Loughmore Castleiney claim fifth senior hurling crown at Toomevara's expense

FBD Insurance Senior Hurling Championship Final

Loughmore Castleiney 2-19

Toomevara 1-17

By Michael Dundon

A fifth FBD Insurance county senior hurling title for Loughmore Castleiney as they absorbed the considerable challenge of an up-and-coming Toomevara in a quality contest at Semple Stadium on Sunday last, bridging the three-year gap since their last success in 2021.

And the victory also sets up the club’s bid for a second senior county double with the footballers scheduled to meet holders Clonmel Commercials in the county football at the same venue next Sunday.

Loughmore went into this game as favourites and they justified their rating but they were made to fight all the way by a gutsy Toomevara team seeking to bridge a 16-year gap since their last title.  

Beaten semi-finalists last year, Toome’s ongoing progress under manager Ken Dunne suggests that a return to their glory days before 2008 may not be too far off but on this occasion they were turned over by a Loughmore-Castleiney side who are the masters of game management, with the McGrath brothers, John, Noel, and Brian standing head and shoulders over all others in orchestrating the win.

The consensus beforehand was that Toome would make life very difficult for the Mid champions and that they did, reaching half-time just two points behind despite facing the fresh breeze. Trailing 0-10 to 0-12, Toome were well positioned to cause an upset but, as has been evident all year, Loughmore has a resilience and composure about them that enables them to plot a course to success from the most difficult of situations and this they did again on Sunday.

Toome, with Darragh McCarthy’s free-taking profitable, were 0-5 to 0-3 ahead after 9 minutes and though Ed Connolly had a goal effort comfortably saved by Rory Brislane in the Toome goal, the Mid men began to settle into their game, largely due to John McGrath, who from both play and frees was impeccable.  

He hit seven points as Loughmore went 0-9 to 0-8 ahead after 25 minutes but points from Darragh McCarthy and Jack Delaney restored Toome’s lead after 29 minutes.

Loughmore finished the half with a flourish, a brace of John McGrath points and another from team captain Liam McGrath giving them a 0-12 to 0-10 advantage at the interval. It was a good situation for Toome with the elements to favour them on resuming but when it comes to grinding out results from difficult situations, Loughmore cannot be bettered.

The third quarter of keen hurling saw the sides share eight points, Ciaran McCormack’s introduction making a positive impact for Loughmore in the shape of two points. Toome were relentless in the pursuit of their rivals but when sub Paul McCahey netted for Loughmore off a John McGrath pass in the 56th minute for a 1-19 to 0-17 lead, it looked as though the Mid lads were safe.

Not so. Three minutes later Conor O’Meara justified his introduction with a Toome goal to set up a nerve-tingling climax. Down two points, Toome went all out for a winning goal but John McGrath, crowning a man of the match performance, had Loughmore fans on their feet with a 6oth minute goal that put their win beyond Toome’s reach.

 Not that Toome didn’t try in injury time with 2 Darragh McCarthy close-in frees beaten away as they chased a rallying goal, but Loughmore, never ones to surrender such a prime position, weren’t about to start now and kept their shape to the end for a well-deserved victory.

With the football final this weekend there will be little time for celebrating in the Loughmore camp. They take the pressure of successive games all in their stride. Hurleys will be left one side this week as the concentration focuses on the big ball – it is second nature to them. Talk of the Munster Club hurling championship will come later.

As he has been on so many occasions, John McGrath was magnificent from play and frees and richly deserving of the Man of the Match award. Free of injuries this year, one wonders could he have been given more game time at the county level as his composure and class has stood out in this year’s club championship more than any other player. 

Not far behind was brother Brian, especially in the first half when Loughmore were under a lot of pressure as he covered acres of ground to close off any threats from the Toome attack. 

The third of the trinity, Noel, after a quiet first half, really took a grip on proceedings in the second half, his defensive covering and pass-picking being superb.

But it was not all McGraths. Ciaran McCormack made a big impact when introduced and Lorcan Egan’s solid defensive play was also admirable. Ciaran Connolly put in a good shift at midfield while Joey Hennessy was rock-solid at fullback but overall this was a team performance, a typical Loughmore display of honest, no-frills hurling, that continues to reap rich rewards.

Toome are a developing team and more will surely be heard of them as they chase Dan Breen success. On Sunday they relied heavily on underage star Darragh McCarthy, and while he contributed 0-9 points  he was well policed, though still a constant threat. 

Kevin McCarthy and Jack Delaney did well and sub Conor O’Meara made a huge impact with 1-2 from play in the last quarter. Robbie Quirke, Andrew Ryan, and goalie Rory Brislane were others to shine for “The Greyhounds”.  A disappointment for Toome certainly, but good days lie ahead.

Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Ed Meagher, Joey Hennessy, Willie Eviston; John Ryan, Brian McGrath (0-1), Lorcan Egan; Noel McGrath, Ciaran Connolly (0-1); Tommy Maher, Tomas McGrath, Ed Connolly; John McGrath (1-13, 0-9f), Liam Treacy, Liam McGrath (0-1).

Subs used: Ciaran McCormack (0-2) for Treacy (37); Ciaran McGrath (0-1) for Hennessy (39); Paul McCahey (1-0) for L McGrath (55); Eoin O’Connell for Ryan (56); Darragh McCahey for T McGrath (60).

Toomevara: Rory Brislane; Barry O’Connell, Andrew Ryan, Seamus O’Farrell; Josh McCarthy, Liam Ryan,  Jack Ryan; Robbie Quirke (0-1), Conor O’Farrell (0-1); Jack Delaney (0-2), Kevin McCarthy (0-2), Mark McCarthy; Darragh McCarthy (0-9, 0-8f), Adam Hall, Darren Delaney.

Subs used: Joshua Powell for S O’Farrell (41); Conor O’Meara (1-2) for Hall (44); Jake Hackett for J McCarthy (45); Colm Canning for J Ryan (51); Paul Ryan for M McCarthy (53).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers)