Strong finish secures Tipperary county football title for Loughmore

Loughmore/Castleiney 0-15 Clonmel Commercials 0-13

Loughmore/Castleiney clearly hadn’t read the script. On a day when the new champions received the Philly Ryan Cup, presented in honour of the Tipperary and Commercials legend who passed away a year ago today, it was Loughmore captain Brian McGrath, and not Commercials captain Seamus Kennedy, who had the honour of being the first player to lift the cup, when they had two points to spare over the Clonmel team in the final at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Holders and favourites Commercials, playing in their eighth final in a row, were going for their fifth title in the last seven years and their ninth title in the last 15 years. But not for the first time their ambitions were shattered by Loughmore, who have now won the last three finals between the teams - in 2021, 24 and this year.

Loughmore’s 17th title, and their third since 2021, owed much to a typical display of grit and determination. After the teams had been level six times, and with extra time looking a distinct possibility, they were stronger down the home straight to claim victory.

With two minutes of normal time remaining Joey Quinn restored Loughmore’s advantage, and they extended it with the game’s final score in the last minute of normal time. That was created by some great fielding by Ed Connolly from a Commercials kickout, and when the move continued Brian McGrath supplied the pass for his brother John to score.

John McGrath saw out the final moments of the game from the sideline after receiving a black card, but his team held out despite the numerical disadvantage

Several of the Commercials players were trying to win their second county title in the space of a week after they helped St. Mary’s beat Killenaule in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final the previous Sunday.

Loughmore, meanwhile, had been free to concentrate on football for several weeks after they had departed from the Tipperary senior hurling championship at the preliminary quarter-final stage

After a stodgy first half performance, there was much more urgency about Commercials in the second period of a game played in perfect conditions. Loughmore led by three points at the break and after the teams had exchanged early scores, Commercials gradually worked their way back on level terms.

That was achieved 12 minutes into the second half when Peter McGarry kicked the Clonmel team’s only two-pointer. They went ahead for the first time since the 15th minute of the first half through Ross Peters with 13 minutes of normal time remaining, with Loughmore appealing for a foul on man of the match Liam McGrath in the build-up.

Loughmore, however, had no intention of going away. They equalised through Ed Connolly in the 51st minute and went ahead through Liam McGrath’s free two minutes later.

Commercials were back on level terms with four minutes of normal time remaining through Tadhg Condon, after passes by Seamus Kennedy and Cian Smith had found him in acres of space.

However, Loughmore prevailed in that tight finish to write a new chapter in their illustrious history.

Loughmore’s half-time lead of 0-9 to 0-6 owed much to their ability to kick two-pointers. The first arrived in the 24th minute from Liam McGrath, when he worked a one-two with his cousin John McGrath (0-7 to 0-4).

Commercials’ Peter McGarry replied for his team a minute later, their first score in ten minutes, but Eoin O’Connell struck with another two-pointer for Loughmore approaching the end of normal time.

That pushed their lead out to 0-9 to 0-5, before Cian Smith had the final say in the half with a converted free.

The sides were level three times earlier in the half, and each missed chances for goals within a minute. Loughmore had the first close call when Ciaran Connolly and Ed Connolly put Philip O'Connell through but he shot wide from a good position.

Less than sixty seconds later James Morris did likewise for Commercials, after the chance had been created by Cian Smith’s smart lay-off.

Clonmel Commercials: Shane Ryan, Tadhg Condon (0-1), Ross Slattery, Jamie O’Keeffe, Kevin Fahey, Seamus Kennedy (captain 0-1), Tadhg Sheehan, James Morris, Joe Higgins, Cathal Deely, Darragh O’Connor, Ross Peters (0-1), Peter McGarry (0-3, 1 0-2 pointer), Sean O’Connor (0-3, 1 free), Cian Smith (0-4, 2 frees).

Substitutes:Thomas Charles for Ross Slattery (39 minutes), Rory O’Dowd for Tadhg Sheehan (47 minutes).

Loughmore Castleiney: Shane Hennessy, Lorcan Egan, Eoin O’Connell (1 0-2 pointer), Daragh McCahey, Tommy Maher (0-1), Ed Connolly (0-2), Ed Meagher, Noel McGrath, John Ryan, Brian McGrath (captain), John McGrath (0-1), Ciaran Connolly, Liam McGrath (0-7, 4 frees, 1 0-2 pointer) Philip O’Connell, Joey Quinn (0-2).

Substitute:John Meagher for Ed Meagher (28 minutes),

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).