Write Loughmore off at your peril
By Michael Dundon
It may have been their third county senior football title in six years and their seventeenth overall, but Loughmore/Castleiney’s win over Clonmel Commercials in the 2026 final on Sunday was one of the sweetest.
With the newly presented Philly Ryan Cup on offer, honouring one of Commercials’ and Tipperary’s footballing greats, the Clonmel club, unbeaten on its path to the final, and with Philly’s son Shane following in his father’s footsteps as club goalkeeper, were primed for an emotional success but Loughmore/Castleiney, as they have done so often in the past, spiked the Commercials’ guns and the jubilation in the Mid side’s camp afterwards was “off the charts”.
Since 2012 these clubs have dominated the championship, Commercials winning eight times and Loughmore-Castleiney recording their sixth success on Sunday. To say the rivalry between them is intense is something of an understatement and this was clearly visible in a no holds barred contest that stretched referee Willie Fitzharris’ patience to the limit, though no red card, and only one black card, was issued, that to Loughmore’s John McGrath in the closing minutes.
Loughmore captain Brian McGrath, in his acceptance speech, succinctly summed up their campaign which began with a loss to Moyle Rovers and later, saw them come from twelve points down against Kilsheelan in the semi-final to snatch victory with an injury time goal.
“Time and time again questions were asked of us and time and time again we answered them”, he declared to the delight of the massed Loughmore/Castleiney supporters.
In his first year at the helm, Laois man Greg Ramsbottom has delivered the county’s Holy Grail in football and he was as ecstatic as any of his players and supporters afterwards.
He has introduced a number of young players into the side, Joey Quinn, Philip O’Connell and Darragh McCahey, to add energy and freshness to their challenge and in the spacious Thurles stadium this paid dividends.
He was effusive in his praise of his charges after their two point win.
“It is fabulous, brilliant,” he began.
“Our lads played to the occasion. They worked so hard, turning over ball and winning kick-outs. We lost our way a little bit in the second half but we came back and turned things over.”
He lauded the great character in the team. “Against Kilsheelan they came from twelve points behind to win to win and that spirit was there again today.
“There are some great leaders in the side – the McGrath’s, and Connolly’s. It is tough trying to balance the demands of hurling and football with the same group of players but these lads have shown over and over again that they can do it.
“Hopefully we can kick on again now and get a run in the Munster championship.”
Next up for Loughmore/Castleiney is an away game against the Cork champions St Finbarr’s or Nemo Rangers in the Munster club quarter final on November 8th. Of concern is an injury to Ed Meagher which forced him out in the first half, replaced by his brother John but it is hoped he will be fit and available.
Speculation that this Loughmore/Castleiney team was running out of steam has once again been proven to be well wide of the mark.