McGrath class wins the day for Loughmore Castleiney in thriller victory over Drom & Inch

Centenary Agri Mid Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Loughmore Castleiney 1-18

Drom & Inch 0-20

By Michael Dundon

For the second week running Loughmore-Castleiney produced a late winning surge to clinch victory, this time catching a Drom & Inch side that, with five minutes to play at Templemore on Sunday, looked on course for a place in the Centenary Agri Mid senior hurling final.

It was a typical Loughmore-Castleiney performance, their never-say-die spirit getting them over the line when Drom-Inch looked poised for a win after making the running almost up to then in a fine contest that was keen and combative all the way.

David Collins did not start for Drom who also lost team captain Jamie Moloney to injury after 26 minutes and had Seamus Callanan operating with a heavily strapped knee which greatly restricted his mobility. They will ponder what might have been had they been at full strength all through and will be hoping for a clean bill of health before the county championship commences in a few weeks.

Much was expected from this clash and it did not disappoint with both sides committing wholeheartedly to the fray honestly and in a sporting way. Loughmore shaded the verdict but Drom were every bit as much in the frame and should they meet again later in the year, as is possible, it's anybody’s guess who will succeed.

Loughmore-Castleiney welcomed back Joey Hennessy at fullback but were slow to settle, being 0-4 to 0-2 down after six minutes. A little wayward in their early shooting they finished the first half 0-7 to 0-9 down, not a bad situation given their first-half display. 

Drom were much more efficient in front of goal and two points from defender Lorcan Campion contributed to their tally. John McGrath scored five of the Loughmore points, four from frees with a lively Liam Treacy hitting two.

Two minutes after resuming John McGrath set up Liam McGrath for a Loughmore goal but the setback did not deter Drom who hit the next five points for a 0-14 to 1-7 lead after 37 minutes. 

Another brace from Liam Treacy and points from Liam McGrath and John McGrath for Loughmore kept them in touch at the three-quarter stage (0-15 to 1-11) but then three Drom points from Cormac Fitzpatrick, Seamus Callanan, and John Campion had them 0-18 to 1-11 clear and with five minutes to go it was 0-20 to 1-13 in their favour.

It looked like odds on a Drom win would come, but then came that late Loughmore surge. Three John McGrath points, two from frees, and points from Ciaran Connolly and the very impressive Liam Treacy swept them to victory and a place in the final against Moycarkey-Borris whom they last met in a final in 2002.

There is an admirable self-belief in this Loughmore-Castleiney side which carries them through the stickiest of situations and, into the finishing straight in this game, they looked unlikely to succeed, but they somehow found an extra gear when it was most needed and once the momentum was with them, there was no stopping them. 

They are experienced and used to grinding out results in difficult situations and under new management this year will be formidable opposition for any club title-winning ambitions.

While John and Noel McGrath were not as influential as usual, in Liam Treacy they had a match-winner with his best display for some time, hitting five points from play. Brian McGrath was a commanding figure at the heart of the defence with Ciaran Connolly, Liam McGrath, and Ed Meagher also prominent.

Though the result was disappointing for Drom-Inch there was much about their display that will encourage them. They showed lots of spirit and used the ball well most of the way but their late slump will be a cause of concern. 

In particular, they will be hoping to be injury-free come county championship time, and with a full panel available, they will be on most people’s short-list as potential Dan Breen winners. The Campions were in fine form them with Lorcan, Podge, and John putting in a big effort. David Butler, Kevin Hassett, and Jack Ryan were others to contribute handsomely to their cause.

Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Ed Meagher, Joey Hennessy, Willie Eviston; John Ryan, Brian McGrath, Eoin O’Connell; Tomas McGrath, Ciaran Connolly (0-2); Tommy Maher, Noel McGrath, Ciaran McCormack; John McGrath (0-10, 0-8f), Liam Treacy (0-5), Liam McGrath (1-1).

Subs used: Ciaran McGrath for McCormack (HT); Philip O’Connell for Connolly (37); Connolly for T McGrath (47); Daragh McCahey for Maher (54).

Drom & Inch: Eoin Collins; Lorcan Campion (0-2), Jamie Moloney, Jack Ryan; Podge Campion (0-2), Fintan Purcell, Kevin Hassett; John Campion (0-3), Michael Campion (0-1); Tony Cahill, Maidhc Fitzpatrick (0-1), Seamus Callanan (0-1); Cormac Fitzpatrick (0-7, 0-4f), David Butler, Tommy Nolan (0-2).

Subs used: Steve Nolan for Moloney (26); David Collins (0-1) for M Fitzpatrick (40); Cormac Cahill for Butler (51).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)