‘Church serve notice with dominant display

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 3

Upperchurch/Drombane 1-3-12 (21)

Grangemockler/Ballyneale 0-5-4 (14)

Report: Michael Dundon at Leahy Park, Cashel

As a statement of intent, this emphatic seven point win by Upperchurch/Drombane over Grangemockler/Ballyneale in round one of the County Senior Football Championship on Sunday was most impressive.

The Mid boys have been in the shake-up for the knock-out stages and sets them up nicely for round two against Moyle Rovers, and while it will be a step-up in quality, this performance by ‘The Church will give them great confidence.

By half-time, Upperchurch had the win secured. A two-pointer from Luke Shanahan in the first minute got them off to a flier. His brother Paul netted in the tenth minute after an awkward bounce deceived a Grangemockler defender. Conor Fahey had a two-pointer and followed with a point for a 1-5 to 0-1 lead for the Mid lads after thirteen minutes.

It was clear Grangemockler were in trouble. They had a fair share of possession but converting it into scores was another matter. Upperchurch, in contrast, were far more direct and in establishing an interval lead of 1-12 to 0-3, with the help of three two-pointers, Paul Shanahan hitting the third in added time.

Three points was a paltry return for Grangemockler, one a Manus McFadden free, and at the interval there looked to be no way back for them.

A big second half was needed from Grangemockler but the first three points were registered by Upperchurch through Liam Shanahan, Sean Griffin and Paul Shanahan for a 1-15 to 0-3 lead after forty minutes.

Remarkably, Grangemockler changed tack and began to have a go from distance. Mark O’Meara hit two two-pointers in as many minutes. Thomas Reagan followed suit after 43 minutes. Goalkeeper David Power sent another two-pointer over from a free to cut the lead to eight on 52 minutes.

Upperchurch had become a trifle scrappy in their approach though they were never in danger of being caught. Luke Shanahan steadied the ship and though David Power was to land another two-pointer free for the south boys, a brace of Shanahan points saw them comfortably over the line.

Moyle Rovers will provide a much more serious contest, it will give ‘The Church a clearer indication of where they stand, but, with former Kildare manager Glenn Ryan as coach under the management of Conor O’Dwyer, all the indications are that they mean business. This encounter showed also that they have the players to be genuine competition for the high-flyers.

The Shanahan brothers, Luke & Paul, shone in attack, Luke edging the man of the match accolade. Young Philip O’Dwyer had an impressive senor championship debut while Conor Fahey, Gavin Ryan, and goalkeeper Loughlin Ryan also had big games.

Grangemockler/Ballyneal’s opening forty minutes were uninspiring with lots of possession but no incisiveness, but when they opened up towards the end, they showed that there is a lot of potential in the team. A more adventurous approach will be required next time out if they are to keep themselves in the championship frame.

Mark O’Meara was their top performer. Manus McFadden, Ben Comerford, Leon Kennedy and goalkeeper David Power were also prominen.

Player of the Match: Luke Shanahan (Upperchurch/Drombane)

Upperchurch/Drombane: Loughlin Ryan (7); Pat Ryan (6), Mikey Griffin (6), Mikey Lavery (6); Sean Griffin (0-1, 7), Gavin Ryan (7), Oisin Treacy (6); Keith Ryan (6), Dean Carew (6); Philip O’Dwyer (0-1, 7), Ger Grant (0-1, 6), Paddy Phelan (6); Conor Fahey (0-3, 1x2play, 7), Paul Shanahan (1-4, 0-2pt free, 8), Luke Shanahan (0-8, 1f, 9).

Subs: Jack Butler (6) for Grant (45); Diarmuid Grant (6) for Treacy (45); Sean Ryan (6) for O’Dwyer (54).

Grangemockler/Ballyneale: David Power (0-4, 2x2frees, 7); John Lyons (6), Conor Hahessy (6), James Daly (6); Thomas Regan (0-2play, 6), Leon Kennedy (7), Sean O’Meara (6); Brian Walsh (6), Ben Comerford (0-1, 7); Manus McFadden (0-1, 7), Sean Daly (6), James O’Meara (6); Conor McGuire (6), Mark O’Meara (0-6, 2x2play, 2f, 7), Paudie O’Shea (6).

Subs: Joey Lyons (6) for J O’Meara (HT); Ian Brett (6) for McGuire (50); Jack Bourke (6) for O’Shea (54).

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Father Sheehy’s).