Dour Mid Tipp football decider ends in a dramatic late winning goal for Loughmore Castleiney

Gleeson Quarries Mid Senior Football Championship Final

Loughmore Castleiney 1-5

Upperchurch Drombane 0-7

After extra time

By Michael Dundon

Heartbreak yet again for Upperchurch Drombane as Loughmore Castleiney reclaimed the Mid senior football title with a  goal by Mid Young Footballer of the Year Philip O’Connell in the last minute of extra time after an absorbing, if low-key final, at Templemore on Monday night.

Upperchurch Drombane must be wondering what they have to do to win their first senior title. Having been so close several times in recent years they looked as though they were about to make the breakthrough when they led by two points with three minutes of extra time left but Loughmore Castleiney are the doughtiest of battlers, never beaten, and so they proved once again snatching victory in a hectic finish, albeit helped by an error in the Upperchurch defence.

With both sides placing a huge emphasis on retaining possession this was not a great spectacle for spectators but the tightness of the scoring ensured nobody left before the finish. Upperchurch were the better team in the first half and fully deserved their half-time lead of 0-3 to 0-1. It ought to have been greater but four wides in the opening five minutes were disappointing and ultimately proved very costly.

Paul Shanahan(2)and Pat Ryan registered for Upperchurch with Liam McGrath’s pointed free, which gave Loughmore the lead after 12 minutes, their only score of a  drab first half. Just as they had done in their semi-final win over the holders JK Brackens, Loughmore dominated the second half. Philip O’Connell, introduced at half-time, came close to goaling but his effort after 10 minutes, was beaten away by Upperchurch goalie James Griffin.

Liam McGrath pointed two frees for Loughmore in the 51st and 54th minutes to send the game to extra time. They looked as though they might win in the finishing minutes but were happy enough to be level at the end of the 60-plus minutes.

 In a re-run of what had gone before, Upperchurch had the better of things in the opening period of extra time, points from Oisin Treacy and Luke Shanahan giving them a 0-5 to 0-3 advantage at the break.

Conor McGrath pointed for Loughmore 5 minutes after resuming but Paddy Phelan countered for The Church after seven minutes. Liam McGrath was again on target for Loughmore a minute later. 

Upperchurch were trying to run down the clock by retaining possession but a handling error in defence presented Philip O’Connell with the chance to score the only goal of the game after 79 minutes. He didn’t have to be offered it twice, sliding the ball into the empty net for the winning score.

There was still time for The Church to rally, however. They piled on the pressure and in injury time Paul Shanahan pointed but the clock was now against them, and the Ryan Cup, presented by the Loughmore-Castleiney club to the division back in the sixties, was on its way back to familiar surroundings.

Loughmore-Caslteiney will view this success as a timely boost for next season after a disappointing year, and a salute to their much-admired never-say-die spirit. They were under the cosh for a considerable part of this game but their self-belief and resilience got them over the line. Willie Evison, Tommy Maher, Noel McGrath, and Liam McGrath provided the leadership while Philip O’Connell and Conor McGrath were subs that made an impact when introduced.

When Upperchurch Drombane reflects on this game they will rue the wasted early chances which could have given them a cushion to tide them over the subsequent Loughmore surge. They will be disappointed also at the concession of the late goal but sport can be cruel and one does not always get what one’s efforts deserve. 

Like Loughmore Castleiney, their season has been something of a disappointment and they will be hoping for better things in 2024. Dean Carew and Keith Ryan stood tall in defence for them with Colm Ryan, Ger Grant, and Jack Butler also getting through a lot of work.

Loughmore Castleiney: Shane Hennessy; Lorcan Egan, Eoin O’Connell, Willie Eviston; Aidan McGrath, Ed Meagher, Tommy Maher; Noel McGrath, Liam Treacy; Conor Ryan, John McGrath, Eamon Connolly; Cian Hennessy, Ciaran McGrath, Liam McGrath (0-4).

Subs used: John Ryan; Philip O’Connell (1-0); Darragh McCahey; Conor McGrath (0-1).

Upperchurch Drombane: James Griffin; Mikey Lavery, Dean Carew, Colm Ryan; Keith Ryan, Ger Grant, AJ Shanahan; Gavin Ryan, Jack Butler; Aaron Ryan, Paul Shanahan (0-2), Mikey Griffin; Luke Shanahan (0-2), Conor Fahy, Pat Ryan (0-1).

Subs used: Padraig Greene; Paddy Phelan (0-1); Niall Grant; Oisin Treacy (0-1); Diarmuid Grant.

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)