AIB Munster Club SFC: Gritty Loughmore-Castleiney advance

AIB Munster Club SFC Semi-Final

Loughmore-Castleiney 3-9 Éire Óg, Ennis 2-7

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park

The art of persistence was exemplified by Loughmore-Caslteiney in Cusack Park, after deservedly holding off hosts Éire Óg to advance to a first Munster Senior Club Football Final in 51 years.

Having amazingly failed to even win a single provincial senior tie in either hurling or football in eight previous attempts since their 2007 Munster senior hurling title triumph over Clare champions Tulla, the dual Tipperary champions fully merited their historic breakthrough, having led for the majority in difficult conditions.

It only took the visitors 45 seconds to breach the Éire Óg rearguard as great work from John McGrath released his younger brother Brian to find the net against the strong conditions.

While the Ennis side took time to settle, they did receive a timely boost five minutes later when centre-back Ikem Ugwueru’s superb run was halted for a penalty that Mark McInerney dispatched to the bottom left corner of Joey Hennessy’s net.

While the hosts kicked six first half wides, Loughmore-Castleiney would punish with the next four points as Liam McGrath, Ciaran McGrath, the impressive Liam Treacy and John Ryan carved out a 1-4 to 1-0 cushion entering the final minutes of the half.

Remarkably, they would still end up trailing by the break after a rousing Éire Óg revival was ignited by a 26th minute goal for Gavin Cooney, who flicked to the net at the back post after being supplied by Ciaran Russell.

A late brace of Mark McInerney points inched the home side 2-2 to 1-4 in front by the break, but it would only paper over the cracks as normal service resumed for a now wind-assisted Loughmore-Castleiney in the new half.

Four points in the first six minutes through Treacy, Liam and Ciaran McGrath along with a Tomás McGrath effort that just cleared the crossbar put Loughmore-Castleiney into a lead that they would never relinquish thereafter.

Luke Pyne and McInerney would reduce the arrears to just one by the turn of the final quarter at 1-8 to 2-4, but Éire Óg’s backlash hopes would be floored when John McGrath and Tommy Maher combined to play in substitute Ciaran Connolly to slip a low shot under advancing goalkeeper Shane Daniels for a 54th minute goal at 2-9 to 2-5.

Again the home side went about chipping away at the deficit through Pyne along with a Manus Doherty attempt that just flew over the crossbar at 2-9 to 2-7 in injury-time.

The goal that Éire Óg craved actually went Loughmore-Castleiney’s way at the death as having committed everyone forward for the kick-out, the hosts would be exposed by a counter-attack that saw John McGrath play in replacement Phillip O’Connell for the clinching goal.

It would be Éire Óg’s third semi-final defeat in four seasons. Never-say-die Loughmore-Castleiney now face Dr. Crokes in the decider in a fortnight’s time.

Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: Liam McGrath 0-3 (2fs), Brian McGrath, Ciaran Connolly, Phillip O’Connell 1-0 each, Liam Treacy, Ciaran McGrath 0-2 each, John Ryan, Tomás McGrath 0-1 each.

Scorers for Éire Óg: Mark McInerney 1-4 (1-0 pen, 1f, 1’45); Gavin Cooney 1-0, Luke Pyne 0-2, Manus Doherty 0-1.

Loughmore-Castleiney: Joey Hennessy; Lorcan Egan, Willie Eviston, John Ryan; Tommy Maher, Tomás McGrath, Eoin O’Connell; Liam Treacy, John McGrath; Darragh McCahey, Brian McGrath, Eamon Connolly; Liam McGrath, Noel McGrath, Ciaran McGrath.

Subs: Ciaran Connolly for D. McCahey (47), Paul McCahey for E. Connolly (47), Phillip O’Connell for C. McGrath (53), Aidan McGrath for T. McGrath (55), John Meagher for Treacy (59).

Éire Óg: Shane Daniels; Ronan Lanigan, Aaron Fitzgerald, Dean Ryan; Ciaran Russell, Ikem Ugwueru, Manus Doherty; Darren O’Neill, David McNamara; Niall McMahon, Gavin Murray, Darren O’Brien; Mark McInerney, Gavin Cooney, Luke Pyne

Subs: Jarlath Collins for McMahon (36), Einne O’Connor for McNamara (52), Philip Talty for Pyne (58).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).