Champions Loughmore dethroned by Kilsheelan in Tipperary senior football championship

Kilsheelan/Kilcash 1-14 Loughmore/Castleiney 2-9

The mighty have fallen. Loughmore/Castleiney surrendered their FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship title in dramatic fashion at Leahy Park, Cashel on Saturday, conceding three scores, one a two-pointer, in injury time to outsiders Kilsheelan/Kilcash in a full-blooded encounter.

The concession of those late scores, when it seemed Loughmore/Castleiney would hold on for victory, will greatly disappoint a team so experienced in those tight situations. Their dismay will be compounded by injuries to Liam and John McGrath, which prompted their withdrawal, possibly as a precaution in advance of this Sunday’s county hurling final against Nenagh Eire Og.

It wasn’t a good day for Loughmore/Castleiney but for Kilsheelan/Kilcash it was one to remember. They have been in the shadow of Clonmel Commericals and Moyle Rovers in south Tipperary but this win legitimises their aspirations as serious title contenders. Their second half performance in particular impressed, and more of that in the decider could bring them their fifth senior title and the first since 1972.

Loughmore were favourites going into the game but beforehand it was known that Liam McGrath was carrying an injury, while Noel McGrath did not start. After 20 minutes, and an attempted point effort, Liam McGrath signalled his difficulties to the bench and came off, bringing Noel into the fray. John picked up an injury early in the second half, prompting his retiral, and the club has an anxious wait this week to see if they will have the full deck of players for the hurling final.

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Nothing can take from Kilsheelan’s win, however. After a cagey first half they opened up in the second period, and despite having Senan Butler black-carded midway through, put in a storming finish that yielded the scores that ended the Mid team’s tenure as champions.

Kilsheelan got off to a flying start, Jamie Roche netting in the fourth minute from a Billy Murphy delivery on a kickout that went astray.

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Leading 1-2 to 0-2, they were then rocked by a Willie Eviston goal for Loughmore from a John McGrath assist.
The play was somewhat pedestrian at this stage and with the sides level approaching the break, the Mid team struck again, Tomas McGrath goaling after good build-up work by Willie Eviston and Tommy Maher for an interval lead of 2-4 to 1-4.

In the second half both sides really got down to business. Early points from Mark Stokes and Jamie Roche boosted the south team’s challenge but Liam Treacy, now assigned free-taking duties, and Noel McGrath countered for Loughmore.

There was an intensity in the play now that it lacked earlier and after Ciaran Connolly kicked his third point for Loughmore, Shane Hennessy in the champions’ goal denied Jamie Roche a certain goal with a brave, diving block-down.

Kilsheelan then lost Senan Butler to a black card but Loughmore failed to take advantage. When Butler returned the champions were still ahead 2-8 to 1-9 but the closing plus minutes plus injury time belonged to Kilsheelan. Initially Jamie Roche and Eamon Connolly swapped points before Roche popped over a close range free.

Trailing 1-11 to 2-9, with the game going into injury time, Jamie Roche saw an effort for a leveller skew wide. But in the 63rd minute Michael Freaney shot his side ahead with a glorious two-pointer and a minute later Senan Butler sealed the deal for them with another point, sending them through to the final.

There was understandable jubilation in the Kilsheelan/Kilcash camp at lowering the champions colours and while Loughmore will bemoan ten wides, they can have no quibble with the result. Perhaps Loughmore’s heavy schedule of games took its toll at the finish –and the loss of key players certainly did not help their cause. However, Kilsheelan were brave and efficient, and were rewarded for their refusal to give up when things did not appear to be going their way.

Kilsheelan will be well aware, however, that no medals were awarded on Saturday and another big performance will be required in the final.

Clearly they have the players to deliver and have been knocking on the door long enough to know what is required.
This could be their year, particularly if they continue to get the necessary leadership from the likes of Jamie Roche, Daire Brennan, Michael Freaney, Tommy O’Connor, Mark Stokes and goalkeeper Evan Comerford.

It was a disappointing end to the campaign for Loughmore/Castleiney, who have little time to lick their wounds with the hurling final next Sunday against Nenagh Eire Og. Their big concern this week is to get the injured fit for hurling action and to get the heads right after this setback.

When they reflect on this defeat they will know they had enough chances to succeed but failed to capitalise on them. Willie Eviston, Brian McGrath, Lorcan Egan, Ed Meagher and in particular Ciaran Connolly were the driving forces, while Shane Hennessy’s brave block in the second half is also worthy of mention.

Scorers: Kilsheelan/Kilcash: J Roche (1-7,6fs), T O’Connor, M Stokes (0-2 each), M Freaney (0-2, 2ptr), S Butler (0-1).
Loughmore/Castleiney: T McGrath, W Eviston (1-0 each), C Connolly (0-3), L Treacy (0-3,2fs), N McGrath, P O’Connell, E Connolly (0-1 each).

Kilsheelan/Kilcash: Evan Comerford; Kian Quin, Eoin Kehoe, Jason Madigan; Emmet Butler, Daire Brennan, Billy O’Connor; Mark Stokes, Billy Murphy; Tommy O’ Connor, Michael Freaney, Shane Garland; Senan Butler, Jamie Roche, Barry Kehoe.
Subs: Liam Freaney for Garland (44 mins), Ru Kelly for Murphy (50 mins), Mikey McGuire for B Kehoe (52 mins).

Loughmore/Castleiney: Shane Hennessy; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Eoin O’Connell; John Ryan, Ed Meagher, Tommy Maher; Tomas McGrath, Liam Treacy; Ciaran Connolly, Brian McGrath, Eamon Connolly; Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Philip O’Connell.
Subs: Noel McGrath for L McGrath (21 mins), Ciaran McGrath for J McGrath (37 mins), Darragh McCahey for T McGrath (50 mins), Conor Ryan for P O’Connell (50 mins).

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney, Ardfinnan.