A MARATHON AFTERNOON of hurling finally drew to a close with Éire Óg Ennis through to the Munster decider for the first time in 35 years.
After ending their long wait for senior glory in Clare last month, they have now progressed to a provincial final.
Darren Moroney’s extra-time goal sealed success with marquee names Shane O’Donnell and David Reidy becoming increasingly influential as the action progressed. Danny Russell was deservedly man-of-the-match as he struck 1-14, including the priceless pointed free that sent the game to extra-time.
John McGrath was heroic in defeat for Loughmore-Castleiney as he shot 0-12 for the Tipperary champions. His brother Brian fired over a terrific point in the 68th minute but it proved their last score of the day as their challenge faded with Éire Óg powerfully kicking on towards the finish line.
Éire Óg led 1-17 to 1-16 at the midway mark of extra-time. Substitutes Tom Kavanagh and Rian Mulcahy increased their advantage after that before Reidy burst through the cover and his pass paved the way for Moroney to smash home the 78th minute goal that sparked the celebrations in the Éire Óg camp. A late Russell pointed free applied the finishing touch to their seven-point success.
The setting of O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge was not planned, a burst water mains in Ennis town centre had caused Cusack Park to be closed up for the day due to the lack of water available at the stadium.
The shift to another venue resulted in a delayed throw-in time of 2.30pm and when the action eventually commmenced, a grinding battle ensued for the opening half.
The opening period was a grinding battle, Loughmore-Castleiney ahead 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval. More tellingly the scoreline between the two free-takers read – John McGrath 0-4, Danny Russell 0-5. That was indicative of the scrappy exchanges and furious battles for possession that emerged in contested rucks all over the pitch.
Advertisement
John McGrath of Loughmore-Castleiney celebrates a score. Natasha Barton / INPHO
Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO
Scores from play were limited. John McGrath flighted over a second minute point for Loughmore-Castleiney, exciting youngster Marco Cleary lofted ovrer a brilliant shot from the wing in the 24th minute.
But the critical score was the goal that arrived from play in first-half injury time. Liam McGrath showcased his opportunism and clever positioning to get on the end of a long delivery from Ed Connolly and flick home a goal. He suffered a heavy collision with advancing goalkeeper Darren Stack, who was booked, but the reward was great in the form of the green flag being raised for Loughmore-Castleiney.
With the floodlights turned on for the second half, the game sparked to life as the quality improved and the prominent figures in the two teams really stamped their authority on the play. Shane O’Donnell fired over two stylish points while he showed his creativity and selflessness in setting up Russell for a goal in the 40th minute.
Shane O'Donnell of Eire Og in action against Willie Eviston of Loughmore-Castleiney. Natasha Barton / INPHO
Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO
That pushed into a commanding 1-9 to 1-6 lead but Loughmore-Castleiney responded admirably, driven on by the scoretaking of John McGrath. They were level at 1-10 apiece by the 46th minute, before a Noel McGrath score on 50 edged them in front.
The finale was frenetic. Russell grabbed a score from play in the 53rd minute to level, John McGrath hit a free on 57 and that was matched by Russell on 59.
It appeared as if the Hurler of the Year had the definitive say in the 62 minute, John collecting a long sideline from Noel and working the space to shoot over off his left.
Yet Éire Óg countered with one late attack and Russell stood tall under immense pressure to convert his shot from the left wing, leaving the teams tied at 1-13 apiece. From there Éire Óg seized their opportunity in extra-time to win in style.
Danny Russell and Marco Cleary of Éire Óg celebrate scoring a goal. Natasha Barton / INPHO
Natasha Barton / INPHO / INPHO
Scorers for Éire Óg Ennis: Danny Russell 1-14 (0-12f, 0-1 ’65), Darren Moroney 1-0, Shane O’Donnell 0-2, Marco Cleary 0-2, Tom Kavanagh 0-1, Rian Mulcahy 0-1 (0-1f).
Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: John McGrath 0-12 (0-5f, 0-2 ’65), Liam McGrath 1-0, John Ryan 0-1, Brian McGrath 0-1, Ed Connolly 0-1, Noel McGrath 0-1.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Éire Óg Ennis win extra-time thriller against Loughmore to reach Munster final
Éire Óg Ennis (Clare) 2-20
Loughmore-Castleiney (Tipperary) 1-16
A MARATHON AFTERNOON of hurling finally drew to a close with Éire Óg Ennis through to the Munster decider for the first time in 35 years.
After ending their long wait for senior glory in Clare last month, they have now progressed to a provincial final.
