“We’re gaining confidence with every win” – Upperchurch captain Keith Ryan eyes county glory

By Liam Hogan

Keith Ryan will lead Upperchurch-Drombane into battle with Carrick Swans in next Sunday’s FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Final at Semple Stadium.

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The Upperchurch full-back is fully aware of what is ahead of him. He knows that Carrick Swans are fully intent on making amends after last year’s county final loss to Cashel King Cormacs. In addition, he knows how finely balanced hurling life can be.

Three years ago, his team lost to Kilruane MacDonaghs in the county senior hurling semi-final by six points. Kilruane went on to collect the Dan Breen Cup when defeating Kiladangan after a replay.

One week after the defeat to Kilruane, there was a little bit of history to be made as Upperchurch were on a dual journey, with their footballers losing to Clonmel Commercials in the senior football decider.

Twelve months later, Upperchurch were relegated to the Premier Intermediate grade when they lost to Kilruane MacDonaghs in the semi-final and later to JK Brackens in the relegation final.

Surely the Drombane side were short favourites to make a quick return to the top rung. Not that easy. Cashel King Cormacs denied them in a high-scoring semi-final with a 6-21 to 2-28 scoreline. Imagine scoring 2-28 and losing a game.

It was back to basics as team manager Liam Dunphy and his coach James McGrath planned a recovery. It went well. This year they drew with Moneygall but defeated Burgess before needing a bit of luck to get over Ballina, when a last-minute seventy-five-metre free by Gavin Ryan went all the way to the net and a place in the knockout stages was assured.

The fine balance of winning and losing. Subsequently, they defeated Killenaule in the quarter-final but had a narrow 0-20 to 0-19 win over Gortnahoe Glengoole in the semi-final last Sunday week.

“That day against Ballina we were potentially gone out of the championship until the ball finished up in the back of the net. Every day you go out you need a bit of luck and thankfully we got by. It’s not how you win, but we are battle-hardened and gaining confidence with every win.

“Twelve months ago, we fell short against Cashel King Cormacs. The competition in the Premier Intermediate Championship is colossal. So many good teams.

"Thankfully, we got over a savage Gortnahoe team in the semi-final. We are happy to be in the final and we know what to expect from Carrick Swans. They beat us in the first round of the group stage last year,” said Keith, who operates at full-back.

Team manager Liam Dunphy has steered a good path to where the team is now and, like two years ago, there is the dual journey with Upperchurch reaching the knockout stages of the big ball.

“Liam Dunphy has been a great manager. This is his fourth year in charge and he has brought a huge level of professionalism to the team.

"He has been unbelievable in how he deals with players and understanding how they work. He is top-notch. Having hurling and football games means game after game, and we enjoy it that way. That is what every player wants.”

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