Lorrha and Mullinahone meet for same prize five years on

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Relegation Final Preview

By Liam Hogan

CJ KICKHAMS MULLINAHONE

V

LORRHA

Pairc Shilean, Templemore

Sunday, 12th October

Throw-in @ 2.30pm

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)

Next Sunday’s County Senior Hurling Relegation final between Lorrha and CJ Kickhams Mullinahone brings back memories of their last meeting in the Seamus O Riain Cup Final played on September 9th, 2020, at FBD Semple Stadium with Mullinahone emerged winners 4-18 to 2-19.

So, in essence this Sunday, the two teams are playing for the same prize five years on, then it was to go senior, this year it is stay senior. That was a day when 200 lucky supporters were allowed into Semple Stadium following the easing of Covid regulations where Mullinahone scored three goals in five minutes in the second half to help them prevail in an exciting contest.

21 players that lined out that day will likely do so this Sunday with Lorrha having the lions share with eleven including Conor Hogan, Michael Dolan, Ciaran Haugh, Eoin & Niall McIntyre, Cian Hogan, Colm, Christopher & David Fogarty, Alan O’Meara, and Patrick Maher. Colm Fogarty was Lorrha’s top scorer that day with 0-8 (6 frees) while Cian & Brian Hogan were the goal scorers with 1-1 each.

The great Eoin Kelly scored 2-5 for Mullinahone that included ten of the side that lost to Clonoulty/Rossmore in the relegation semi-final last month. The evergreen Paul Curran lined out at full back with Eoin Fennelly at centre back while Colin Shelly and Martin Keogh were in defence. Sean & Alan Curran plus Mikey O’Shea and Michael Dunne were also involved in the win that day.

Mullinahone went on to take part in the Dan Breen the following season leading to a four year campaign involving nineteen games, winning just six, and drawing once.

In 2022 they suffered defeats at the hands of Toomevara, Upperchurch/Drombane and Holycross/Ballycahill before accounting for Templederry Kenyons in the relegation semi-final.

2023 was a much better year with victories JK Brackens and Nenagh Eire Og either side of a defeat at the hands of Drom & Inch meant a place in the preliminary quarter finals which saw them lose to Clonoulty/Rossmore.

However, 2024 saw the team win just once when accounting for victory over Roscrea. Despite heavy defeats to Sarsfields and Moycarkey/Borris they still managed to avoid a relegation battle on head to head.

Things have not fared too well this year. The loss of Eoin Kelly and Jack Shelly (injury) has limited their ability to carve out victories as they suffered big defeats at the hands of Carrick Swan in the south before losses to Cashel, Thurles Sarsfields, Nenagh Eire Og, and Clonoulty/Rossmore in the county.

For Lorrha, in 2021 another year at Seamus O’Riain level turned out to be disappointing as they were relegated to the intermediate grade. However, they wasted little time in bouncing back as they defeated Moneygall in the county final.

Twelve months later, there was more success when crowned Premier Intermediate champions, needing replay to get over Thurles Sarsfields. Lorrha were back where they wanted to be, contesting the Dan Breen for 2024.

That journey has been much more difficult than envisaged. Victory over Holycross/Ballycahill was not enough to help them avoid a relegation battle made possible by heavy defeats at the hands of Loughmore/Castleiney and Nenagh Eire Og. Unable to get over Borris-Ileigh in the relegation semi-final meant taking on Templederry in the final and Lorrha won 1-18 to 1-15. They were safe.

Moving onto 2025, Lorrha were more impressive in their displays but suffered narrow defeats at the hands of Toomevara in the North, then JK Brackens, Drom & Inch which meant their final group game with Loughmore/Castleiney mattered little. Loughmore won convincingly for the record. Despite the defeats, Lorrha fancied their chances against Roscrea in the relegation semi-final, however, Roscrea prevailed, 1-21 to 1-18.

All seemed well after their performance in the first half but they lost their way in the second as much of their scoring depending fell on Colm Fogarty.

Lorrha enter Sunday’s game with a full bill of health. They will need it all because a wounded Mullinahone team could be dangerous as they bid to arrest the decline the club has suffered the past two seasons. The fitness of Jack Shelly and Conor Whelan could be key.

There is pride in Lorrha too and if they are to win, they will need a full fifteen, plus subs, hurling at their best. They have the ingredients to go all the way.

Verdict: Lorrha