Loughmore soar; Golden day; Church on the rise; Abbeysiders delight; Losers disappoint; Farewell to a legend.
By Noel Dundon
It was County Final Day delight on the double for Mid Tipperary, as Loughmore-Castleiney proudly held their crown aloft once more and Upperchurch-Drombane soared back to the big stage with a stirring Premier Intermediate triumph. Neither side will fret that the games themselves fell short of the grand expectations — when all is said and done, history records the victors, and the record will show that the Dan Breen holders defended their title for the very first time, while faith in the ‘Church was gloriously restored.
For Carrick Swans, however, it was another painful day at FBD Semple Stadium, that unforgiving theatre where victory continues to elude them. Once again, they came close — agonisingly so — yet the dream slipped away beneath the bright Thurles lights. Consecutive Premier Intermediate final defeats will sting, but if they can channel their hurt, their moment will surely come. Determination must now replace disappointment.
As for Upperchurch-Drombane, they hurled with unity, belief, and a fierce sense of purpose. Their season may have lacked rhythm early on, but when it mattered, they found their stride — improving with each outing until they hit full flight. Liam Dunphy’s men saved their best for the grand stage, and how fitting it was that they rose together, back among the elite once more.
And then, to the senior decider — another chapter in the remarkable tale of Loughmore-Castleiney. Their cool, calculated mastery of the big occasion sets them apart; they are the ultimate final team. Nenagh Éire Óg, often accused of falling short when the heat rises, cannot be faulted this time — they hurled with pride and purpose, throwing everything at the reigning champions.
When Mikey Heffernan struck that goal twelve minutes into the second half to level matters at 1-15 apiece, the momentum seemed theirs. But when captain Liam McGrath rippled the net with twelve minutes remaining, the writing was on the wall — Dan Breen was staying in Loughmore. To their credit, Nenagh Éire Óg battled to the end, falling by just a single score, but the truth remained: champions are champions for a reason.
For Loughmore-Castleiney, a sixth county title — and their third of this decade — tasted every bit as sweet as the first. Now, with hurling taking full command of their focus, the Tipp champions march into Munster battle, where another Éire Óg — this time from Ennis — awaits. In buoyant spirits and formidable form, Loughmore will carry the hopes and heartbeat of Tipperary into the provincial campaign, ready once more to give it a right rattle.
Golden day for Holycross and the Kilfeacle boys.
The Battle of West Tipperary proved a fitting finale as Knockavilla Kickhams and Golden Kilfeacle served up a magnificent showdown beneath the autumn skies in a heaving Cashel on Saturday. The clash had everything — heart, hunger, and heartbreak — and when the dust finally settled, it was Golden Kilfeacle, the favourites, who edged victory by the narrowest of margins.
This triumph crowns a season of promise fulfilled; they will now take their rightful place at the top table of next year’s championship, where the stakes grow ever higher. As for Knockavilla Kickhams, though the sting of defeat cuts deep today, they can hold their heads high — for theirs was a campaign marked by grit, growth, and genuine progress. With lessons learned and pride intact, they will return in 2026 with renewed fire, determined to take that elusive final step.
Elsewhere, Holycross Ballycahill continue their ascent, their impressive victory over Kiladangan in the Junior A decider sealing a well-earned promotion and ensuring there will be mid-division representation in next year’s intermediate ranks. Though Drom-Inch fell from the intermediate grade and Clonakenny slipped from the Premier Intermediate, fate has conspired to promise a mouthwatering mid final showdown next season — Holycross Ballycahill versus Clonakenny.
With a delightful blend of seasoned campaigners and bright young talent, Holycross Ballycahill are beginning to reap the rewards of years of underage endeavour. Yet, as their ambitions rise, they know the road ahead still demands effort, unity, and unrelenting hunger.
The late John ‘Mackey’ McKenna.
It is no exaggeration to say that to earn a place on Tipp’s teams of the 1960s, you had to be an exceptional hurler — a craftsman of the highest order. And to do so from a club not seated at hurling’s top table? Well, that demanded something even rarer: pure, unadulterated genius with the ash. That golden era was blessed with men whose brilliance transcended club boundaries — players from modest backgrounds who played the game as if born with the sticks in their hands. Donie Nealon, Theo English, Larry Kiely, Mick Roche — names that still roll off the tongue with reverence. And then, of course, there was the late John “Mackey” McKenna, who took his final bow this past week.
A proud son of Borrisokane, Mackey carved his name into the heart of Tipp’s glittering story. He stood shoulder to shoulder with giants and emerged a giant himself — a four-time All-Ireland winner, a holder of six Munster medals, and an indispensable part of that all-conquering Tipperary machine that ruled the hurling world. Though perhaps not as often bathed in the spotlight as some of his illustrious teammates, his value was beyond measure. Rest in Peace Mackey.