McGrath leads Loughmore-Castleiney to Tipp county crown

Loughmore-Castleiney 2-19 Toomevara 1-17

County star John McGrath scored 1-13, 1-4 from play, to steer Loughmore-Castleiney to victory over Toomevara in a hard-fought Tipperary senior hurling final at Semple Stadium on Sunday.

It was the club's first success in three years, and their fifth in all, and it keeps alive their hopes of a county senior double as they face holders Clonmel Commercials in the Tipperary senior football final next week-end.

There was little between the sides in a tight first half. McGrath hit nine of Loughmore’s points as they went 0-12 to 0-10 ahead at the break. County under 20 star Darragh McCarthy scored four points for Toome in the period. Loughmore had had the fresh breeze behind them so Toome were well placed facing into the second half.

However, the winners continued to stay clear of Toome through the second half, with John McGrath still chalking up the points, and looked to have put the game to bed when Paul McCahey, who had just come on, netted for them off a John McGrath pass after 56 minutes for a 1-19 to 0-17 lead.

But Toome struck back with a Conor O Meara goal 2 minutes later to set up a hectic finish. However John McGrath had the last say with Loughmore’s second goal on the hour mark to clinch their victory.

John McGrath was outstanding for Loughmore and was winner of the Man of the Match award. His brothers Brian and Noel were not far behind with Lorcan Egan who was very effective in policing Toome dangerman Darragh McCarthy, Ciaran Connolly and Willie Eviston to the fore.

Toome, beaten semi-finalists last year, were bidding for a first title since 2008 to add to the twenty two already won but came up marginally short. Though well held Darragh McCarthy was their dangerman but sub Conor