Loughmore-Castleiney 3 – 22

Mullinahone 0 – 14

CHAMPIONS LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY have booked their spot in next Sunday’s Clean Ireland Recycling Tipperary senior hurling championship final.

The holders enjoyed a comprehensive 17-point victory against a lifeless Mullinahone at Semple Stadium this afternoon.

Liam Treacy and Evan Sweeney both scored 1-3 for the men from the Mid as they set up a final showdown with divisional rivals Thurles Sarsfields.

Noel McGrath’s younger brother John was also on the goal trail as he set Loughmore on their way with the game’s opening major in the 10th minute.

Mullinahone also had goalkeeper Alan Walsh to thank for a couple of first half saves as Loughmore threatened to run riot before half-time.

But Walsh was replaced by Richard Walsh in the second and he too pulled off a fine save to keep the score down.

At half-time, Loughmore were 1-12 to 0-7 clear against a Mullinahone side that looked desperately flat after being taken to extra-time by Kildangan last weekend.

Not even six-time All Star Eoin Kelly, who scored 2-7 in that epic quarter-final, could spark his side into life.

Mullinahone didn’t help their cause by shooting 10 bad wides into the Town End during the first half. And their goose was cooked in the second half as Sweeney netted in the 37th minute, before Treacy added a third green flag six minutes from time.

There was a brilliant moment in the final minute when Eddie Connolly, who is battling cancer, was brought on as a substitute for Loughmore to warm applause in Thurles.

Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: Liam Treacy & Evan Sweeney 1-3 each, John McGrath 1-2, Noel McGrath, Aidan McGrath (3f), L McGrath (2f) & Cian Hennessy 0-3 each, Tomás McGrath 0-2.

Scorers for Mullinahone: Eoin Kelly 0-5 (3f), Cathal Horan 0-3 (1f, 1 65), Eoin Fennelly & Jack Shelly 0-2 each, Kevin Bolger & Donal Cody 0-1 each.

LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY:

1. Shane Nolan

2. Lorcan Egan

3. Derek Bourke

4. Joseph Hennessy

5. Aidan McGrath

6. David Kennedy

7. Tom King

8. Ciaran McGrath

9. Tomás McGrath

10. John McGrath

11. Liam Treacy

12. Noel McGrath

13. Liam McGrath

14. Evan Sweeney

15. Cian Hennessy.

Subs:

21. John Ryan for John McGrath (47)

19. Joseph Nyland for Kennedy (50)

24. Diarmuid Brennan for Bourke (53)

22. Tommy Maher for King (55)

30. Eddie Connolly for Liam McGrath (59)

MULLINAHONE:

1. Alan Walsh.

2. Kevin Walzer

3. Paul Curran

17. Donal Cody

5. Niall Curran

6. Eoin Fennelly

7. Alan Curran

8. Garry Cronin

9. Kevin Bolger

10. Jack Shelly

11. Sean Curran

12. Luke Mullally

13. Eoin Kelly

20. Edwin O’Meara

15. Cathal Horan.

Subs:

4. Philip O’Shea for Mullally (26)

16. Richard Walsh for Alan Walsh (35)

18. Niall Cronin for O’Meara (45)

27. Graham Horan for Shelly (57).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams).

Cathal McInerney’s late goal steers Cratloe past 14-man Ballygunner in Munster