Toomevara claim league final place with strong performance in victory over Upperchurch

FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling League - Division 1 Semi-Final

Toomevara 2-24

Upperchurch Drombane 0-16

Toomevara booked a date in an all north County League Division 1 final as they completely dominated Upperchurch Drombane on their home patch in baking sun on Wednesday evening last (May 31st) in the second semi-final played in Drombane.

Straight from the first whistle it was the visitors who looked the hungrier and sharper team with two first half goals through the clinical finishing of Mark McCarthy had the Greyhounds in a commanding position by half time, leading 2-14 to 0-8.

Upperchurch were down some key players for this game with Keith Ryan, Padraig Greene, Gavin Ryan and Jack Butler all missing and they really missed their input as the team lacked any punch or fluidity which seen them really shake up the county championship in 2022.

The second half was less flowing in terms of scores but it seemed that Toome knew they could hold out as Upperchurch couldn't produce any cut and thrust, despite the best efforts of their forward division.

Toome started the game strongly and took a 0-5 to 0-1 lead in the first ten minutes through scores from Jack Delaney, Davy Nolan, Shane Nolan and Kevin McCarthy who all found the target as they got into their rhythm early.

Former minor Tipp hurler Paddy Phelan along with Aaron Ryan were providers for the home team's first brace of points but the McCarthy name would be lit up on the scoring charts in the next few minutes coming up to the half way point of the first half, with Josh, Mark, and Kevin all finding the target from play to push the north side out to a 0-8 to 0-2 lead.

That lead was shoved out to nine in the 16th minute when Davy Nolan's lovely slip hand pass to the passing Mark McCarthy set the former Tipp panelist free on goal, and he showed great composure to bat the ball to ground as they bounce got the better of Ciaran Shortt to hit the back of the net.

It was all going pear shaped for Upperchurch at this early point in the game, as Jack Delaney rattled over his second of the day to continue to extend the Toome lead, but they did start to claw back the deficit hitting three points in as many minutes by the 23rd minute through two Paddy Phelan efforts (1 free) and a well finished Luke Shanahan strike from distance.

However, it didn't stagnate the Toome onslaught as Kevin McCarthy was causing havoc, dropping deep from centre forward to good effect and he hit three points in a row up to the 26th minute - all from play - as Upperchurch were being dismantled around the middle third.

Jack Delaney's striking was impressive as usual and by the time he had bagged his third from play a minute later, Toome were already in the driving seat as they led by 1-14 to 0-5 with the first half coming to a close.

Diarmuid Grant and the impressive Aaron Ryan kept the home team in touch with the next three points of the game, but Toome struck for home just before the break with the clinical figure of Mark McCarthy finding the net again in what was a similar move to the first gla; McCarthy latching on to an off the shoulder hand pass from Jack Delaney to run in and finish from close range.

Toome now in a commanding position at the break as Upperchurch had it all to do to get back into contention as they trailed 2-14 to 0-8.

And any hopes of a quick start to pull the game back into the mixer from an Upperchurch viewpoint quickly evaporated as the Greyhounds hit the first two points of the half through Jack Ryan and Jack Delaney; the latter giving an exhibition of shooting off left and right as the advantage was an unassailable 14 points at this point in the game.

Upperchurch's inly source of scores for the rest of the second half would come from Paddy Phelan, Luke Shanahan (all from frees) and scores from play from the hard working Aaron Ryan, but they were to seldom in occurence as Toome had the remainder at their ease.

Kevin McCarthy and Jack Delaney continued to torment the Upperchurch back line and with Robbie Quirke coming off the bench to good effect for Toome, they won the game pulling up and booked their place in the Division 1 final where they will take on north rivals Kiladangan in a few weeks time.

Scorers: Toomevara: Kevin McCarthy (0-7, 0-3f), Mark McCarthy 2-1, Jack Delaney 0-6, Davy Nolan 0-3, Shane Nolan, Jack Ryan 0-2, Josh McCarthy, Darren Delaney, Robbie Quirke all 0-1 each.

Upperchurch Drombane: Aaron Ryan (0-6, 0-2f), Paddy Phelan (0-6, 0-5f), Luke Shanahan (0-3, 0-1f), Diarmuid Grant 0-1.

Toomevara: Rory Brislane; Seamus O'Farrell, Andrew Ryan, Liam Ryan; Jack Ryan, Josh McCarthy, Jake Ryan; Eoin Grace, Darren Delaney; Jack Delaney, Kevin McCarthy, Adam Hall; Davy Nolan, Darragh McCarthy, Mark McCarthy.

Subs used: Robbie Quirke for J McCarthy (HT); Sean Flaherty for Hall (45); Darragh McCarthy for D Nolan (47); Ciaran Grace for S O'Farrell (51); Conor O'Meara for D Delaney (54).

Upperchurch Drombane: Ciaran Shortt; Michael Lavery, Ger Grant, AJ Shanahan; John Ryan, Colm Ryan, Ailbe O'Donoghue; Aaron Ryan, Mikey Griffin; Paddy Phelan, Diarmuid Grant, Luke Shanahan; Loughlin Ryan, Paul Shanahan, Pat Ryan.

Subs used: Oisin Treacy for N Grant (22); Tom Purcell for L Ryan (42); Jim O'Dwyer for D Grant (55); Pat Shortt for P Ryan (56).

Referee: Johnny Dooley (Thurles Gaels)