Tipperary senior hurling champions win thrilling opening game with late point

Loughmore/Castleiney 2-18 Drom/Inch 1-20

As dramatic finishes go, this one won’t be bettered.

Champions Loughmore/Castleiney snatched a late, late winning point to deny Drom/Inch a share of the spoils in a thrilling FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Group 3, Round 1 tie at Templemore on Saturday evening.

It was a game that had everything. There were quality performances from household names Seamus Callanan for Drom and John McGrath for Loughmore; a hectic last quarter, as Drom wiped out a nine-point deficit to level with a Seamus Callanan goal from a free in the 63rd minute; and then a long range point from Loughmore goalie Aidan McGrath from a cleverly-engineered John McGrath free with the last puck of the game.

It was breathtaking, edge-of-the-seat stuff that had the large attendance in full voice. Drom afterwards had issues with the amount of added time allowed by referee Conor Doyle, always a tricky situation to determine. But at the end of the day the champions had got their defence of their title off to the best possible start, while Drom/Inch will draw encouragement from a huge confidence-boosting performance.

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Loughmore were on fire in the opening quarter as they forged a 0-7 to 0-1 lead with John McGrath, from play and frees, on top of his game. Drom settled with four points on the trot but then suffered a further setback when John McGrath netted for the champions from a Liam McGrath delivery. Drom were not wilting. Kevin Hassett had a goal-bound effort stopped but a brace of Seamus Callanan points had them just four behind at the break, 0-8 to 1-9.

It was a good recovery by the challengers after a slow start but they were dealt another major blow three minutes into the second half when John McGrath pounced on the rebound from a Liam McGrath shot for their second goal and a 2-10 to 0-9 lead. Liam McGrath pointed for a seven-points advantage for the holders.

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No one could question Drom’s mettle. Back they came with four points but once more Loughmore produced a flourish that yielded four points and a 2-16 to 0-13 lead at the start of the last quarter. Drom looked beaten but in a wonderful eleven minutes they shot seven points to come within two of their rivals by the 58th minute.

Under severe pressure, John McGrath pointed for Loughmore but Drom were not done. Lorcan Campion had a shot for goal blocked but Seamus Callanan was fouled and from the resulting twenty metre free he netted to level the game deep in injury time.

The drama wasn’t over yet. Loughmore won a free near their own goal. A Drom player moved the ball away, prompting the referee to bring the free forward. John McGrath lined up to take it. The Drom players retreated to defend their lines.

Loughmore goalie Aidan McGrath came out field, called for the ball, which John McGrath stroked to him and the goalie, one of the best strikers in the game, had all the time in the world to advance, steady himself and send his shot sailing between the posts for a winning score.

The puckout brought the final whistle and the champions had negotiated as difficult a hurdle as they are likely to meet in this year’s campaign. It was devastating for Drom/Inch, whose effort surely deserved a point but sport can be cruel. One doesn’t always get what one feels they deserve.

It was a bright start to the defence of the title by Loughmore, a crucial win in a difficult group that also includes Mid champions and neighbours JK Brackens, and Lorrha. John McGrath was a towering figure for them as his magnificent year continues.

Brother Brian was also very influential along with Ciaran Connolly and Liam McGrath, and goalie Aidan McGrath’s late intervention was also a talking topic.

Seamus Callanan’s leadership did much to revive Drom’s challenge, which looked dead in the water early on. Lorcan Campion, John Campion, Robbie Long, Fintan Purcell and Cormac Fitzpatrick also had big games. Their slow start possibly cost them this game but their strong finish suggests they will still have a big say in the closing stages of the competition.

Loughmore scorers: J McGrath (2-9,0-6fs), C Connolly, L McGrath (0-2 each), N McGrath, T Maher, E Connolly, J Ryan, A McGrath (0-1 each).

Drom scorers: S Callanan (1-10, 1-8fs), L Campion (0-4), C Fitzpatrick (0-3), J Campion (0-2), F Purcell (0-1).

Loughmore/Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Ed Connolly; Ed Meagher, Brian McGrath, John Ryan; Noel McGrath, Ciaran Connolly; Tommy Maher, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran Cormack; Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Ciaran McGrath.

Sub: Philip O’Connell for Maher (50 mins).

Drom/Inch: Eoin Collins; Robbie Long, Fintan Purcell, Lorcan Campion; Mark Conroy, Podge Campion, Michael Campion; Tony Cahill, Cormac Cahill; Kevin Hassett, David Collins, John Campion; Seamus Callanan, John Ryan, Cormac Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Conor Gleeson for M Campion (h/t), David Butler for Ryan (43 mins), Jack Lillis for Hassett (56 mins).

Referee: Conor Doyle, Silvermines.