Upperchurch/Drombane reach Munster final with performance of raw courage

Upperchurch/Drombane 2-14 Ballinhassig (Cork) 0-17

A performance bursting with heart and character got Upperchurch/Drombane over the line in a pulsating AIB Munster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday last against Cork champions Ballinhassig. Their reward for their mighty effort is a place in the final against Clare’s O'Callaghan Mills on Saturday November 29.

A goal in either half tipped the balance in favour of the Tipp champions on what was their first foray into provincial action. Never headed at any stage, they still had to draw heavily on their reserves of raw courage to get them through, as a historic year for the club pushes on towards the ultimate accolade in Munster intermediate hurling.

Having reclaimed their senior status at the third attempt, Upperchurch/Drombane might have been expected to sit back and enjoy their county glory. But the opportunity for a unique Munster success was not to be passed up and they now find themselves one game away from an historic title, and playing with a confidence that could well carry them to ultimate glory.

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It has to be acknowledged that Ballinhassing are a third tier team in Cork, with Upperchurch emerging from the second tier in Tipp, but this in no way takes from the merit of the Upperchurch achievement. They were the better team on the day, marginally so, the determination of their work off the ball in closing down the opposition, also a key factor in this win.

This was seen as early as the fifth minute when an attempted Ballinhassing clearance was blocked down, presenting Pat Ryan with the chance to shoot Upperchurch’s first goal for a 1-1 to 0-1 lead. The Church might have had a second goal shortly afterwards but Cork senior goalie Patrick Collins defied Conor Fahey.

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Each side was enjoying spells of superiority. Ballinhassing hit three points between the 15th and 19th minutes to level at 0-5 to 1-2 and later Upperchurch had five unanswered points from the very impressive Aaron Ryan, whose brace registered his third point of the game, as well as scores from Liam Shanahan, Paul Shanahan and Gavin Ryan to go 1-8 to 0-6 clear coming to the break.

Just as it looked as though the Tipp champions were taking command, back came Ballinhassing to score the last three points of the half, leaving them well-placed at the break, although 0-9 to 1-8 adrift.

Upperchurch found themselves on the back foot early on in the second half, as Ballinhassing gained parity inside four minutes (1-8 to 0-11), but once more the Tipp lads responded with three points from Paudie Greene, Liam Shanahan and a great Dean Carew strike. Ballinhassig bounced back with two points. Liam Shanahan countered for Upperchurch, who then hit the really decisive score when Paudie Greene set up Conor Fahey for their second goal and a 2-12 to 0-13 lead with nine minutes to play.

The Cork boys were not giving up. Two points from them left a goal in it. Paddy Phelan’s sweet strike eased the pressure on The Church, but Ballinhassing came again for two more points to trail by just two going into injury time.

It was a precarious lead to defend, but Upperchurch were in no mood to relent and Pat Ryan’s perfectly-executed sideline cut after 62 minutes saw them through, Ballinhassig’s cause not helped by losing Brian Lynch to a second yellow card shortly afterwards, but by then The  Church had their spot in the final secure.

It was a great victory for Upperchurch/Drombane, who, after a slow start to the year, are coming into form at the right time. In this encounter team captain Keith Ryan was outstanding at full back, his interventions and surges outfield an inspiration to those around him. Hugely influential too were Aaron Ryan’s three points from play in the first half while Dean Carew, Conor Fahey and the Shanahan brothers all played key roles in this win.

Ballinhassing came to Thurles with a considerable reputation. Winning a championship in Cork is never easy and this was their third foray into Munster action. They matched Upperchurch most of the way but the Tipp lads got goals and that made all the difference. 

Ballinhassing had top performances from Darragh O'Sullivan, Charlie Grainger, Ger Collins and Shane McCarthy, while Cork senior goalie Patrick Collins, although beaten twice, had to be at his best to prevent further green flags for Upperchurch.

Upperchurch scorers: L Shanahan (0-5,3fs), P Ryan (1-1), C Fahey (1-0), A Ryan (0-3), G Ryan, P Shanahan, P Greene, D Carew, P Phelan (0-1 each).

Ballinhassig scorers: G Collins (0-6, 6fs), S McCarthy, M Collins (0-2 each), D O'Sullivan, F O'Leary, B Lynch, C Cullinane, S O' Neill, P Collins, C Desmond (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: Colm Ryan for Greene (57 mins), Mikey Griffin for D Grant (60 mins), Paul Ryan for P Ryan (61 mins).

Ballinhassig: Patrick Collins; Donnacha O'Donovan, Kevin Maguire, Patrick O'Leary; James O'Callaghan, Darragh O'Sullivan, Eoin Lombard; Charlie Grainger, Conor Desmond; Evan Cullinane, Michael Collins, Shane McCarthy; Fintan O'Leary, Ger Collins, Sean Lombard.

Subs: Jamie Lyne for O'Callaghan (h/t), Brian Lynch for F O'Leary (38 mins), Simon O'Neill for Cullinane (43 mins), Gearoid Kirby for M Collins (55 mins).

Referee: Seaghan Walsh, Waterford.