Moycarkey Borris stun champions Loughmore Castleiney with commanding opening-round victory

FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship - Group 2 - Round 1

Moycarkey Borris 1-19

Loughmore Castleiney 0-15

The opening game of the 2026 FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship produced a major shock as champions for the past two years, Loughmore Castleiney, suffered a seven-point loss to Moycarkey Borris in round one of Group 2 on Friday evening.

Group 2 features three divisional champions, Borris-Ileigh (North), Clonoulty Rossmore (West) and Loughmore Castleiney (Mid). In such a challenging environment, Moycarkey Borris did themselves a huge favour by securing this win and, given the level of their performance, they will not be in awe of any opposition.

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Moycarkey Borris played with great heart and determination. They never allowed their opponents to control the game, competing in full-blooded fashion throughout, and thoroughly deserved their win, but it has to be acknowledged that the champions were way below their best.

On a pitch that was rock-hard from the extended spell of hot weather, they struggled to get to the pitch of the game but, given their great record of getting over the line in close encounters, nobody was writing them off at any stage.

The winners served due notice of their mindset with three points in the opening five minutes. Loughmore responded with three of their own to level at 0-3 each after nine minutes. County goalie Rhys Shelley led the way for Moycarkey with two points, to which Kieran Morris and Bill Flanagan added points as they went 0-7 to 0-3 clear starting the second quarter.

Once more, Loughmore responded, with two John McGrath points and one from Ciaran McGrath keeping them right in the frame, but Moycarkey finished the half with a flourish.

Killian Cantwell, Niall Heffernan and Rory Darmody pointed before David Costigan netted in injury time off a Niall Heffernan delivery for an interval lead of 1-10 to 0-6.

Given they had the aid of the breeze, Moycarkey’s lead was not beyond Loughmore’s reach and, when they resumed with four John McGrath points on the trot in five minutes, it looked as though they were on the march and Moycarkey looked vulnerable.

Rhys Shelley’s third point steadied them, but further Loughmore points from Ciaran Connolly and Ciaran McCormack made it a two-point game.

The gauntlet was thrown down by Loughmore, who looked poised to reel in their rivals, but when the chips were down, Moycarkey showed their mettle. They fired over five points without reply from Niall Heffernan, Killian Cantwell, David Costigan, Kieran Morris and Max Hackett to go 1-16 to 0-12 clear with eight minutes to play.

Loughmore don't panic. Points by Ciaran Connolly and John McGrath suggested a rally. Noel McGrath moved to full forward in search of the goal they so badly needed, but Moycarkey had the bit between their teeth and were not flinching.

Phillip O’Connell had a goal chance for Loughmore which Rhys Shelley turned over the bar, but there was no stopping Moycarkey Borris, who surged over the line for a huge win for the club.

The delight of the Moycarkey players, management and supporters was justified after a win that will hugely boost confidence in qualifying from this group. Granted, Loughmore were well below their best, but perhaps that was attributable to the relentless tenacity of Denis Kelly’s charges, who showed great character when Loughmore looked to be about to overtake them.

Rhys Shelley’s confident performance lifted his colleagues, with Stephen Walsh, Eoghan Hayes, Killian Cantwell, Ciaran Cummins, Niall Heffernan and David Costigan all having big games. Max Hackett’s return to action, contributing two points, was also very encouraging.

A setback for Loughmore Castleiney, but no more than that. Their Mid final win guarantees them at least a preliminary quarter-final spot in the county championship, which eases the pressure on them. In this encounter, they looked uncharacteristically flat and lacking in energy. They were without their injured captain, Liam McGrath, whose return to the attack will be welcomed.

Lorcan Egan, Eoin O'Connell, Brian McGrath, Ciaran Connolly and John McGrath did their utmost to get them going. A further setback for them was the shoulder injury to Ciaran Connolly, which forced his withdrawal at the finish and could keep him out for some weeks.

Scorers: Moycarkey Borris: Kieran Morris 0-5f, David Costigan 1-1, Killian Cantwell 0-3f, Rhys Shelly (0-3, 0-2f), Niall Heffernan, Max Hackett 0-2 each, Bill Flanagan, Joe Maher, Rory Darmody 0-1 each.

Loughmore Castleiney: John McGrath (0-9, 0-6f), Ciaran Connolly 0-3, Ciaran McGrath, Ciaran McCormack, Joey Quinn 0-1 each.

Moycarkey Borris: Rhys Shelly; Kevin Hayes, Tom Hayes, Tom Ryan; Stephen Walsh, Eoghan Hayes, Killian Cantwell; Kieran Cummins, Niall Heffernan; David Costigan, Joe Egan, Rory Darmody; Bill Flanagan, Joe Maher, Kieran Morris.

Subs used: Max Hackett for Flanagan (40); Kevin O'Regan for Darmody (57); Jack Hayes for Morris (60).

Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, Eoin O’Connell; Tommy Maher, Brian McGrath, John Ryan; Ciaran Connolly, Noel McGrath; Ciaran McCormack, Tomas McGrath, Ciaran McGrath; Liam Treacy, John McGrath, Ed Connolly.

Subs used: Joey Quinn for Treacy (35); Philip O’Connell for McCormack (57); John Meagher for C Connolly (57)

Referee: Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers)

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