Early goals send Upperchurch on their way to convincing win

Upperchurch-Drombane 2-14 Ballyporeen 1-7

Upperchurch-Drombane produced a strong performance to beat Ballyporeen in the Tom Cusack Cup senior football final in Ballyporeen on Friday night.

Two goals in the opening six minutes for the Mid Tipperary side gave them a lot of breathing room early in the contest. Both sides were evenly matched for periods of the game, but Upperchurch’s ability to convert points in the second half gave them the upper hand as they converted eight points from frees, alongside two from play.

Upperchurch's first goal came after three minutes when Dean Carew found himself in open space inside the Ballyporeen 21, leaving the midfielder one-on-one with only the ‘keeper to beat to give his side the lead.

The second goal was similar to the first, as great running from wing back Oisin Treacy was matched with a great kick pass from his teammate Gavin Ryan. Treacy gathered the ball and finished well past Kieran Macken.

Ballyporeen goalie Macken was called upon again in the opening quarter as he made a great save from Philip O’Dwyer’s effort to keep his side in touching distance. Ballyporeen’s forwards looked dangerous from the start, with great points from Christy English, Oisin Power and Darragh Brennan respectively. The sides went into the break at a scoreline of 2-4 to 0-5.

The main difference between the teams in the second half was their respective free counts. Ballyporeen gave away fouls in scorable areas and which were punished as Luke and Paul Shanahan were both deadly from placed balls all night, with Paul converting a great two-point effort.

After going ten points behind with 20 minutes to go, a foul in front of goal from Ballyporeen full back Noel Vaughan saw him receive a black card and reduce his side to fourteen players at a crucial stage.

However, Ballyporeen didn’t give up the fight, as they scored a great goal with ten minutes left after corner back Josh Kearney got a great turnover at midfield. The move up the field was well worked through the hands of Conor Sweeney and the reintroduced Noel Vaughan before finding Darragh Brennan, who made no mistake as he dispatched a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Ballyporeen were led well by Darrragh Brennan, Charlie English and Conor Sweeney. Upperchurch had solid performances throughout, particularly in the middle eight with Dean Carew, Paul Shanahan and Luke Shanahan putting in great displays.

Upperchurch Drombane: Niall Grant, Diarmaid Grant, Mikey Griffin, Pat Ryan, Oisin Treacy, Gavin Ryan, Jim O’Dwyer, Dean Carew, Tomás Ryan, Luke Shanahan, Gerard Grant, Paddy Phelan, Philip O’Dwyer, Paul Shanahan (captain), Sean Ryan.

Scorers: Luke Shanahan 0-5 (4f), Paul Shanahan 0-5 (1tpf, 3f), Oisin Treacy 1-1, Dean Carew 1-0, Philip O’Dwyer 0-2, Sean Ryan 0-1.

Sub: Owen Shortt for Diarmaid Grant (45 minutes).

Ballyporeen: Kieran Macken, Seamus O’Callaghan, Noel Vaughan, Josh Kearney, Kyle O’Gorman, Oisin Brennan, Riain O’Callaghan, Charlie English, Tommy Sweeney, Sam McGrath, Conor Sweeney (captain), Christy English, Oisin Power, Darragh Brennan, Glenn Walsh.

Scorers: Darragh Brennan 1-3 (1-1f), Sam McGrath 0-1, Conor Sweeney 0-1, Christy English 0-1, Oisin Power 0-1.

Subs: Jack Carey for Riain O’Callaghan (43 minutes), Aaron Hickey for Glenn Walsh (57 minutes).

Referee: Brian Tyrrell (Clonmel Commericals).