Loughmore/Castleiney remain on course for hurling and football championship double in Tipperary

Loughmore/Castleiney 2-16 Moyle Rovers 0-5

Nobody saw this coming. Moyle Rovers, unbeaten in this year’s campaign, and many people’s fancy for ultimate honours, were trounced by a rampant Loughmore/Castleiney in the FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship semi-final at Leahy Park Cashel on Sunday last, to set up what promises to be an epic final with arch rivals Clonmel Commercials on Sunday week, October 20.

South champions and County League winners Moyle Rovers were seeking to break the dominance of Loughmore/Castleiney and Clonmel Commercials in recent years but, in boxing parlance, they never laid a glove on opponents who outplayed them in every aspect of the game, and who had their spot in the final booked by half-time.

The Mid team had the luxury of being able to withdraw some key players towards the finish to keep them fresh for the county hurling final against Toomevara this weekend.

Billed as the game of the week, it was a non-event. Brian McGrath’s point put Loughmore 0-3 to 0-2 ahead after ten minutes and they never looked back. In typical Loughmore fashion they turned the screw slowly, and with Liam McGrath on his game from play and frees, they were 0-11 to 0-2 clear by half-time.

Loughmore were far more incisive in their movements and always seemed to have a player popping up in space to continue an attack.

In contrast, much of Moyle Rovers’ play was lateral and recycling back into defence, so much so that Joey Hennessy, deputising in goal for injured Loughmore goalkeeper and manager Cian Hennessy, was never tested.

With Loughmore, what you see is what you get. They work hard, do the simple things well, and in addition have the class to capitalise on the chances created. There is no magic formula. All the players know what is expected of them. They buy into the game plan unselfishly and deliver consistently game after game.

Liam McGrath was the standout player for them in the first half, kicking six points, two from play.

They showed an energy and hunger surprising for a bunch of players lining out week after week without a break, and at halfway it was apparent that nothing short of a miracle was going to save the day for Moyle Rovers. Their cause was not helped by a black card for Ben Owens after 25 minutes.

Rovers needed a big second half but their hopes of redemption were dashed inside a minute, as Ciaran McGrath was on the end of a crisp Loughmore move, shooting past Shane Ryan in the Rovers goal.

That really ended this encounter as a contest and in the 41st minute Philip O’Connell, who had just been introduced, signalled his arrival with a smartly taken second goal for a 2-12 to 0-2 lead for Loughmore.

It was a story of damage limitations for Rovers now, and to their credit they battled bravely, with points from Rian Quigley, Ger O’Sullivan and Liam Boland. But there was never the slightest hint of a revival, and to add to their misery they had Ben Owens red-carded for a rash challenge four minutes from the end.

On the evidence of this game, Loughmore have all the qualities to lift the football title and halt Commercials’ bid for a three-in-a-row, but encounters between these sides tend to have a life of their own and seldom conform to expectations.

They last won the championship three years ago when they did the double by taking the hurling crown also.

This time they have been fortunate to avoid injuries, despite the heavy workload, and they appeared to come through unscathed against Moyle Rovers, management taking the precaution of withdrawing key players when it was clear the spot in the final was beyond question.

Liam McGrath’s points in the first half established the base for the Loughmore win while Brian McGath, Lorcan Egan, Tommy Maher and Ciaran McGrath were also very busy. Noel McGrath was as ever the orchestrator, while Philip O’Connell also made an impression when introduced.

It was a devastating afternoon for Moyle Rovers, Ben Owens’ red card late on a symptom of their frustration. They went into the game in buoyant mood but on the day never produced the incisive football that had stood so well to them up to now. There was no area of the field where they troubled the opposition but it is fair to say that they are a much better team than they showed here.

They didn’t do themselves justice and unfortunately for them have no opportunity this year to make amends. It should also be recorded that they lined out without influential county man Stephen Quirke, who is injured, and a huge loss to their attacking options.

Goalkeeper Shane Ryan could do nothing about the goals that beat him. Luke Boland worked hard at the heart of their defence with Ben Owens and Rian Quigley putting in a solid shift at midfield. Ger O’Sullivan and Liam Boland gave it everything in attack but all round they were well off the mark needed to oust Loughmore.

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Loughmore/Castleiney: Joey Hennessy; Lorcan Egan (0-1), Willie Eviston, John Ryan; Daragh McCahey, Mossy McGrath, Eoin O’ Connell (0-1); Noel McGrath (0-1), Liam Treacy (0-2); Brian McGrath (0-1), Tommy Maher, Eamon Connolly (0-1); Liam McGrath (0-7,5fs), Ciaran McGrath (1-0), John McGrath.

Subs: Philip O’Connell (1-1) for C McGrath (40 mins), Aidan McGrath for L McGrath (43 mins), Ed Meagher for J McGrath (48 mins), Ciaran Connolly for N McGrath (52 mins), Conor Ryan (0-1) for T McGrath (54 mins).

Moyle Rovers: Shane Ryan; Conor McGrath, Graham Vaughan, Jack Harney; Cathal McKeown, Luke Boland, Brian McKeown; Ben Owens, Rian Quigley (0-2); Cian O’ Sullivan, Liam Boland (0-2fs), Rory Collins; Dara Ryan, Ger O’ Sullivan (0-1), Shane Foley.

Subs: Richard Power for Harney (25 mins), Killian Butler for C O’ Sullivan (25 mins), Dean English for S Foley (35 mins), Diarmuid Foley for B McKeown (38 mins), Michael O’Reilly for D Ryan (54 mins).

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney, Ardfinnan.