Connolly on hand to confidently finish a slickly executed passing move and he repeated the process in the sixteenth minute put his team 2-5 to no score clear.

Killenaule were struggling in all quarters. Slaughtered on their own kick-outs, they also coughed up hard-earned possession through untidy passing, and they had to wait until the 23rd minute for their only score of the half, a Tom Keaveney point after which Loughmore hit back with three more points from Philip O’Connell, Conor Ryan and Ciaran Connolly on route to an interval lead of 2-10 to 0-1.

There was absolutely no way back for Killenaule, but they did much better in the second half, winning that period eight points to four.

This was partly due to Loughmore understandably dropping their tempo and withdrawing key men but also to Killenaule’s increased intensity putting far more pressure on their opponents. Michael Doyle kicked two points to cancel similar scores from Conor Ryan and Liam McGrath for Loughmore in the third quarter.

A two-pointer from Fionn Fitzgerald in the 49th minute, followed by another from Tom Keaveny a minute later delighted Killenaule followers but never threatened Loughmore’s position.

Gus Browne and Paudie Feehan added to the Killenaule tally, but it was all of no consequence. Loughmore/Castleiney had their group three campaign up and running, the only consideration at this stage being scoring difference, and its possible influence when determining knock-out places.

The champions will be pleased at such an easy ride in their opening game. Injuries ruled out captain Liam Treacy and Ed Meagher while Joey Hennessy is working his way back to full fitness but got some action in the last quarter.

Ciaran McGrath, Aidan McGrath, and Ciaran McCormack were held in reserve. Clearly Loughmore-Castleiney are in robust health, their sights firmly focused on the retention of their crown.

Philip O’Connell’s four points from play was a feature of their win as was Eamon Connolly’s brace of goals but all round, with jersey numbers bearing little resemblance to positional places, Loughmore dominated.

Eoin O’Connell, Tommy Maher, Ciaran Connolly, and Liam McGrath were also key figures in an impressive opening defence of their title.

Killenaule will draw encouragement from their last quarter showing in particular when they really attacked the champions. Previously they appeared to show them too much respect but when they pressed in the latter stages, they showed promise of what could be achieved.

Killian O’Dwyer, Paudie Feehan, Mark and Tom Stakelum, Fionn Fitzgerald and Dean O Connor did most to stem the tide while Joe O’Dwyer, a non-starter because of injury, when introduced later on also caught the eye.

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

Loughmore/Castleiney: Shane Hennessy (6); Willie Eviston (6), Tommy Maher (6), Lorcan Egan (6); John Ryan (6), Noel McGrath (0-2, 6), Eoin O’Connell (0-1, 7); Philip O’Connell (0-4, 9), Eamon Connolly (2-0, 7); Ciaran Connolly (0-1, 7), Brian McGrath (6), Tomas McGrath (6); Liam McGrath (0-3f, 7), John McGrath (0-1, 6), Conor Ryan (0-2, 6).

Subs: Joey Hennessy (6) for Eviston (46); Conor McGrath (6) for L McGrath (50); Ed Connolly (6) for E Connolly (54).

Killenaule: John O’Dwyer (6); Finn Nolan (6), Killian O’Dwyer (7), Jack Hassett (6); Dean O’Connor (7), Paudie Feehan (0-1, 7), Padraig O’Dwyer (6); Mark Stakelum (7), Tom Keaveney (0-3, 1x2pt 7); Darragh Fitzgerald (6), Fionn Fitzgerald (0-2pt, 7), Luke Ryan (6); Shane Ryan (6), Tom Stakelum (7), Michael Doyle (0-2, 6).

Subs: Joe O’Dwyer (6) for D Fitzgerald (38); Gus Browne (0-1, 6) for Doyle (57).

Referee: Seanie Peters (Galtee Rovers).