AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final: Upperchurch-Drombane 1-13 Danesfort 0-14
Tipperary’s Upperchurch-Drombane came out on top against Kilkenny’s Danesfort in a thrilling epic of a semi-final at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Both sides started out quickly, but it was the Tipperary and Munster champions that outlasted their opponents in the end.
The game started off thick and fast, with both sides scoring in the opening minute through Robbie Walsh and Paudie Green.
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The Leinster side went ahead with a couple of scores before Pat Ryan scored the game’s opening goal to change the lead, with further scores by Greene and a brace of Luke Shananan (two) put the Tipperary side up by four after 10 minutes.
That proved to be the last involvement of the day for Greene as he left the field with a suspected dislocated knee, an injury which caused a seven-minute delay.
Upperchurch-Drombane edged out in front again by four after the opening quarter and, despite a couple of late frees from Anthony Ireland Wall of Danesfort, went into the break three points up thanks to the only goal of the half.
Danesfort felt that star power was needed for the second period, with All-Ireland winner Richie Hogan introduced at the break to help the Kilkenny outfit push back against their Premier opposition.
Fionn Mahony responded for Danesfort after Shanahan’s free before Gavin Ryan arrowed over from a sublimely struck long-range dead-ball effort on 37 minutes.
Things started heating up in the final quarter, with Danesfort keeper Paddy Hogan seeing his penalty saved by Ciaran Shortt at the other end.
Despite resolute efforts by the Ballynera natives, Danesfort reduced the deficit to one point before Cathal O’Neill’s only score of the game made it level as the minutes ticked down.
Two Shanahan frees and a Pat Ryan score helped to secure the win for Upperchurch-Drombane, who will now play Tooreen of Mayo for the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling title.