Upperchurch Drombane are on their way to Croke Park after a semi-final win over Danesfort

AIB Intermediate Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Upperchurch Drombane 1-13

Danesfort 0-14

Upperchurch Drombane made further history in this remarkable season for the Mid Tipperary club, becoming the first Premier club since Borris-Ileigh in 2019 to make an All-Ireland club final after a fraught and frantic finale saw off Danesfort in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon.

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There was little in the way of excitement in the first 45 minutes of this nervy semi-final, but the game came to life in the final 15 minutes when the result was hanging in the balance for both sides.

In the end, the big moments went the way of the Tipperary side; Ciaran Shortt denied Paddy Hogan from a penalty in the 47th minute, with three points between the sides, and although Danesfort would tie up proceedings with five minutes remaining, Upperchurch Drombane hit three of the final four points to secure the win.

Pat Ryan was the match winner in a game of little quality in attacking terms, as the diminutive forward hit 1-1, but more importantly, scored a crucial late point from play and was also the architect of two late frees that gave Luke Shanahan sights at the posts to convert.

The first half was an attritional one and had plenty of ‘in your face’ hurling from both teams, and that suited Upperchurch largely as they got off to a good start in the first ten minutes, racing into a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

Aaron Ryan was the catalyst for the Pat Ryan goal in the fourth minute after finding space in behind the cover before linking up with Mikey Griffin to feed in Ryan to finish from close range.

Padraig Greene started the game strongly with two well-executed scores at either side of the pitch in the first and sixth minutes, but his day would be cut short around the 12th minute when he fell awkwardly under a challenge near the sideline, and after a lengthy stoppage, he was carried from the field - a big loss for the Church.

Despite that, Upperchurch soldiered on and had the Kilkenny champions at arm’s length by half-time; youngsters and free-takers Luke Shanahan and Anthony Ireland Wall making up the bulk of the remaining scores in the half, with the goalmouth action at a minimum. 

Leading 1-7 to 0-7, Upperchurch would have been pleased with their lot and the fashion of the game was going along preferable lines, as Liam Dunphy’s charges have come out of these sort of games more often than not all year long.

Danesfort needed a response, and they decided to spring club legend Richie Hogan at the break to try and add punch to their attack, with just two points from play coming from their arsenal in the first half.

However, it did little to improve matters as the game continued to be a battle around the middle third as Upperchurch Drombane maintained their three-point lead in the third quarter with scores from frees by Luke Shanahan and Gavin Ryan giving them a 1-9 to 0-9 lead with 15 minutes to go.

A potential turning point came in the 47th minute when Gavin Ryan was adjudged to have pushed Anthony Ireland Wall after Fionn Mahony set up a goal opportunity, and with the chance to level in their sights, up stepped Paddy Hogan from the goals.

Hogan struck the penalty very well but the reflexes of Ciaran Shortt were cat-like as he kept the ball out and gave the Upperchurch supporters their biggest roar of the game.

In fairness to Danesfort, they didn’t wilt after that miss, taking over the contest in the next ten minutes with Anthony Ireland Wall hitting two fine scores before major efforts from Robbie Walsh and Des Dunne levelling the game with five minutes to go; Upperchurch really taking on water at that stage.

An Upperchurch player had to stand up now and bring a measure of composure to the game, and it came from up front with Pat Ryan proving to be the match winner for his club in the final eight minutes, including stoppage time.

He won a crucial free for Luke Shanahan to re-establish the lead before he produced a moment of rare quality from play, dispossessing Paul Murphy from behind before slapping over a massive score on the run.

Danesfort had two big efforts drop short in injury time for Ciaran Shortt to deal with, and he did nothing fancy, batting away the ball twice in a minute, and when Pat Ryan set up Colm Ryan to win a late free with time just up, a seventh converted free for Luke Shanahan booked ended the contest and prompted wild celebrations in the stands.

Mayo and Connacht champions Tooreen await in the final now for Upperchurch Drombane in Croke Park on Sunday, January 11 and what an occasion it will be for the Mid Tipperary club.

Scorers: Upperchurch Drombane: Luke Shanahan 0-7f, Pat Ryan 1-1, Padraig Greene 0-2, Gavin Ryan 0-2f, Colm Ryan 0-1.

Danesfort: Anthony Ireland Wall (0-8, 0-7f), Des Dunne, Robbie Walsh, Fionn Mahony 0-2 each.

Upperchurch Drombane: Ciaran Shortt; Mikey Lavery, Keith Ryan, Dean Carew; Niall Grant, Gavin Ryan, Toby Corbett; Diarmuid Grant, Aaron Ryan; Padraig Greene, Paul Shanahan, Conor Fahey; Pat Ryan, Mikey Griffin, Luke Shanahan.

Subs used: Colm Ryan for Greene (18, inj); Paul Ryan for Griffin (63).

Danesfort: Paddy Hogan; Adam Byrne, Diarmuid Phelan, Darragh Coverdale; Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Daire O'Neill; Cathal Kearney, Cathal O'Neill; Robbie Walsh, Dan Dowling, Sam Hayes; Anthony Ireland Wall, Colm Phelan, Fionn Mahony.

Subs used: Richie Hogan for C Phelan (HT); Aiden Cowley for Dowling (48).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway)