Upperchurch pose threat to Noresiders final hopes
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship
Danesfort vs Upperchurch/Drombane
Sunday, 2pm, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
Referee: Shane Hynes
All roads lead to Portlaoise for Danesfort this weekend as they bid to secure a place in this seasons AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship final next month. Standing in the way of the Noresiders are Munster champions, Upperchurch/Drombane who will have designs on another big day out in early 2026. Clashes between Kilkenny and Tipperary sides are always hard fought and full of passion, and Sunday’s encounter promises to be no different. Having defied the odds to lift the county title at the expense of a heavily fancied James Stephens side, Adrian Burke’s charges have harnessed this momentum which has seen them crowned Leinster champions also.
This seasons Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Intermediate Final was a fantastic spectacle and once again highlighted the quality of the club hurling scene on Noreside. In a match that swung more than Tarzan, it was those in the black and amber stripes of Danesfort that were celebrating at the long whistle, as captain Diarmaid Phelan lifted the Hanrahan Cup, a fourth time for the Kilkenny club. The electric performance of Anthony Ireland Wall who notched 1-7 in the county decider was really eye catching. The Kilkenny U20 star bamboozled anyone that came near him, and his 1-4 from play was documented proof that the Danesfort attacking star was on fire that day. The top scorer had good support around him in UPMC Nowlan Park, second half sub Fionn O’Mahony hit 1-1, while another of the rising stars, Samy Hayes registered four important scores in the final. Midfielder Cathal Kearney showed his worth, scoring four of his own. This triumph at UPMC Nowlan Park saw the ‘Fort take to the provincial stage where they were unbelievable ambassadors for hurling in the Marble City and landed the silverware securing a first Leinster intermediate title.
The reward for Adrian Burke’s side is Sunday’s clash with Upperchurch/Drombane. The Mid Tipperary club has had somewhat of a rollercoaster season that has seen them have many peaks and troughs. Back in the summer they lost a Mid Division semifinal to Moyne/Templetuohy, a team that struggled to avoid relegation. When the group stages of the championship got going, Liam Dunphy’s outfit didn’t get off to the best of starts, honors even in their encounter with Moneygall. They got a much-needed win in round two over Burgess before pulling off the great escape in their clash with Ballina. Had Gavin Ryan’s late free not somehow landed in the oppositions net, Upperchurch would have been done and dusted months ago, but like Danesfort, they have regrouped and gathered momentum as the season has gone on. A semifinal clash with Gortnahoe brought out more resolve from Dunphy’s team, the opposition looked to be home and hosed, but the men in stripes prevailed by the bare minimum on a scoreline of 0-20 to 0-19. Luke Shanahan top scored for his side, notching 0-8 including seven from place balls, but POTM honors went to Paddy Phelan who hit six sweet points from play, including the injury time winner. Another to catch the eye in the victory over Gortnahoe was No.14; Paudie Greene, who along with free taker Luke Shanahan, notched the scores to level matters on the hour.
The FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Final saw The ‘Church take on Carrick Swan at FBD Semple Stadium in late October. Many fancied their opponents to lift the O Riain Cup, with this being their second successive decider, but some wastefulness meant that the men in black and amber were always in control and fully deserving of earning a return to the senior ranks having been at the grade below for the past couple of season. Upperchurch got off to a flyer, Paul Shanahan providing the finishing touch to a searching ball into the danger zone from his brother Luke. Despite the best efforts of Swan’s Stefan Tobin, Liam Dunphy’s side held a 2-point lead at the short whistle. A slight purple patch near the end of the 3rd quarter when Upperchurch registered four points without reply, gave them some breathing space and when Paddy Phelan scored his sides second major 50 minutes after a poor puck out, the result was put to bed as the won out by six.
Like Danesfort, getting their seat back at the top table was the aim for Upperchurch, and with that secured, they were in bonus territory with a first ever Munster campaign to come. First up was a clash with Cork champions Ballinhassig, who arrived in FBD Semple Stadium confident of victory. The team from the Rebel County knew early doors that they were not going to have things their own way, as some great pressure resulted in a Pat Ryan goal after five minutes. By the 20th minute the Cork side were level, but like in their previous outing, ‘The Church produced a little scoring burst, hitting five on the bounce but Ballinhassig hit 3 of their own to go in two points adrift at the interval. A second major scored by Conor Fahey gave Dunphy’s men some respite and despite the gritty efforts of the Leesiders, a Keith Ryan inspired defence stood tall and got the Tipp men over the line.
O’Callaghan Mills of Clare were the Premier County sides opposition in the provincial final. The TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick was the venue for the decider, which was not without controversy. The Clare champions finished the evening with 12 players, and the Banner side were not happy with Deise referee Nicky O’Toole‘s performance. Upperchurch blasted 3 late goals to make the scoreline a little less reflective of the battle that took place, but a POTM display from Conor Fahey (1-2) as they romped home by some 14 points.
Adrian Burke will have watched the game tapes and know that Sunday’s opponents are to be respected and will bring a fair bit of Tipp trouble with them to Portlaoise. The Shanahan’s, Luke and Paul are quality hurlers, the former if his radar is on, will keep the scoreboard moving from the placed ball, while the latter will pop up everywhere and be at the heart of anything good that Upperchurch do in the last four encounter. Captain Keith Ryan will leave everything on the pitch as he bids to lead his side to Croke Park in January and his battle with the likes of Brian McDonald and Anthony Ireland Wall. Des Dunne and Daire O’Neill will hope that their attacking forays will not be compromised by watching the likes of the dangerous Conor Fahey, Paudie Greene and Paul Shanahan.
Having lifted the cup named in honor of his Father, veteran Paul Murphy will know that his experience and quality in the ‘6’ position will be crucial for his Danesfort side. His calmness and ability to communicate across the field are huge assets to the Kilkenny champions, and I’d say he wouldn’t mind another run out at Croker! A pair of Cathal’s, Kearney and O’Neill will hope to bring their steel and dynamism to Laois Hire O’Moore Park and win the battle in and around the engine room. The contributions of Sam Hayes, Robbie Walsh, Fionn O’Mahony and Anthony Ireland Wall can be match winning, and if the cavalry is needed, Richie Hogan may lead the charge. Ádh mór Dún Feart.
