Paddy Phelan's heroics send Upperchurch into Premier Inter decider after defeat of Gortnahoe

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final

Upperchurch Drombane 0-20

Gortnahoe Glengoole 0-19

By Michael Dundon

Trailing by two points with five minutes left, Upperchurch Drombane produced a late surge that yielded three points and a place in the FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling County Final as they edged out Gortnahoe Glengoole at Semple Stadium on Sunday.

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This contest ebbed and flowed throughout in exciting fashion but, crucially, it was Upperchurch Drombane who were on top in those vital closing minutes, and they will meet Carrick Swans in the decider with hopes high for a return to senior ranks after a two-year absence.

Before that, however, Upperchurch Drombane have a county senior football semi-final against Clonmel Commercials this weekend, with the risk of injury or overload a concern, but how many clubs would love to be facing that dilemma. 

Throughout a campaign that started hesitantly, The Church have shown an appetite for competition and, as the journey progressed, their credentials as potential champions have strengthened and momentum has built to the point that many will fancy them to lift the O’Riain Cup Sunday week.

Mid champions Gortnahoe Glengoole have been knocking on the door in this grade for some time and could not have been closer to a final spot than they were on Sunday. To add to their frustration, a Keane Hayes shot on the hour mark, with the sides level at 0-19 each, struck the woodwork, a score then would surely have won the game for them.

From the word go this was a lively affair, with scores swapped in exciting fashion and the sides level six times before reaching the break deadlocked at 0-12 each. Keane Hayes was Gortnahoe’s inspiration with seven of those points, ably assisted by Ronan Teehan, but Upperchurch had Paddy Phelan on fire with four points from play, and Luke Shanahan’s radar was spot on as he shot seven points for them, four from frees.

The best goal chance of the half fell to Gortnahoe’s Darragh Maher, but his well-struck effort was denied a green flag by a fine Ciaran Shortt save. The Church did not produce any goal threat in the period.

The same pattern continued on the changeover, with the teams on terms five times before that dramatic finish. Leading 0-19 to 0-17 with five minutes to go, Gortnahoe looked likely winners, but points from Paudie Greene and a Luke Shanahan free levelled for Upperchurch on the hour mark.

Next, in injury time, Keane Hayes struck what looked like a leading point for Gortnahoe, but it veered slightly and the woodwork intervened to deny him the score. To compound the frustration for Gortnahoe, Upperchurch charged upfield and Paddy Phelan crowned a man-of-the-match performance for The Church with the winning point. Ecstasy for Upperchurch fans, despair for Gortnahoe followers, as referee Joe Leahy blew time on a fine contest.

This was a big win for Upperchurch Drombane, one which should really boost confidence facing into the tussle with Swans, last year’s beaten finalists. Liam Dunphy’s charges have been steadily gaining momentum with each game, and while they will feel there is still some fine-tuning to be done, they are in a very good place right now. 

Paddy Phelan, with six points from play, was a real match-winner for them, but Keith Ryan’s defensive work was also eye-catching. Add in the contribution of Luke Shanahan and you have the basis of this win, but Paudie Greene, Paul Shanahan and goalkeeper Ciaran Shortt were also very influential.

It was tough on Gortnahoe Glengoole, who have the consolation of a Mid title for their year’s work, but their goal was the bigger prize. It can rightly be said that they are within touching distance of promotion to senior ranks, but in such a competitive championship, fine margins can determine one’s fate, and this was the case here. Gortnahoe shot ten wides in the second half, and that surely was their downfall.

As ever, Keane Hayes was their top performer with eleven points, four from play. Ronan Teehan too had a big game, while Philly Purcell, Davy Lanigan, Brian Maher, Damian Corbett and Conor Gleeson also did their bit.

Scorers: Upperchurch Drombane: Luke Shanahan (0-8, 0-7f), Paddy Phelan 0-6, Padraig Greene 0-3, Gavin Ryan 0-2f, Conor Fahey 0-1.

Gortnahoe Glengoole: Keane Hayes (0-11, 0-7f), Ronan Teehan 0-3, Damien Corbett 0-2, Jack Moore, Fionn Cleary, Darragh Maher all 0-1 each.

Upperchurch Drombane: Ciaran Shortt; Mikey Lavery, Keith Ryan, Dean Carew; Niall Grant, Gavin Ryan, Toby Corbett; Diarmuid Grant, Aaron Ryan; Conor Fahey, Paddy Phelan, Paul Shanahan; Pat Ryan, Paudie Greene, Luke Shanahan.

Subs used: Ger Grant for N Grant (HT); Mikey Griffin for P Ryan (49); Colm Ryan for A Ryan (53); Paul Ryan for Fahey (59); Fahey for Greene (63).

Gortnahoe Glengoole: Timmy Dunne; Philly Purcell, Davy Nolan, Davy Lanigan; Karl Campion, Brian Maher, Fionn Cleary; Jack Moore, Conor Gleeson; Adrian Maher, Ronan Teehan, Aidan Guilfoyle; Damien Corbett, Darragh Maher, Keane Hayes.

Subs used: Lorcan Bourke for Guilfoyle (48); Billy Hogan for D Maher (63).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)

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