Loughmore get their Tipperary senior football championship campaign back on track

Loughmore/Castleiney 0-11 Ardfinnan 0-6

After an opening round setback, Loughmore/Castleiney bounced back to get their FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship challenge back on course with a clear-cut five points win over Ardfinnan in round two of group two at Boherlahan on Saturday evening.

For both sides this was a must-win game, as Ardfinnan had also lost their opening round to Ballina, and this defeat leaves them facing the prospect of being caught up in the relegation struggle even if they win their last game against Moycarkey/Borris, who surprised Loughmore in round one. A defeat there definitely plunges Ardfinnan into the murky relegation waters.

The opening twenty five minutes saw Ardfinnan on top. They enjoyed generous possession but a reluctance to shoot for scores deprived them of points and once Loughmore found their feet after a sluggish start, the mid men were the superior outfit, more positive in their approach, and certainly far more clinical in front of goal.

It all started so well for Ardfinnan, points from Michael Barlow, Oisin Ryan and Sean Nagle sending them three clear after ten minutes. Liam McGrath converted a free for Loughmore’s opening score after 16 minutes but further points from Gavin Whelan and Michael Barlow had the south challengers in a most advantageous position (0-5 to 0-1) after 25 minutes.

Typically Loughmore, there was no panic, and in the minutes leading to half-time they turned the game around with points from Liam McGrath (two) and Conor Ryan, to find themselves just one point behind at the break, 0-4 to 0-5. Their more direct approach near goal was in marked contrast to Ardfinnan’s over-indulgence in the passing game.

Although Billy Hewitt had the first point of the second half for Ardfinnan, and they also had a possible goal denied them when Aidan McGrath, the Loughmore goalie, saved from Darragh O'Brien, the scales tipped the mid team's way from here on. Brian McGrath and Conor Ryan kicked points to level the game after 40 minutes and Liam McGrath sent the mid men ahead for the first time after 45 minutes.

With the bit between their teeth, there was no stopping Loughmore now. Ardfinnan’s Darragh O'Leary got in a great block to deny Liam McGrath a goal in the 46th minute but Ardfinnan were now under the cosh and in the closing stages Liam McGrath, Philip O'Connell, Cian Hennessy and Eoin O'Connell registered Loughmore points, with Brian McGrath denied a goal also by a great save by Ardfinnan custodian Michael Goonan.

It was an important win for Loughmore/Castleiney and they will take particular encouragement from their second half performance as they face into their last round-robin game with Ballina, last year’s intermediate champions. After a sluggish start they settled in to have much the better of things and in Liam McGrath they had the best forward on view, his five points the big difference between the sides.

Particularly pleasing for them too will be the fine form shown by youngsters Eoin O'Connell and Philip O'Connell when he was introduced, an indication that the supply-line is producing the goods. Brian McGrath, Conor Ryan, Noel McGrath and Tommy Maher also did their bit while Aidan McGrath, standing in as goalkeeper in the absence of Shane Hennessy who was indisposed, also contributed to the win.

Ardfinnan are in a precarious position, certainly not one in which this famous footballing establishment would like to find themselves. They must defeat Moycarkey/Borris next time out to give themselves a chance of retaining their senior status.

They have the players but they need to be more incisive near goal rather than be always seeking the perfect position. Michael Barlow and Gavin Whelan have scores in them while Jason Coffey works hard to create chances. Colm O'Shaughnessy is their key man at number six, while Jack O'Neill, Gerry Cronin, and Aaron Lonergan  also have much to offer.

Loughmore/Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston Tomas McGrath; John Ryan, Eoin O'Connell (0-1), Tommy Maher; Noel McGrath, Brian McGrath (0-1); Darragh McCahey, Ciaran McGrath, Liam Treacy; Conor Ryan (0-2), John McGrath, Liam McGrath (0-5,2 frees).

Subs: Philip O'Connell (0-1) for Treacy (52 mins), Cian Hennessy (0-1) for C Ryan (57 mins).

Ardfinnan: Michael Goonan; Jack O'Neill, Darragh Boyle, Jonathan Ryan; Aaron Lonergan, Colm O'Shaughnessy, Sean Nagle (0-1); Gerry Cronin, Darragh O'Leary; Oisin Ryan (0-1), Michael Barlow (0-2), Gavin Whelan (0-1); Darragh O'Brien, Billy Hewitt (0-1 free), Jason Coffey.

Subs: James O'Mahoney for J Ryan (22 mins), Andrew Heffernan for O'Brien (45 mins), Evan Barrett for Nagle (53 mins).

Referee: Paddy Russell, Emly.