Roscrea fall agonisingly short of Loughmore Castleiney scalp in an exciting quarter-final tie

FBD Insurance Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Loughmore Castleiney 2-22

Roscrea 1-24

By Michael Dundon

Five points down at half-time in the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling quarter-final at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday, Loughmore Castleiney were four clear with time running out when a late Roscrea surge came up just short of causing an upset in a fine contest.

On everybody’s short-list of favourites for the Dan Breen Cup, Loughmore Castleiney needed all their experience to see off the challenge of last year’s Premier Intermediate champions who, while disappointed at losing, will have much cause for satisfaction at their performances on their elevation to the top flight in the county.

This was a typical Loughmore display. Stretched to the limit in a quality first half that produced 29 scores, Roscrea registering 1-17 to top Loughmore’s 2-9, the Mid side responded to the threat of a shock exit from the championship with a purposeful second period, reeling in their opponents to finally go clear after 52 minutes and extend the margin to four points as injury time loomed.

They weren’t safe yet though as Roscrea came charging back in added time with three points that left Loughmore hanging on and mightily relieved to hear the final whistle.

Roscrea got the boost they needed to kick-start their challenge when Shane Fletcher netted for them after four minutes, profiting from Glen Loughnane’s delivery. An Evan Fitzpatrick point had them 1-3 to 0-1 to the good but John McGrath, Loughmore’s inspiring leader, netted for them two minutes later, Liam McGrath the provider.

Scores were coming thick and fast but Roscrea were still 1-8 to 1-6 ahead when Philip O’Connell finished a move involving Noel and Liam McGrath with a Loughmore goal to put them ahead after 16 minutes, 2-6 to 1-8.

Roscrea’s response was hugely impressive. They hit the next six points for the lead again and then shared the last six points of the half with Loughmore to lead 1-17 to 2-9 at the break. By any measure it was exciting stuff and while Roscrea’s slick passing and movement exposed Loughmore on many occasions, a tendency to over-do the passing cost the north lads turn-overs.

Whatever manager Frank McGrath said to the Loughmore lads at half-time, they were a different side on resuming. They were level after 47 minutes, John McGrath leading the way with six points, as they outscored Roscrea seven to two and from here on a Loughmore win was predictable.

A further four points to Roscrea’s one had them 2-20 to 1-20 clear with five minutes to play and as the hour mark approached they were 2-22 to 1-21 ahead and looking secure. Not so, however, as Roscrea produced a late surge that saw Evan

Fitzpatrick shoot two points and Keith McMahon another to leave just a point in it after 63 minutes. Time ran out on Roscrea however and it is Loughmore’s name that went into the hat for the draw for the semi-finals, they just about edged the honours against worthy opponents.

Loughmore’s second-half showing will have given them satisfaction. With Noel McGrath ”in the wars” and less influential than usual, it fell to brothers John and Brian to orchestrate this victory and both were exceptional, ensuring that fore and aft, Loughmore had leaders.

Ciaran Connolly is quickly coming back to the form that made him such an exciting young player before injury intervened. John Ryan’s policing of Alan Tynan was crucial to the Loughmore win as were the displays of Tommy Maher, and young Philip O’Connell who is growing in stature with each game.

The end of the road for this year for Roscrea came with much to enthuse about as they look to the future. Roscrea showed that they are comfortable in the top flight and they can only benefit from this year’s experience.

They have their own brand of play which has proven very effective, though a tendency to over-elaborate cost them on a number of occasions.

Luke Cashin’s free-taking is a vital element of their play but the work of Glen Loughnane, Darragh Tynan, James Synott, Dan Ryan, Evan Fitzpatrick, and Shane Fletcher was much to be admired.

Loughmore Castleiney: Michael McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Ed Meagher, Willie Eviston; John Ryan, Brian McGrath, Tommy Maher; Ciaran Connolly (0-2), Tomas McGrath; Ed Connolly (0-3), Liam McGrath (0-1), Noel McGrath; Philip O Connell (1-2), John McGrath (1-13, 0-10f), Ciaran McCormack.

Subs used: Ciaran McGrath (0-1) for McCormack (43); Aidan McGrath for N McGrath (50); Liam Treacy for O’Connell (57).

Roscrea: Darryl Ryan; Glen Loughnane (0-2), Shane Davis, Luke Seacy; James Synott (0-2), Darren O’Connor, Darragh Tynan (0-2); Dan Ryan (0-1), Conor Sheedy; Alan Tynan (0-1), Evan Fitzpatrick (0-4), Kenny Lee (0-1); Shane Fletcher (1-1), Conor Dooley, Luke Cashin (0-9, 0-7f).

Subs used: Keith McMahon (0-1) for Dooley (48); Conor Booth for A Tynan (54); Jason Fitzpatrick for Loughnane (60).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)