Loughmore Castleiney retains the Johnny Everard Cup with final win over Thurles Sarsfields

Mid Tipperary Junior C Hurling Championship Final

Loughmore Castleiney  2-19

Thurles Sarsfields         4-10

By Ronan Loughnane 

A strong final quarter from the defending champions proved decisive as Loughmore Castleiney ensured that theirs is the only name on the Johnny Everard Cup since the competition’s inception in 2021. 

A game that was always keenly contested was slow to start and we waited six minutes for the opening score as Richy Maher’s delivery deceived everybody and flew straight to the net. Barry O’Dwyer opened the Sars account in the ninth minute with a point from a free before Brian McGrath (K) replied with a nice point from play. 

Sars got a boost in the 12th minute when a goalmouth scramble ended up in the net with Anthony Guinan appearing to claim the credit. Loughmore hit a purple patch with five points in eight minutes thanks to Maher (2), Noel O’Connell, Dara Nolan, and the evergreen Seamie Bohan, much to the delight of a sizeable audience. 

O’Dwyer stopped the rot in the 20th minute from a free before Michael O’Connell (L) and the ever-improving Emmet Ralph (T) traded scores from play to leave Loughmore 1-7 to 1-3 ahead after 22 minutes.  Ralph, O’Dwyer, and Mikey Lawlor all added points as the Blues finished the half strongly, and when O’Dwyer kicked a goal in the 29th minute they found themselves ahead. Michael O’Connell had the final say of the half to leave the sides level at 1-9 to 2-6 as they retired for a welcome cuppa. 

The third quarter was a quiet affair with Dara Nolan’s 35th minute point the only score from play. Tom King (2) and Brian McGrath tacked on frees for Loughmore as did O’Dwyer (2) for Thurles. Ralph’s third from play in the 47th minute left the minimum between the sides (1-13 to 2-9) but it was Loughmore who found the extra bit in the final quarter. 

Maher converted a penalty with ten to go and added three further frees while Michael O’Connell, King, and Nolan all chipped in with points. Sars rallied late on with two goals from Philly Ryan but it was too little too late as Loughmore ran out deserving winners. 

Team Captain Noel O’Connell received the man-of-the-match award, and he was ably assisted by Stephen Ryan, David Kennedy, Tom King, Michael O’Connell, Dara Nolan John Scully, and Richy Maher. Best for Sarsfields were Barry O’Dwyer, Philly Ryan, Emmet Ralph, Mikey Lawlor and Jack O’Connell.

Loughmore Castleiney: Michael Treacy; Stephen Ryan, David Kennedy, Martin Manton; Jack Cullen, Gary Sweeney, Tom King (0-3, 0-2f); Noel O’Connell (0-1), Brian McGrath (0-2, 0-1f); Dara Nolan (0-3), John Scully, Michael O’Connell (0-3); Richy Maher (2-6, 1-0 pen, 0-6f), Seamie Bohan (0-1), James Connolly. 

Subs used: Tommy Connolly for Bohan; David Moore for Connolly.

Thurles Sarsfields:  Jack O’Connell; John Cullen, Mickey Collins, David Mawe; David Purcell, Mikey Lawlor (0-1), Barry McLoughlin; Emmet Ralph (0-3), Conor Cassidy; Conor Maloney, Barry McCormack, Thomas Fogarty; Philly Ryan (2-0), Barry O’Dwyer (1-6, 0-5f), Anthony Guinan (1-0).  

Subs used: Stephen Mawe; Jim Corbett.

Referee: Philly Ryan (Boherlahan Dualla)