Darren Moroney’s extra-time goal sealed success with marquee names Shane O’Donnell and David Reidy becoming increasingly influential as the action progressed. Danny Russell was deservedly man-of-the-match as he struck 1-14, including the priceless pointed free that sent the game to extra-time.
John McGrath was heroic in defeat for Loughmore-Castleiney as he shot 0-12 for the Tipperary champions. His brother Brian fired over a terrific point in the 68th minute but it proved their last score of the day as their challenge faded with Éire Óg powerfully kicking on towards the finish line.
Éire Óg led 1-17 to 1-16 at the midway mark of extra-time. Substitutes Tom Kavanagh and Rian Mulcahy increased their advantage after that before Reidy burst through the cover and his pass paved the way for Moroney to smash home the 78th minute goal that sparked the celebrations in the Éire Óg camp. A late Russell pointed free applied the finishing touch to their seven-point success.
The setting of O’Garney Park in Sixmilebridge was not planned, a burst water mains in Ennis town centre had caused Cusack Park to be closed up for the day due to the lack of water available at the stadium.
The shift to another venue resulted in a delayed throw-in time of 2.30pm and when the action eventually commmenced, a grinding battle ensued for the opening half.
The opening period was a grinding battle, Loughmore-Castleiney ahead 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval. More tellingly the scoreline between the two free-takers read – John McGrath 0-4, Danny Russell 0-5. That was indicative of the scrappy exchanges and furious battles for possession that emerged in contested rucks all over the pitch.
Scores from play were limited. John McGrath flighted over a second minute point for Loughmore-Castleiney, exciting youngster Marco Cleary lofted ovrer a brilliant shot from the wing in the 24th minute.
But the critical score was the goal that arrived from play in first-half injury time. Liam McGrath showcased his opportunism and clever positioning to get on the end of a long delivery from Ed Connolly and flick home a goal. He suffered a heavy collision with advancing goalkeeper Darren Stack, who was booked, but the reward was great in the form of the green flag being raised for Loughmore-Castleiney.
With the floodlights turned on for the second half, the game sparked to life as the quality improved and the prominent figures in the two teams really stamped their authority on the play. Shane O’Donnell fired over two stylish points while he showed his creativity and selflessness in setting up Russell for a goal in the 40th minute.
That pushed into a commanding 1-9 to 1-6 lead but Loughmore-Castleiney responded admirably, driven on by the scoretaking of John McGrath. They were level at 1-10 apiece by the 46th minute, before a Noel McGrath score on 50 edged them in front.
The finale was frenetic. Russell grabbed a score from play in the 53rd minute to level, John McGrath hit a free on 57 and that was matched by Russell on 59.
It appeared as if the Hurler of the Year had the definitive say in the 62 minute, John collecting a long sideline from Noel and working the space to shoot over off his left.
Yet Éire Óg countered with one late attack and Russell stood tall under immense pressure to convert his shot from the left wing, leaving the teams tied at 1-13 apiece. From there Éire Óg seized their opportunity in extra-time to win in style.
Scorers for Éire Óg Ennis: Danny Russell 1-14 (0-12f, 0-1 ’65), Darren Moroney 1-0, Shane O’Donnell 0-2, Marco Cleary 0-2, Tom Kavanagh 0-1, Rian Mulcahy 0-1 (0-1f).
Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: John McGrath 0-12 (0-5f, 0-2 ’65), Liam McGrath 1-0, John Ryan 0-1, Brian McGrath 0-1, Ed Connolly 0-1, Noel McGrath 0-1.
Éire Óg Ennis
1. Darragh Stack
2. Fionan Treacy, 3. Ciaran Russell, 17. Jarlath Collins
5. Robert Loftus, 6. Aaron Fitzgerald, 4. Liam Corry
8. Oran Cahill, 11. David Reidy
12. David McNamara, 9. Darren Moroney, 13. Darren O’Brien
15. Marco Cleary, 10. Shane O’Donnell, 14. Danny Russell
Subs
Loughmore-Castleiney
1. Aidan McGrath
2. Lorcan Egan, 3. Willie Eviston, 4. Ed Meagher
7. Eoin O’Connell, 6. Brian McGrath, 5. John Ryan
8. Noel McGrath, 9. Ciarán Connolly
17. Tommy Maher, 11. Tomás McGrath, 12. Ciarán McCormack
10. Ed Connolly, 14. John McGrath, 13. Liam McGrath (captain)
Subs
Referee: Nicky O’Toole (Waterford)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Clare GAA Hurling Munster The Townies Tipperary