2025 Dan Breen Final Preview

Dan Breen Final Preview and Predictions.

Nenagh Éire Óg’s precision meets Loughmore-Castleiney’s power.

There is a rhythm to county final week in Tipperary, a hum of memory, form, and expectation. Supporters know that the smallest detail — a sideline cut, a loose clearance, a caught puck-out — can turn winter moods across parishes.

A team is measured by what happens when the clock goes red, a club by what it delivers across decades. On those terms, this final is a clash of identities: Nenagh Éire Óg, often the best nearly-team of their generation, and Loughmore-Castleiney, the parish that refuses to let a decade pass without silver. One hunts redemption, the other defends an empire of habit.

The 2025 Dan Breen Final isn’t just a fixture — it’s the meeting of structure and instinct, precision and power, patience and punch. Nenagh have built their season on control and percentages; Loughmore thrive in chaos and bursts.

---

The form picture.

Across seven championship outings, Nenagh Éire Óg have scored 7-106 (127 points) and conceded 8-74 (98 points) — an average of 25.4 points scored and 19.6 conceded per game. That gives them a +5.8 scoring margin across the campaign.

Loughmore-Castleiney, by contrast, have scored 11-116 (149 points) and conceded 6-92 (110 points) — an average of 29.8 scored and 22 conceded, producing a +7.8 per-game differential.

Loughmore create way more scoring; Nenagh concede less per game. The Mid men hold the stronger overall difference, but Nenagh’s defensive structure is the tighter. Loughmore rely on volume, speed, and goal bursts; Nenagh rely on patience, movement, and shot selection.

On neutral ground in Semple Stadium, the question becomes which model survives the pressure.

---

Nenagh Éire Óg – the road to the final.

Round 1 – Nenagh Éire Óg 1-26 Thurles Sarsfields 3-15

Nenagh outscored Sarsfields by 27 scores to 18, controlling the second half. The key moment came when James Mackey’s long-range effort deflected off Patrick McCormack’s hurley into the net.

Michael Heffernan hit 0-10 (six frees), Sam O’Farrell 0-05, and Jake Morris 0-04, with Barry Heffernan immaculate in the sweeper role.

Sarsfields’ late goal in injury time softened the margin but not the result. Nenagh’s spread of scorers, and their ability to turn momentum after setbacks, set the tone for their campaign.
Player of the Match: Sam O’Farrell.

---

Round 2 – Cashel King Cormacs 0-21 Nenagh Éire Óg 2-13

This was the slip that almost cost them. Fourteen wides in the first half, twenty overall, handed Cashel the initiative despite Nenagh leading many metrics in possession and shots.

Jake Morris scored a first-half penalty, Adam Carey added a goal, and Barry Heffernan again led from the back, but Cashel’s direct style and Eoghan Connolly’s dominance in midfield proved the difference.

A wake-up call rather than a crisis.
Player of the Match: Eoghan Connolly (Cashel).

---

Round 3 – Nenagh Éire Óg 2-23 Mullinahone 2-11

If the Cashel loss stung, this was the reply. Michael Heffernan hit 1-10, Jake Morris and Sam O’Farrell landed four apiece, and Tommy Heffernan came off the bench to score a goal.

Nenagh managed the wind cleverly, going short in the first half, long in the second, and squeezing the South men into turnovers. Barry Heffernan was imperious, while Conor Ryan and Josh Keller knitted play together.
Player of the Match: Michael Heffernan.

---

Quarter-Final – Nenagh Éire Óg 1-24 Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-15

Local rivalry, but no panic. Michael Heffernan hit 0-12 (five frees, two 65s), Jake Morris scored 1-03 including a penalty, and Sam O’Farrell and Tommy Heffernan chipped in with three each.

Barry Heffernan dropped deep to shut down the long ball. Nenagh won by controlling pace rather than chasing goals — a sign of maturity that had often been missing.

---

Semi-Final – Nenagh Éire Óg 1-20 Drom & Inch 1-12

No Michael Heffernan due to a shoulder injury, but no drop in control. Sam O’Farrell took over free-taking duties and hit 0-09 (eight frees). Ben West contributed 1-03, and Jake Morris and Tommy Heffernan combined for four more.

Barry Heffernan was outstanding at centre back, nullifying Seamus Callanan’s influence. Drom managed just one point from play in the first half. Nenagh’s defensive alignment was textbook.
Player of the Match: Barry Heffernan.

---

Nenagh Éire Óg by the numbers

• Scored: 7-106 (127 points)
• Conceded: 8-74 (98 points)
• Average scored: 25.4 per game
• Average conceded: 19.6 per game
• Scoring difference: +29 total / +5.8 per game
• Goals scored per game: 1.4
• Goals conceded per game: 1.6
• Lowest concession: 1-12 (v Drom & Inch)
• Caution light: 20 wides v Cashel — accuracy must improve

In numbers and nuance, Nenagh’s hallmark has been consistency. They rarely implode, rarely chase. Their defence gives up fewer than two goals per game. Their scoring spread is the widest in the county.

But to dethrone Loughmore, they will need to hit their conversion rate above 80 percent and keep Loughmore’s goal chances to one or less.

---

Loughmore-Castleiney – the Champion’s march.

Round 1 – Loughmore 2-18 Drom & Inch 1-20

The season started with chaos — and a finish that will be replayed for years. Drom’s Seamus Callanan equalised in injury time with a 20-metre free, but Aidan McGrath, the goalkeeper, strode forward to land the winner from inside his own half.

John McGrath was majestic with 2-09 (six frees), while Noel McGrath and Ciaran Connolly ran the engine room.
Player of the Match: John McGrath.

