Holders Loughmore put down a marker
By Michael Dundon for the Irish Examiner newspaper
Loughmore-Castleiney 3-22 Mullinahone 0-14
Holders Loughmore-Castleiney were never troubled as they saw off Mullinahone by 17 points in the Tipperary SHC semi-final at Semple Stadium yesterday. They were in control from the start, John McGrath’s goal after nine minutes easing them 1-4 to 0-0 clear.
Match Highlights courtesy of Babble.ie
Even with the aid of the breeze, Mullinahone struggled to get into the game. Points from Eoin Kelly (3) and Jack Shelley (2) got them moving, but by half-time, Loughmore were 1-12 to 0-7 ahead, thanks to fine finishing by John and Noel McGrath and Evan Sweeney.
It was going to take a big effort from Mullinahone to turn the game around in the second-half but Evan Sweeney’s goal for Loughmore after 36 minutes put paid to any outside chance the South champions had of causing an upset. Mullinahone battled to the finish but Liam Treacy’s goal for Loughmore five minutes from time was the final nail in the Mullinahone coffin.
Loughmore fans in the 4,187 attendance had much to be pleased about as their side played with pace and fluency and they will now be favourites to retain their title in next week’s final against arch rivals Thurles Sarsfields. All of their forwards got on the scoresheet with the efforts of Evan Sweeney, Liam Treacy, John McGrath and Noel McGrath particularly notweworthy. Further back, Aidan McGrath and Tom King were prominent.
Eoin Kelly and Paul Curran did their best to inspire their Mullinahone colleagues but the south champions failed to produce their best form. Alan Curran, Eoin Fennelly and Jack Shelley were others to work hard for them.
Loughmore-Castleiney scorers: L Treacy and E Sweeney,(1-3 each); J McGrath(1-2); L McGrath, N McGrath, A McGrath, and C Hennessy(0-3 each); T McGrath(0-2).
Mullinahone scorers: E Kelly 0-6; C Horan(0-3), J Shelley(0-2), E Fennelly, D Cody, K Bolger (0-1 each).
LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY: S Nolan; L Egan, D Bourke, J Hennessy; A McGrath, D Kennedy, T King; C McGrath, T McGrath; J McGrath, L Treacy, N McGrath; L McGrath, E Sweeney, C Hennessy.
Subs: J Ryan for J McGrath; J Nyland for Kennedy; D Brennan for Bourke; T Maher for King; E Connolly for L McGrath;
MULLINAHONE: A Walsh; K Walzer, P Curran, D Cody; N Curran, E Fennelly, A Curran; G Cronin, K Bolger; J Shelley, S Curran, L Mullally; E Kelly, E O Meara, C Horan.
Subs: P O Shea for Mullally; R Walsh for Walsh; N Cronin for O Meara; G Horan for Shelley.
Referee: F Horgan, Knockavilla Kickhams.
By Jonathan Cullen Mon 27th Oct
