Loughmore shake off slow start to win another Mid title in defeat of Moycarkey Borris

Centenary Agri Mid Senior Hurling Championship Final

Loughmore Castleiney 1-25

Moycarkey Borris 1-16

By Michael Dundon

Loughmore Castleiney bridged a six-year gap by regaining the Centenary Agri Mid senior hurling title with a flattering nine-point win over Moycarkey Borris at Templetuohy last Sunday.

Flattering the nine-points-winning margin certainly was, but equally certain was the merit of the Loughmore victory as they once again finished very strongly. 

They didn’t take the lead until John McGrath converted a penalty for them in the 50th minute (1-17 to 1-15) but once they got their noses in front they followed up with a quick-fire eight points to Moycarkey’s one, to have the destination of the Johnny Leahy cup decided sometime before Joe Leahy’s final whistle.

For 50 minutes this was a fine contest, lively, competitive, and with some excellent scores from both sides. Showing all the fire and determination that got them through to the decider for the first time since 2002, Moycarkey Borris carried the fight to the favourites but their quest for a first title since 1982 unraveled surprisingly quickly after the McGrath penalty goal.

It looked as though an upset might be on the cards as Moycarkey raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes. 

They were sharp and focused in what they did in comparison to the rivals’ somewhat lethargic opening. Max Hackett was causing problems for Loughmore who had Noel McGrath wearing number eleven but operating in a roving commission.

He was instrumental in keeping them in touch (0-4 to 0-6) but in the 13th minute Jack Fallon netted for Moycarkey off Jack Hayes’ pass and with further points from Kieran Morris and Max Hackett, Moycarkey were 1-8 to 0-5 clear and playing with confidence.

Loughmore don’t do ”panic” and as is becoming a trademark of their performances this year, they finished the half strongly with points from John McGrath (2), Noel McGrath, and Tomas McGrath to be just a goal, 0-10 to 1-10 adrift at the break.

Moycarkey had by no means shot their bolt and they resumed with points from Bill Flanagan, Rhys Shelley, and Jack Hayes inside three minutes to establish a six-point advantage. Back came Loughmore for points from John McGrath (2), Tomas McGrath, and Noel McGrath – a two-point game now.

That remained the margin separating them until the 50th minute when Ciaran McGrath was fouled and a penalty was awarded to Loughmore which John McGrath blasted to the net with supreme confidence for the lead or Loughmore for the first time (1-17 to 1-15). 

To add to Moycarkey’s woes, stalwart defender Tom Ryan got a yellow card for the foul, his second of the day,  and was sidelined leaving Moycarkey a man short for the finish.

There are no better men to take advantage of than Loughmore and in those closing minutes, they swept through Moycarkey like a flood, hitting eight points to Jack Fallon’s response for Moycarkey, to secure their first title since 2018 and leave themselves suitably primed for the upcoming county championship.

The merit of Loughmore Castleiney’s win is not in question and for the third week in succession, they were at their best when it really mattered, producing a scoring surge late on to get them comfortably over the line. 

If anybody was in any doubt, they demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with again this year and while the serious hurling is only now about to get underway, Loughmore Castleiney are in good shape to add further to their extensive list of successes.

Noel McGrath gave a masterful display for them, winning the Man of the Match award. Wearing the number eleven shirt, he operated all over the field, and his trademark delivery of precise passes was again very much in evidence. To top it all he hit six points from play, a wonderful contribution to his team’s victory.

Brother John was well-policed all through but Tomas McGrath, Brian McGrath, Ciaran Connolly, Ed Meagher, and Joey Hennessy all had big games with Ciaran McGrath again making a big impact when introduced.

Moycarkey Borris did not deserve a nine-point defeat. While there was a late slump, for much of the game, up to that fatal penalty and being down a man, they matched their opponents all the way. 

That should encourage them greatly going into the county championship in two weeks. Facing into a group that contains Sarsfields, Mullinahone, and Roscrea, they will make a serious bid for a qualifying spot for the knock-out stages.

Moycarkey Borris midfielders Kieran Cummins and Jack Fallon worked very hard all through with Max Hackett a big threat in the first half. Jack Hayes, Pat Molloy, Tom Hayes, and the unfortunate Tom Ryan were others who were to the fore for them. A setback and a disappointment of course but lots of positives for them to take from the encounter.

Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Ed Meagher (0-1), Joey Hennessy, Willie Eviston; John Ryan, Brian McGrath, Eoin O’Connell; Tomas McGrath (0-4), Ciaran Connolly (0-2); Tommy Maher, Noel McGrath (0-6), Ciaran McCormack (0-2); John McGrath (1-9, 1-8f), Liam Treacy, Liam McGrath (0-1). 

Subs used: Ciaran McGrath for Treacy (42); Philip O’Connell for Eviston (58); Ed Connolly for Maher (58).

Moycarkey Borris: Rhys Shelly (0-1f); Steven Walsh, Peter Melbourne, Tom Ryan; Tom Hayes, Eoghan Hayes, Pat Molloy (0-1); Kieran Cummins (0-2), Jack Fallon (1-2); Joe Maher, Max Hackett (0-3), Kyle Shelly; Jack Hayes (0-3), Kieran Morris (0-3f), Bill Flanagan (0-1).

Subs used: Ruairi Ryan for K Shelly (42); Niall Heffernan for Flanagan (47); Chris McCullagh for Maher (55).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)