Loughmore punishes Kilruane's errors to confirm their place in senior hurling semi-final

FBD Insurance Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Loughmore Castleiney 2-22

Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-19

By Michael Dundon

Two catastrophic defensive blunders in three minutes at the three-quarter stage of the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Quarter-Final at Semple Stadium on Sunday cost Kilruane MacDonaghs dearly as Loughmore Castleiney pounced for goals that sent them through to the semi-final.

In a contest that was finely balanced all the way, the self-inflicted errors which presented Loughmore with goals by Ciaran McCormack in the 39th minute, just after he came on, and Liam McGrath three minutes later, tipped the balance in Loughmore’s favour, just when Kilruane MacDonaghs appeared to be getting on top.

Kilruane did not falter despite the setbacks and were only a point behind as the hour mark approached but, in keeping with the trend of their campaign this year, Loughmore finished powerfully, hitting five points without reply in as many minutes for a win that, in many people’s opinions, installs them as favourites to land the title.

Regarded by many as the match of the quarter-finals, this encounter was an absorbing affair all through as each side enjoyed its spells of supremacy but, when it really counted, the Mid men drew on all their experience to see off the formidable challenge from the Cloughjordan boys. 

They had the quality to punish the Kilruane errors and the resolve to withstand the MacDonagh pressure when it came.

The first half was a finely balanced affair. The sides were level six times in the period which saw them finish with eleven points each. Willie Cleary’s accuracy from frees saw him bag five points with Cian Darcy(2)  always a threat for Kilruane. 

As ever, John McGrath was Loughmore’s “main man” with six of their first-half scores, while Brian McGrath’s work around the defence sealed off any gaps that Kilruane might exploit.

The outcome was very much in the melting pot when play resumed, Kilruane nosing ahead with points two Jerome Cahill points to which Ed Connolly responded for Loughmore. Seven minutes into the second half Willie Cleary availed of a kindly break of the ball to blast home a Kilruane goal for a 1-13 to 0-12 lead. 

It appeared a decisive moment in a tight game, but two minutes later, Kilruane’s defence pressed the self-destruct button off a short puck-out to give Ciaran McCormack, who had just come on, the chance to net for Loughmore. Three minutes later the Kilruane defence again blundered and this time it was the Loughmore captain Liam McGrath who punished the lapse with his side’s second goal and a 2-13 to 1-14 lead. 

To their credit, Kilruane did not panic. By the 49th minute, thanks to points from Cian Darcy, Aaron Morgan and Willie Cleary, to which Liam McGrath replied, the sides were level 2-14  to 1-17. People were considering the possibility that this might go to extra time.

Loughmore then went three clear thanks to Ciaran McCormack, Ciaran Connolly and Ed Connolly but a brace from Willie Cleary kept Kilruane on their heels(2-17 to 1-19) with five minutes to go. The likelihood of extra time became an even greater possibility. 

That’s as good as it got for Kilruane however, as Loughmore, as they have done in most of their games this year, moved up another gear at the finish, three John McGrath points, augmented by others from Ed Connolly and Liam Treacy, pushed them six clear well into injury time, the Kilruane challenge waning by the minute.

On the evidence of this, Loughmore will be favourites to take the title. Experienced campaigners that they are they will not be influenced by public opinion but will go about their business in their usual way, never panicking when in trouble, and supremely efficient in taking the chances presented to them with the minimum of fuss. 

They know they have the players to succeed and while the McGrath influence is immense, it was all about the team effort with all contributing to the overall performance.

John McGrath was their most influential player on Sunday but Ciaran Connolly, Eoin Connolly, Brian McGrath, John Ryan, and Ciaran McCormack when introduced, all had a big say. Though quieter than usual Noel McGrath still made some telling interventions as did Joey Hennessy.

Kilruane will be frustrated that uncharacteristic errors cost them this game when they looked to be getting on top but overall they have had a decent championship with the ground laid for a big year next year. 

Their programme numbers bore little resemblance to their placings on the field, with Niall O’Meara listed as eleven, operating at six, Jerome Cahill, listed at eight, operating at fourteen, and a myriad of other adjustments from the team on the programme.

Cian Darcy was their most dangerous forward from play with Willie Cleary’s free-taking again a major feature of their game. Jerome Cahill was very effective on the edge of the square with Aaron Morgan’s surging runs, which yielded two points, also eye-catching. Kieran Cahill and Niall O’Meara were others to work hard to promote the MacDonaghs' cause.

Loughmore Castleiney: Aidan McGrath; Ed Meagher (0-1), Joey Hennessy, Willie Eviston; John Ryan, Brian McGrath, Lorcan Egan; Noel McGrath (0-1), Ciaran Connolly (0-2); Tommy Maher (0-1), Tomas McGrath (0-1), Ed Connolly (0-3) John McGrath (0-10, 0-8f), Ciaran McGrath, Liam McGrath (1-1); 

Subs used: Ciaran McCormack (1-1) for C McGrath (37); Liam Treacy (0-1) for Meagher.

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Paidi Williams; James Cleary, Kieran Cahill, Eoin Hogan; Darragh Peters, Craig Morgan, Aaron Morgan (0-2); Jerome Cahill (0-2), Conor Austin; Willie Cleary (1-9, 0-8f), Niall O’Meara (0-1), Kian O’Kelly (0-1); Mark O’Neill, Thomas Cleary (0-1), Cian Darcy (0-3).

Subs used: Seamus Hennessy for Peters (44); Jack Peters for Austin (52); Cathal England for O’Neill (57).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)