Loughmore Castleiney swat aside Toomecara to continue their search for title retention

FBD Insurance Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final

Loughmore Castleiney 3-22

Toomevara 2-20

By Michael Dundon

Champions Loughmore Castleiney’s grip on the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship tightened further on Saturday as they saw off Toomevara in their quarter-final clash at FBD Semple Stadium. Two late goals made the scoreboard more flattering for Toome, but in truth, they were second best throughout.

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The five-point margin mirrored last year’s county final between the same sides, but the champions were more authoritative this time, three goals in the opening 20 minutes leaving them firmly in control. From there, they kept Toome at arm’s length to secure their place in the semi-final and underline their credentials as firm favourites to retain the title for the first time in their history.

Loughmore’s strength lies in their simplicity. Years of playing together have produced a side that knows exactly what is expected, with every player tuned into the team system. There is no swagger, just an unshakeable belief in their style of play, and it has once again reaped rich rewards.

Toome arrived hoping to overturn last year’s result but their challenge faltered almost immediately. Just three minutes in, Ed Connolly pounced on a defensive mix-up to fire to the net for a 1-1 to 0-2 lead.

Darragh McCarthy and John McGrath exchanged frees before Tomas McGrath struck for the champions’ second goal in the 13th minute, forcing his way through to kick home after Toome failed to deal with a long delivery. Four minutes later John McGrath was on hand to add a third, and only Rory Brislane’s sharp stop denied Tomas a fourth after 23 minutes.

By half-time, Loughmore were 3-11 to 0-11 ahead, with Connolly adding three points before the break to leave Toome facing a mountain.

The North side made two changes at the break and hit points through Adam Hall and Kevin McCarthy, but Loughmore simply raised the tempo again. John McGrath, Ciaran McCormack (2) and Connolly all split the posts to stretch the lead to 3-15 to 0-13 after just four minutes of the restart.

To their credit, Toome refused to fold, landing four of the next five points to cut the gap to eight at the three-quarter stage. But Loughmore’s containment game was in full swing, and as the hour mark approached they still led by three goals.

Seamus O’Farrell finally raised a green flag for Toome, finishing off Kevin McCarthy’s delivery, and a minute later Jack Delaney rattled the net to cut the margin to four after 63 minutes. But there was no panic in the champions’ ranks, and Ciaran Connolly’s late point closed out a controlled win as Loughmore emptied the bench.

It was another statement performance from the dual kings. Ed Connolly was man of the match with 1-5 from play, McCormack hit three superb sideline cuts, while Brian McGrath marshalled the defence with authority. Noel McGrath roamed effectively, John McGrath was ever-dangerous, and Ciaran Connolly and Ed Meagher also impressed.

Toome, meanwhile, will be disappointed with their campaign. They hoped to build on last year but never looked like toppling the champions. Losing Barry O’Connell early was a blow, yet their response to conceding three first-half goals showed their character. Darragh McCarthy top-scored with eight points, while Delaney, Hall and the Ryans worked hard, but they were simply outclassed.

Scorers: Loughmore Castleiney: John McGrath (1-7, 0-7f), Ed Connolly 1-5, Ciaran McCormack (0-4, 0-3 sl-cuts), Tomas McGrath 1-0, Noel McGrath, Paul McCahey 0-2 each, Ciaran Connolly, Liam McGrath 0-1 each.

Toomevara: Darragh McCarthy (0-9, 0-6f), Jack Delaney 1-3, Seamus O’Farrell 1-0, Adam Hall, Kevin McCarthy 0-2 each, Darren Delaney, Conor O’Farrell, Paul Ryan, Jake Hackett all 0-1 each.

Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Ed Meagher; Tommy Maher, Brian McGrath, Eoin O’Connell; Noel McGrath, Ciaran Connolly; Ed Connolly, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran McCormack; Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Ciaran McGrath.

Subs used: Paul McCahey for C McGrath (45), Liam Treacy for T McGrath (54), Philip O’Connell for L McGrath (58), Mikey Ryan for J McGrath (60).

Toomevara: Rory Brislane; Adam Hall, Andrew Ryan, Jake Ryan; Josh McCarthy, Liam Ryan, Joshua Powell; Robbie Quirke, Conor O’Farrell; Darren Delaney, Kevin McCarthy, Jack Delaney; Darragh McCarthy, Barry O’Connell, Paul Ryan.

Subs used: Conor O’Meara for O’Connell (14), Austin Duff for D Delaney (HT), Seamus O’Farrell for Quirke (HT), Jake Hackett for P Ryan (45), Mark McCarthy for C O’Farrell (51).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)

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