Kiladangan forward power too much for battling Greyhounds in well contested semi-final

FBD Insurance Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Kiladangan 2-30

Toomevara 2-21

By Michael Dundon

A brave Toomevara effort came up well short of stopping Kiladangan’s march to another Tipperary senior hurling final as “The Greyhounds” were second best to the well-oiled hurling machine that Kiladangan have become, in the FBD Insurance county senior hurling semi-final at Semple Stadium on Sunday.

An inexperienced Kiladangan were beaten by Thurles Sarsfields in the 2016 final but Kiladangan today, as they face up to another joust with their conquerors seven years ago, are a much different proposition, though some will argue that one title in the interim,  in 2020, is a poor return for such a group of talented hurlers.

Hotly fancied against Toome, Kiladangan put their stamp on the game from the beginning and even with only three minutes gone, The Greyhounds were playing catch-up. A third-minute goal from Paul Flynn off a Declan McGrath delivery had Kiladangan 1-2 to 0-2 ahead and on their way and while Toome were not that far off the pace most of the way, Kiladangan’s victory looked inevitable even from then.

And that’s how it played out. Toome were at full stretch to stay in touch as Billy Seymour, Bryan McLoughney, Sean Hayes and Tadhg Gallager reeled off points taken with an ease and confidence that has many talking of a second county title for them this year. Seymour in particular was eye-catching, finishing with a personal tally of fourteen points, his accuracy from both play and frees (8) a huge factor in this Kiladangan triumph.

Toome were struggling in too many places but Darragh McCarthy’s opportunism kept them alive. He hit six points in the first half which ended with Kiladangan enjoying a 1-15 to 0-12 lead. As hurling games go, it was not an irretrievable lead but as the game was unfolding the likelihood of Kiladangan being caught was remote.

It was going to take a big second half from Toomevara to change things. Instead, two minutes after resuming, Bryan McLoughney netted for Kiladangan. That could have killed off the game but there was no surrender from Toome and a minute later Mark McCarthy’s overhead pull flashed past Barry Hogan in the Kiladangan goal. This was quickly followed by points from Kevin McCarthy and Jack Delaney to leave Toome five behind (1-14 to 2-16 after six minutes).

The prospect of a rousing finish loomed but never came to fruition. Billy Seymour was the key man as Kiladangan kept control, a couple of points steadying his team. Coming to the three-quarter mark they were 2-20 to 1-16 clear when goalkeeper Barry Hogan was sidelined for a second yellow card which led to the introduction of former Tipp goalie and Wexford manager, Darragh Egan, a team mentor, with forward Bryan McLoughney sacrificed to fill the goalkeeping position. The veteran goalman paid his way too with a fine long-range point from a free.

Kiladangan’s numerical disadvantage was never an issue. They continued to keep the opposition at arm’s length and even when Mark McCarthy got Toome’s second goal to be just six points behind(2-23 to 2-17), after 54 minutes, Toome never seriously threatened to overtake the leaders. 

With time running out Kiladangan were still 2-26 to 2-21 leaders and it was they who produced the winning flourish, four unanswered points, two from Seymour, to move comfortably into the final.

Make no mistake, this was impressive stuff from Kiladangan who looked as though they had another gear in them if it was required. 

They have an abundance of attacking talent as their scores tally indicates and while Billy Seymour was the man of the hour, all six forwards and both midfielders also registered scores, with Paul Flynn and Tadhg Gallager particularly prominent. Further back Joe Gallagher is thriving in his new role at centre halfback, while Fergal Hayes, Alan Flynn, Andy Loughnane, and Bryan McLoughney also contributed significantly to the win.

Toome have improved beyond recognition from previous years and with a lot of young talent coming through at the under-age level, a return to the glory days of The Greyhounds may not be too far off. 

They're not there yet but manager Ken Dunne will regard them as a work in progress – a lot done but more to do. Darragh McCarthy was their “go-to” man with 11 points to his credit, six from frees in another fine showing. Not far behind was Joey McLoughney whose class and experience was clearly to be seen. Mark McCarthy, Josh McCarthy, Robbie Quirke, and Andrew Ryan all did well. 

Clearly, Toome are moving in the right direction and the challenge for them now is to build on this year’s progress. They have the material and this year’s campaign will have shown that they can mix it with the best and should give them great encouragement.

Kiladangan: Brian Hogan; John O Meara, James Quigley, Fergal Hayes; David Sweeney, Joe Gallagher, Declan McGrath (0-1); Tadhg Gallagher (0-3), Alan Flynn (0-1); Dan O’Meara (0-2), Billy Seymour (0-14, 0-8f), Paul Flynn (1-3); Bryan McLoughney (1-2), Sean Hayes (0-2), Andy Loughnane. 

Subs used: Darragh Egan (0-1f) for McLoughney (45);  Willie Connors (0-1) for D O’Meara (47); Conor Byrne for Loughnane (50); Johnny Horan for Quigley (54).

Toomevara: Rory Brislane; Liam Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Seamus O’Farrell; Jake Ryan, Josh McCarthy (0-1), Joey McLoughney (0-2); Robbie Quirke (0-1), Darren Delaney; Kevin McCarthy (0-3), Adam Hall, Mark McCarthy (2-1, 0-1 sl-cut); Jack Delaney (0-2), Colm Canning, Darragh McCarthy (0-11, 0-6f). 

Subs used: Sean Nolan for Hall (32); Jack Ryan for D Delaney (48); Kenny Ryan for Quirke (52); David Nolan for O’Farrell (54).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels)