Late goal not enough to thwart powerful Upperchurch Drombane performance

Centenary Agri Mid Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Upperchurch Drombane 1-18

Loughmore Castleiney 2-14

Beaten finalists last year, Upperchurch Drombane are once more on the cusp of achieving that elusive first Centenary Agri Mid senior hurling title following this gripping victory over Loughmore Castleiney in an entertaining semi-final at The Ragg on Sunday that went right down to the wire.

Following their impressive disposal of Drom & Inch in the quarter-final a week earlier Loughmore Castleiney had many admirers but with too many of their top men in somewhat subdued form, they can have no complaint at losing to an Upperchurch Drombane contingent that emphatically endorsed their title-winning credentials with a performance full of energy and quality play.

The Church have been knocking on the door of championship success for a few years and are better placed now than at any time previously to make the breakthrough. Standing in their way this weekend are Thurles Sarsfields and it should be a cracking contest to determine the destination of the Johnny Leahy cup.

The clash with Loughmore may have lacked real championship fervour for quite a bit but when the chips were down in the closing stages as Loughmore Castleiney sought to reel in their opponents, Upperchurch-Drombane showed admirable courage and resilience and fully deserved to advance, Loughmore’s second goal coming deep into injury time.

A modest enough first half was redeemed by the closeness of the scoring as the sides traded points being level on five occasions and at 0-5 each after the first quarter. Paddy Pehlan was an impressive addition to the Upperchurch attack and Luke Shanahan was doing a lot of work outfield with Keith Ryan too getting on to a lot of ball.

Loughmore were below their best though Brian McGrath, Lorcan Egan, and Ed Connolly were productively busy and in injury time of the first half Ed Connolly availed of a turnover to shoot a Loughmore goal for an interval lead of 1-9 to 0-10.

Very much anybody’s game at the break, but the opening eight minutes of the second half saw Upperchurch take a firm grip on proceedings with points from Colm Ryan, Padraig Greene (free), Aaron Ryan and Gavin Ryan (free) to go two points clear.
It got better when Paddy Phelan made room for himself in a tight situation to get off a shot that found the net for a 1-14 to 1-10 lead.

Not surprisingly there was a Loughmore response as they outscored their rivals four to two and also saw an Ed Connolly shot for goal saved by Ciaran short in the Upperchurch goal. Loughmore were attacking persistently but the Upperchurch defence was up to the challenge and were two points clear with 58 minutes gone.

Points by Jack Butler and Aaron Ryan eased the pressure on them but Liam McGrath’s goal for Loughmore in injury time had the deficit down to a point.

It was nail-biting stuff at the finish but Upperchurch were rewarded for their bravery and determination as they held on for a memorable win and a place in the final this weekend.

There is much to admire about this Upperchurch team which is showing that last year’s great run at Mid and county level was no flash in the pan. Sunday’s opposition were never easily beaten, but Upperchurch showed how much they have progressed by the manner in which they kept their composure under pressure and had the self-belief to see the contest through where lesser sides might have faltered.

The Church had heroes all over the field and achieved their goal without using any subs. Paddy Phelan had a capital game in attack as did Luke Shanahan and midfielder Aaron Ryan. Keith Ryan, and AJ Shanahan were solid all the way and goalkeeper Ciaran Shortt inspired confidence behind them.

Loughmore Castleiney thoughts now turn to the county championship in two weeks' time.

Disappointingly Ciaran Connolly who has been sidelined by injury for so long, had to again retire after coming on as a sub and that will be a concern for them.

They will want to put this display behind them quickly but no better men to do so. Granted this is a setback, but there is a lot of hurling to be done yet.

Few of their top men played to their potential but Liam and Brian McGrath provided leadership with John Ryan, Tommy Maher, Willie Eviston, and Ed Connolly early on also doing their bit.

Upperchurch Drombane: Ciaran Shortt; Michael Lavery, Gerard Grant, A J Shanahan; Keith Ryan, Gavin Ryan (0-4, 0-2f), Ailbe O’Donoghue (0-1); Aaron Ryan (0-4), Paddy Phelan (1-2); Jack Butler (0-2), Colm Ryan (0-1), Michael Griffin; Luke Shanahan (0-2), Paul Shanahan, Padraig Greene (0-2,1f).

No subs used.

Loughmore Castleiney: Micheal McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Darragh McCahey; John Ryan (0-1), Brian McGrath, Tommy Maher (0-1); Tomas McGrath, Aidan McGrath; Liam McGrath (1-4), Noel McGrath (0-2) Ed Connolly (1-0); Ciaran McCormack (0-1), Ciaran McGrath (0-1), John McGrath (0-4, 0-2f).

Subs used: Ciaran Connolly for A McGrath (HT); Edward Meagher for C McCormack (44); Philip O’Connell for E Connolly (51), Eoin O’Connell for C Connolly (57).

Referee: PJ Nolan (Killea)