Loughmore stay 100% in Tipperary Championship - relegation worries for Upperchurch

FBD Insurance Co SHC Group 3, Round 3

Loughmore-Castleiney 2-15; Upperchurch-Drombane 0-17

Loughmore - Castleiney maintained their one hundred per cent record in the FBD Insurance county senior hurling championship, group 3 at Semple Stadium on Sunday with an emphatic 11 points win over a non-performing Upperchurch- Drombane side who now find themselves in relegation bother after a second loss.
Three wins out of three indicates that Loughmore- Castleiney are again serious title-contenders with a preferential draw in the quarter-finals their reward for topping their group. Having lost to Upperchurch-Drombane in the Mid championship, Loughmore - Castleiney exacted sweet and swift revenge, a success that was never in doubt once John McGrath netted a penalty after 22 minutes to put them 1-7 to 0-4 clear.
Considered by many to be the top game of the round three clashes, this game never really reached championship pitch. Loughmore’ supremacy was never challenged, their early established lead never under serious threat.
With Brian McGrath a dominant figure at the heart of their defence, Loughmore were quickly into their stride, Ed Connolly showing up particularly well with three first half points from play. They were 0-7 to 0-4 ahead when the impressive Ciaran McCormack was fouled and John McGrath buried the resulting penalty in the Upperchurch net.
Loughmore continued to rule the roost as Upperchurch struggled to get a foothold in the game and a modest enough first half concluded with Loughmore ahead 1-11 to 0-6 and Upperchurch concerns beginning to focus on the margin of defeat given how matters were going elsewhere in the group with Templederry turning over Holycross-Ballycahill.
Upperchurch’s fate was sealed a minute after resuming. Gavin Ryan had pointed a free for them inside 20 seconds but from the puck-out, Loughmore attacked. John McGrath’s delivery found Liam McGrath who did not have to be asked twice as he belted home their second goal for a 2-11 to 0-7 lead.
Give Upperchurch full credit for a magnificent effort to redeem the situation. Padraic Greene hit eight points as they sought to minimise the deficit but the goal they needed so badly eluded them. Paul Shanahan had a goal chance in the 52nd minute as they trailed 0-14 to 2-14, but he was quickly swallowed up by a recovering Loughmore defence. Luke Shanahan’s attempt to set up Paddy Phelan three minutes later went astray and with scoring difference ultimately deciding the placings in the group, these lapses proved very costly and sent the Upperchurch lads into the relegation play-offs.
Loughmore-Castleiney have every reason to be pleased with the win. Particularly encouraging will be the fact that they did not concede a goal, after shipping seven in their previous two outings. Another positive was the return to action after injury of Ciaran Connolly, so all-in-all a good day’s work by them. Noel McGrath was his usual self, playing all over the field, and calling the shots. Ed Connolly’s four points from play was another huge plus while Brian McGrath’s management of the defence was a key factor in nullifying the Upperchurch attack. Ciaran McCormack, and Tommy Maher also caught the eye.
Scoring difference sends Upperchurch-Drombane into the relegation play-offs as they seek to preserve their senior status. It is a big setback after last year’s great run but in such tight competition small margins frequently determine matters and Upperchurch, also beaten in the Mid final, have not reached last year’s heights this term. An under-performing attack was their big problem on Sunday with Padraic Greene hitting 10 of their tally, 6 from frees. Paul Shanahan worked very hard to get things moving while Keith Ryan, Ailbe O’Donoghue and Gavin Ryan also contributed handsomely to the Upperchurch effort.

Loughmore-Castleiney – Michael McGrath: Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Darragh McCahey; John Ryan, Brian McGrath, Tommy Maher; Tomas McGrath, Ed Meagher; Ed Connolly (0-4), Liam McGrath (1-2), Noel McGrath(0-3); Philip O[Connell, John McGrath (1-4, pen, 4fs), Ciaran McCormack (0-2); Subs – Ciaran McGrath for O’Connell (37 mins), Ciaran Connolly for T McGrath (45 mins), Liam Treacy for C McCormack (52mins), Aidan McGrath for E Connolly (60 mins).

Upperchurch-Drombane – Ciaran Shortt; Michael Lavery, Ger Grant, A J Shanahan; Keith Ryan, Gavin Ryan (0-2, 2fs), Ailbe O’Donoghue (0-1); Aaron Ryan (0-1), Paddy Phelan; Dean Carew, Colm Ryan(0-1), Pat Ryan (0-1); Luke Shanahan, Paul Shanahan, Padraic Greene (0-10,6fs).
Subs – Mikey Griffin for Carew (h/t), Niall Grant (0-1) for C Ryan (42 mins).

Referee – Conor Doyle (Silvermines).