Loughmore Castleiney reign again after exhilarating extra-time battle
Loughmore Castleiney defeated Holycross Ballycahill in the Mid final on Sunday
Loughmore Castleiney 1-29
Holycross Ballycahill 0-25
After extra time
Liam Treacy came off the bench to score 1-3 from play in the second half of injury time as Loughmore Castleiney regained the Centenary Agri Mid Senior Hurling title they surrendered last year with a hard-earned seven-point extra-time win over Holycross Ballycahill at Boherlahan on Sunday.
With the temperature closing in on the 30-degree mark, the contest was as much a test of stamina and durability as anything else, and in those circumstances the battle-hardened Loughmore Castleiney boys came out on top, stretching away from their rivals in the second half of extra time.
A seven-point winning margin certainly flattered the winners, but this remarkable group of players continues to deliver year after year, and who will bet against them making it three county titles in a row when the Dan Breen Cup gets underway later this month.
Holycross Ballycahill went into this game buoyed by wins over Drom & Inch and Sarsfields, and many were predicting that they were in line to win this title for the first time since 1999, but this game will have taught them that they have a bit to go yet, though their credentials are growing match by match impressively.
On Sunday, with the temperature soaring, one would have thought that the younger, fresher Holycross boys would prevail in extra time. Instead, it was Loughmore who imposed themselves on proceedings more emphatically than at any time in the game, their superiority flattered by Liam Treacy's goal after 78 minutes, which set the seal on the win.
For much of the way there was nothing between the sides. Loughmore led 0-5 to 0-3 at the first water break after a modest opening quarter. At half-time it was 0-12 to 0-11 in the winners' favour. Defences were on top. Holycross' young attack was finding it hard to shake off the attention of the experienced Loughmore rearguard, while at the other end of the field, the picture was the same.
The third quarter saw the balance shift in Holycross' favour. Loughmore resumed with three unanswered points, but then Holycross responded with five of their own and, at the three-quarter stage, Holycross were 0-17 to 0-16 ahead. They extended it with two points on resuming and were still two clear as the game went into injury time.
Loughmore never gave up, however. John McGrath pointed a free in the 62nd minute and, from the next play, the ball fell to Noel McGrath, who lofted a long-range effort over the bar to level and send the game to extra time at 0-20 each.
The first period of extra time was just as tight, Loughmore reaching the break with a 0-24 to 0-23 advantage. Jimmy Lahart levelled for Holycross on resuming, but then Loughmore took over despite Jimmy Lahart levelling for Holycross inside 30 seconds.
Liam Treacy's impact as a sub was enormous. He pointed twice in as many minutes, Ed Connolly and John McGrath made it 0-28 to 0-24 with five minutes left. Robbie Ryan pointed for Holycross to make it a three-point game, but then Treacy pointed and, off a Ciaran McCormack sideline cut, netted to send Loughmore seven clear with two minutes left, too little time for Holycross to stage a late rally.
So, another title for Loughmore Castleiney that will make bookmakers revise their assessments as they begin the defence of their county title against Moycarkey next week. This was a typical Loughmore Castleiney display, grinding out a result when adversity threatened, and getting the job done with the minimum of fuss. The formula and the personnel haven't changed for years, and they continue to deliver the goods for what has to be the club's golden era.
Noel McGrath got the nod for the Man of the Match award. His work in the closing stages, when it looked like they were in trouble, went a long way to keeping them in the frame, and his late levelling point from distance, struck with typical nonchalance, was a score to adorn any game.
Their defence was immense in shackling the talented Holycross attack. Brian McGrath controlled the middle. Eoin O'Connell stepped seamlessly into the frame, replacing the injured Ed Meagher. Ciaran McCormack, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran McGrath, Ciaran Connolly and Lorcan Egan all contributed greatly to this success.
If Holycross Ballycahill are to draw any consolation from this latest setback as they seek to regain the glory of former days, it is that their Mid campaign, with wins over Drom Inch and Sarsfields en route to the final, indicates that they are on the right track and well able to slug it out with the big hitters.
They had the chances to win in ordinary time and will be better for the experience they are picking up on this journey. An opening game against Kilruane MacDonaghs in the first round of the county championship will further test their development.
Cathal Barrett and Cathal O'Reilly were outstanding in a defence in which Bryan O'Mara also stood out. Tadhg Gould and Joe Caesar worked hard at midfield, while in attack Mikey Nally's strength at 14 bothered Loughmore, with Tieran Ryan, Robbie Ryan and ace marksman Darragh Wood benefiting from the space created.
Scorers: Loughmore Castleiney: John McGrath (0-15, 0-11f), Liam Treacy 1-3, Noel McGrath 0-3, Ciaran Connolly, Ciaran McCormack, Ed Connolly all 0-2 each, Brian McGrath, Liam McGrath 0-1 each.
Holycross Ballycahill: Darragh Woods (0-12, 0-6f), Robbie Ryan, Tadhg Ryan 0-3 each, Cathal O'Reilly, Joe Caesar 0-2 each, Eoin Craddock, Liam Doyle, Jimmie Lahart all 0-1 each.
Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Eoin O'Connell; Tommy Maher, Brian McGrath, John Ryan; Noel McGrath, Ciaran Connolly; Ciaran McCormack, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran McGrath; Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Ed Connolly.
Subs used: Liam Treacy for L McGrath (46); Joey Quinn for Ed Connolly (55).
Holycross Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke; Cathal O'Reilly, Cathal Barrett, Evan Morris; Jack Ryan, Bryan O'Mara, Liam Doyle; Tadhg Gould, Joe Caesar; Tiarnan Ryan, Eoin Craddock, David Fogarty; Robbie Ryan, Mikey Nally, Darragh Woods.
Subs used: Ben Hennessy for Fogarty (51); Jimmy Lahart for Craddock (54); Craddock for Hennessy (73); Jack Dwan for Woods (75); David Fogarty for Doyle (76).
Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)