---

Round 2 – Loughmore 2-32 JK Brackens 2-20

Pure authority. John McGrath hit 0-13 (10 frees), Noel McGrath 0-05, Ed Connolly 0-2, Ciaran McCormack 0-4 including three sideline cuts, and Paul McCahey added 1-01.

Brackens never recovered from an early goal by Mossie McGrath, and by half-time, Loughmore led 1-19 to 1-08. This was their statement win — control, creativity, and 16 different scorers.
Player of the Match: Noel McGrath.

---

Round 3 – Loughmore 3-26 Lorrha 1-17

Relentless. John McGrath hit 1-11, Ed Connolly 1-04, Mikey Ryan 0-03, and sub Joey Quinn 1-01. The middle third choked Lorrha’s possession. Noel McGrath and Brian McGrath orchestrated, with John McGrath hitting frees and 65s for fun.
Player of the Match: Noel McGrath.

---

Quarter-Final – Loughmore 3-22 Toomevara 2-20

Three goals in twenty minutes broke Toomevara’s resolve. Ed Connolly finished 1-05, John McGrath 1-07, and Tomas McGrath 1-0. Ciaran McCormack landed three sideline points, showcasing one of the championship’s most unusual weapons.

Toome’s late rally flattered the margin, but Loughmore were never under pressure.
Player of the Match: Ed Connolly.

---

Semi-Final – Loughmore 1-18 Holycross-Ballycahill 0-15

A scrappy semi but a professional one. Ciaran McCormack’s fifth-minute sideline cut went all the way to the net, proving decisive. John McGrath added 0-9 (frees), Noel McGrath 0-5, and Liam McGrath clipped key points as they saw off Holycross’s late push.
Player of the Match: Noel McGrath.

---

Loughmore-Castleiney by the numbers

• Scored: 11-116 (149 points)
• Conceded: 6-92 (110 points)
• Average scored: 29.8 per game
• Average conceded: 22 per game
• Scoring difference: +69 total / +7.8 per game
• Most goals in a game: 3 (v Lorrha, v Toomevara)
• Goals scored per Game: 2.2
• Goals conceded per Game: 1.2
• Sideline scores: 0-07 in total from Ciaran McCormack

Loughmore’s numbers show a team comfortable in the fire. They outscore opponents by nearly 8 points on average and create goal chances at double the championship average. Their free-taking conversion rate sits around 90 percent, and they’ve raised at least one green flag in every game.

---

History and context.

Since 1983, Loughmore-Castleiney have claimed county titles in 1988, 2007, 2013, 2021, and 2024. Their record is a lesson in renewal. Nenagh Éire Óg’s single triumph came in 1995, followed by final defeats in 1993, 1999, 2006, 2013, 2015, and 2018.

Their only previous county final meeting was the 2013 decider, when Loughmore edged it 1-17 to 1-16. Twelve years later, the rematch carries history and hunger in equal measure — the side that fell short that day is now led by the next generation of Heffernans, Morrises, and O’Farrells.

Loughmore enter chasing back-to-back Dan Breens for the first time in their history. Nenagh enter chasing the ghost of ‘95. The pressure belongs equally to both.

---

Match-ups that will decide it.

Barry Heffernan vs Loughmore’s delivery

If Barry Heffernan holds the centre pocket, Nenagh can command the aerial duels and force Loughmore wide. But if John McGrath and Noel McGrath drag him out with rotation and diagonal runs, the space opens for Liam McGrath or Ed Connolly to cut in behind.

John McGrath vs Mark Carey and Conor Hennessy

This duel will shape the scoreboard. McGrath is averaging 12.2 points per game, 3.8 from play. Carey and Hennessy have been part of a defence conceding less than 20 per match. Something has to give.

Sam O’Farrell vs John McGrath (frees)

Based on the presumption that Mikey Heffernan wont start. Nenagh will aim to keep their foul count below ten; Loughmore average just six frees conceded per match. Discipline could be the margin.

Ben West & Tommy Heffernan vs Joey Quinn & Paul McCahey

Nenagh’s bench has delivered 3-03 across the championship, Loughmore’s 3-02. The first substitute to score could swing the momentum.

---

Key statistics

---

The tactical patterns

Loughmore thrive in transition. When Brian McGrath wins a turnover, the ball is gone within two seconds, usually to John McGrath pulling to the sideline. They average 5.3 shots inside the D per game — highest in the championship.

Nenagh are more patient, averaging 4 passes before a shot in open play and conceding fewer turnovers in their own half than any side in Tipperary. Their challenge is tempo: when the game accelerates, they must stay structured.

Both teams are elite at frees. Nenagh score on 94% of placed balls, Loughmore on 92%. Discipline will be worth two or three points in the closing minutes.

---

Prediction

The numbers lean towards Loughmore-Castleiney, who have outscored all 2025 Dan Breen opponents by 7.8 points per game and carry more goal power. Nenagh counter that with the meanest defence in the county, conceding just 19.6 per match, and a structured system built around Barry Heffernan, Sam O’Farrell, and Jake Morris.

If Nenagh can keep their wides under 8 and concede fewer than 10 scorable frees, the game becomes a one-score shootout. If John McGrath or Ed Connolly find an early goal, the Champion’s experience and control of match rhythm could take over.

Prediction: Loughmore-Castleiney by 0-04.
Projected score: Loughmore-Castleiney 1-24, Nenagh Éire Óg 1-20.

A final built on fine margins, discipline, and execution. Expect it to go to the wire, expect momentum to swing more than once, and expect that when the whistle blows, another McGrath will have written the last line in the story of 2025.

---

Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship – Top Scorers

Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship – Top Scorers From Play