Early O'Connell strike sends Loughmore on their way to knockout stages

FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship, Group 3, Round 3

Loughmore Castleiney 1-9

Upperchurch Drombane 0-9

Despite the setback of a first-round defeat, Loughmore Castleiney, the 2024 champions, are through to the knockout stages of the FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship, an extremely hard-earned win over Upperchurch Drombane at Holycross on Saturday night sending them forward as runners-up in Group 3.

A feisty contest, in which referee Seanie Lonergan handed out a liberal sprinkling of yellow cards in the first half, was ultimately decided by a goal as early as the second minute by Eoin O'Connell of Loughmore, which set the pattern of the game, with Upperchurch Drombane chasing their Mid division rivals from there to the finish but never getting back on terms.

It was a competitive, wholehearted encounter which, while lacking somewhat in quality, brimmed with honest endeavour and, at the end of the day, Loughmore Castleiney's experience carried them through, their ability to keep their opponents at arm's length under severe pressure decisive.

Loughmore went into this game without the injured John Meagher, Liam Treacy and Ciaran Connolly and, to add to their problems, Lorcan Egan dropped out after doing damage in the warm-up.

With a preliminary county hurling quarter-final this coming weekend and the football quarter-final a week later, these are anxious times for the club.

That early Loughmore goal was expertly taken by county man Eoin O'Connell, who shrugged off several lightweight tackles by a hesitant Upperchurch defence expecting him to offload to a colleague, before planting the ball in the Upperchurch net.

In such a low-scoring game, that goal was crucial, particularly since Upperchurch never threatened Shane Hennessy's line. On top of that, Upperchurch's return from generous possession was well below what is required to win at this level.

Scores were at a premium after Eoin O'Connell's goal. Keith Ryan opened Upperchurch's account after six minutes, but Liam McGrath and Joey Quinn responded with Loughmore points for a 1-2 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes of gritty football, with the build-up on both sides tardy and laboured.

Keith Ryan kicked his second point for Upperchurch after 23 minutes, but again Loughmore responded, two from Liam McGrath sending them on their way to a 1-4 to 0-3 interval lead, Conor Fahey getting the third point for The Church.

Given the trend of the game, it was a decent advantage for Loughmore facing into the second half, but by no means comfortable.

And so it transpired. Points from Paddy Phelan and Paul Shanahan inside four minutes of resuming had The Church hot on their rivals' heels, but every time Upperchurch threatened to take control, Loughmore countered, this time with points from John McGrath and a Liam McGrath free.

After Dean Carew pointed for Upperchurch, Joey Quinn, whose pace and link work was impressive, had an effort for a green flag turned out for a 45 by Loughlin Ryan in the Church goal.

It was tit for tat, with no holds barred, as Loughmore dug deep to retain their slight advantage. Shane Hennessy's pointed 45 gave them a four-point advantage at the start of the last quarter, 1-7 to 0-6, but Upperchurch were relentless in their pursuit, points by Niall Grant and Luke Shanahan cutting the lead to two points with seven minutes to play.

Another Liam McGrath point gave Loughmore a goal lead, but Sean Griffin had it back to two points with two minutes left on the hour.

The Church had two scoring chances then, but both were off target and, to rub salt into the wound, Loughmore broke upfield for a Joey Quinn point two minutes into injury time to seal the win for them.

Loughmore Castleiney have recovered well from the early loss to Moyle Rovers and, if those in "sick bay" are fit and well for the coming heavy schedule of games, they will still be a force to be reckoned with.

Their vast experience in both codes, topped by the great quality in their side, means they fear no opposition, though the wear and tear of the years is beginning to show.

In this encounter, young Joey Quinn stepped up to the plate big time. His pace and ability to pick off a score or pick out a pass adds valuable energy to the team.

Brian McGrath and Eoin O'Connell were on top of their game, with Liam McGrath, Eamon Connolly and Philip O'Connell also contributing generously to the overall performance.

Upperchurch Drombane's performance would have carried the day against many other opponents and they will regret a few wasted chances which cost them dearly in so tight a game.

Finishing third in the group, they will now contest the Cusack Cup and they should be well in the reckoning for silverware to round off their season. Loughlin Ryan in goal, Keith Ryan, Sean Griffin, Ger Grant, Paul Shanahan and Diarmuid Grant did most to further their ambitions in this game.

Scorers: Loughmore Castleiney: Liam McGrath (0-5, 0-4f), Eoin O'Connell 1-0, Joey Quinn 0-2, John McGrath, Shane Hennessy 0-1f each.

Upperchurch Drombane: Keith Ryan 0-2, Conor Fahey, Paul Shanahan, Paddy Phelan, Dean Carew, Niall Grant, Luke Shanahan, Sean Griffin all 0-1 each.

Loughmore Castleiney: Shane Hennessy; Tomas McGrath, Willie Eviston, Darragh McCahey; Tommy Maher, Eoin O'Connell, John Ryan; Noel McGrath, Brian McGrath; Eamon Connolly, John McGrath, Philip O'Connell; Joey Quinn, Liam McGrath, Aidan McGrath.

Subs used: Ciaran McCormack for A McGrath (45); Paul McCahey for E O'Connell (58).

Upperchurch Drombane: Loughlin Ryan; Pat Ryan, Michael Griffin, Dermot Grant; Oisin Treacy, Gavin Ryan, Sean Griffin; Keith Ryan, Dean Carew; Philip O'Dwyer, Ger Grant, Paddy Phelan; Conor Fahey, Paul Shanahan, Luke Shanahan.

Subs used: Niall Grant for Treacy (25); Jim O'Dwyer for Phelan (47); Sean Ryan for P O'Dwyer (48).

Referee: Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers)