Champions Loughmore are off to a flier in Tipperary senior football championship

Loughmore/Castleiney 2-14 Killenaule 0-9

Champions Loughmore/Castleiney had a trouble-free start to the defence of their FBD Insurance Tipperary county senior football title when seeing off Killenaule by eleven points at Gortnahoe.

An indication of Loughmore’s ambitions this year can be gauged from their backroom team, which includes Michael Dempsey, associated with their previous county double as manager, and former Dublin footballer Paddy Christie as coach. With local man Eugene Stapleton as selector, this is a formidable backroom team. Last year’s manager Shane Hennessy, who double-jobbed as goalkeeper and manager until injury ruled him out of pitch action, is now fully concentrating on his job between the posts.

As a contest this game was over by the end of the first quarter, with Loughmore leading by 2-5 to no score. The champions were in full control and racking up the scores against opponents who appeared to be showing them far too much respect. The first goal came after five minutes when Eamon Connolly was on the end of a slick forward movement for a 1-1 to 0-0 lead.

READ NEXT: Appeal issued for information on man who sheltered executed Tipperary priest

Killenaule were struggling in all quarters and Connolly bagged his second goal after fifteen minutes. They had 2-7 on the board before Tom Keaveney kicked Killenaule’s first and only point of the half on 23 minutes. By half-time Loughmore added three further points through Philip O'Connell, Conor Ryan and Ciaran Connolly for an interval lead of 2-10 to 0-1.

It was game over to all intents and purposes but to their credit Killenaule battled in the second half as though they were in striking distance of their rivals. A brace of Michael Doyle points and two-pointers from Tom Keaveney and Fionn Fitzgerald gave their supporters something to cheer about. Paudie Feehan and Gus Browne also had points, as the south team enjoyed their best spell of the game.

SEE MORE: 'I'm sick of hearing from Travellers about how much they love animals,' says Tipperary councillor 

It was, of course, too late to undo what had gone before. Loughmore had withdrawn some of their key men, secure in the knowledge that their advantage was not in any danger and mindful of the heavy schedule of games in both codes ahead of them in the coming weeks.

This is a six-team group, with JK Brackens and Moyle Rovers among those also seeking the qualifying places, while Upperchurch/Drombane and Arravale Rovers are not without hope either. Loughmore will be pleased with the winning start, as they seek to put titles back-to-back for the first time and all the indications from this game are that they are going the right way about it.

Eamon Connolly will be well pleased with his two goals, as will Philip O'Connell, who kicked four points from play. Liam McGrath, Tommy Maher, Eoin O'Connell, John Ryan and Ciaran Connolly were others to shine in an easy night for the champions, but sterner tests lie ahead.

Killenaule will draw some encouragement from their second half performance, which saw them outscore their rivals by four points. Their last quarter was particularly impressive and that is what they have to build on in the upcoming rounds. This is not an easy group to qualify from, with two of the championship favourites in the frame (Loughmore and Moyle Rovers) and there is work to be done to avoid being caught in the relegation battle.

Initially they appeared to give their rivals far too much room and were in a lot of difficulty on their own kickouts. Later on, when they pressed hard on Loughmore, they enjoyed much greater success and that would appear to be the road to travel in coming games. Their key men were Paudie Feehan, Dean O'Connor, Mark Stakelum, Tom Keaveney, Fionn Fitzgerald Killian O' Dwyer and Tom Stakelum.

Scorers: Loughmore: E Connelly 2-0; P O Connell 0-4; L McGrath 0-3, 3fs, N McGrath, C Ryan 0-2 each; J McGrath, C Connolly, E O'Connell 0-1 each.

Killenaule: T Keaveney 0-3; M Doyle, F Fitzgerald 0-2 each; G Browne, P Feehan 0-1 each.

Loughmore/Castleiney: Shane Hennessy; Willie Eviston, Tommy Maher, Lorcan Egan; John Ryan, Noel McGrath, Eoin O' Connell; Philip O'Connell, Eamon Connolly; Ciaran Connolly, Brian McGrath, Tomas McGrath; Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Conor Ryan.

Subs: Joey Hennessy for Eviston (46 mins),Conor McGrath for L McGrath (50 mins), Ed Connolly for Eamon Connolly (54 mins).

Killenaule: John O'Dwyer; Finn Nolan, Kieran O'Dwyer, Jack Hassett; Dean O'Connor, Paudie Feehan, Padraig O'Dwyer; Mark Stakelum, Tom Keaveney; Darragh Fitzgerald, Fionn Fitzgerald, Luke Ryan; Shane Ryan, Tom Stakelum, Michael Doyle.

Subs: Joe O'Dwyer for D Fitzgerald (38 mins), Gus Browne for Doyle (57 mins).

Referee: Seanie Peters (Aherlow).