Double Delight for Loughmore Castleiney
by Noel Dundon Tipperary Media
Another county senior hurling and football final double has been decided for Loughmore Castleiney following the football semis at the weekend, and lying in wait are two of Tipperary’s traditional super-powers – Toomevara and Clonmel Commercials.
There is not enough space in this column to adequately express the level of admiration one has for this magnificent club which continues to compound the odds and continues to fight the good fight on two fronts. Reaching one county final in a year is a serious piece of work, but to reach two, with basically the same group of players is truly remarkable. The trouble is, these lads do it so often that we almost take it for granted even though we ought not to.
Ask any of the sides defeated in the semi-finals in both codes and they will attest to how difficult it is to reach the county final. There are so many potential banana skins along the way; so many ambushes lurking around the corners; and so many pretenders aspiring to the throne, that it makes returning to the finals a very difficult prospect.
Yet, here we have a team doing it on the double, time and again. The football final will be their 10th decider since 2014 between the two codes and including replays – what an incredible achievement.
Loughmore Castleiney’s win over Moyle Rovers last weekend was comprehensive and never really in doubt considering the manner in which they played. It was similar story in the second semi-final where Commercials had it over Kilsheelan Kilcash as the second of the double headers in Cashel – patrons might have expected closer ties but they didn’t materialise and Commercials and Loughmore will now square off for the second time in five years – it sits at one title apiece by the way.
Commercials, though described as being slightly vulnerable this season, are back in their eighth final since 2015 and they have lost just one of the seven – to Loughmore Castleiney in 2021. The Clonmel lads are looking for a first three-in-a-row since the mid sixties and if they can pull it off, it will be a remarkable achievement – almost as remarkable as if Loughmore Castleiney can win the double. So, plenty to look forward to with the football final then as old foes are set to lock horns.
Of course if they are to win the double, Loughmore Castleiney will have to win the hurling first and next Sunday’seagerly awaited clash with Toomevara will be a novel final. That game will be the main course of a very appetising feast of hurling in FBD Semple Stadium which will kick off with the Premier Intermediate decider between Cashel King Cormacs and Carrick Swans.
We will have all four divisions represented on county final day and that should ensure that we have a great attendance for the finals, thereby creating a great atmosphere. Expect the fare to be damn good too with two really good finals in the offing. Let’s hope they live up to expectation and that the hurling public gets exactly what it wants.
We will have either Cashel or Carrick back in the senior hurling grade and the winner will bring much colour to the ‘25 championship. So who will it be? Probably the side which is least affected by the pressure of the big day. All will be revealed in due course.
The late Pat O’Callaghan.
Dr Morris Park has been a regularly visited venue for all those who follow Tipperary hurling and football across the grades. The main location of the various training sessions, Dr Morris Park – now Coolmore Dr Morris Park – was the second home of former caretaker Pat O’Callaghan who sadly passed away this week after a short illness.
Pat had been ever-present there having taken over from Philly Butler more than a decade ago right up to his retirement earlier this year. He loved working there and always had a word for those who passed through the gates – players, mentors, officials, media, supporters and everyone else too. Pat O’callaghan was a gentle soul who loved doing what he did in Dr Morris Park. May he enjoy the fields of Paradise now as he rests easily.