AIB All-Ireland Club IHC: Upperchurch-Drombane reach decider 

AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Upperchurch-Drombane 1-13 Danesfort 0-14

By James Hayden at Laois Hire O'Moore Park

Upperchurch-Drombane are through to this year’s All-Ireland Intermediate hurling decider following a thrilling semi-final victory over Danesfort at a chilly Portlaoise.

The Tipperary champions edged out a never-say-die Danesfort side with a performance full of guts, determination and sheer will to win.

Both sides were quickly out of the blocks and with a Robbie Walsh opening the scoring for Danesfort inside 10 seconds before Paudie Greene retorted for the Tipp champions inside the opening minute.

The Leinster champions replied with efforts from Anthony Ireland Wall (free) and Fionn Mahony before Pat Ryan rattled the back of the Danesfort net with a cracking fourth minute goal to fire the Munster champions into a 1-1 to 0-3 lead.

Liam Dunphy’s charges enhanced their advantage with a fine effort from Paudie Greene and a brace of Luke Shananan frees to lead by four by the 10-minute mark.

Upperchurch were then dealt a massive blow when ace forward, Paudie Green was forced off with a suspected dislocated knee following an innocuous enough challenge along the sideline, an injury that led to a lengthy seven-minute delay.

Des Dunne narrowed the gap for Danesfort with a thunderous charge out of defence and subsequent point on 18 minutes. Upperchurch-Drombane were undoubtedly the slicker side in the opening quarter and edged four clear again with a close-range Luke Shanahan free on 24 minutes.

With seven minutes of injury time signalled the ‘Church embellished their lead after Colm Ryan seized upon a slip up in the Danesfort defence and arrowed over from near the stand sideline.

Danesfort narrowed the gap with two late Anthony Ireland Wall frees on the cusp of half time, but Upperchurch’s early goal remained the difference at the break, 1-7 to 0-7.

Former Kilkenny inter-county star, Richie Hogan was introduced at the break, but it was Upperchurch who drew first blood thanks to a close-range Luke Shanahan free. Fionn Mahony responded for Danesfort before Gavin Ryan arrowed over sublimely struck long-range free on 37 minutes.

Both sides missed chances to add to their respective tallies but a 45^th minute Anthony Ireland Wall free brought the deficit back down to three again.

The final quarter proved a hugely entertaining affair with Ciaran Shortt pulling off a fantastic 46^th minute penalty save from his Danesfort counterpart, Paddy Hogan after Gavin Ryan had been adjudged to have pushed Richie Hogan to the ground.

Danesfort did their utmost to bridge the gap but the ‘Church remained resolute. Danesfort eventually narrowed the gap to a solitary point with a Des Dunne effort before midfielder, Cathal O’Neill restored parity with a dramatic 56^th minute effort 0-13 to 1-10.

Luke Shanahan (free) and Pat Ryan edged the ‘Church two clear in the closing stages before an Anthony Ireland Wall free brought the gap down to one again as the 60-minute mark approached.

Upperchurch-Drombane prevailed though with an injury-time Luke Shanahan free copper-fastening a narrow but wholly deserved victory for the Munster champions.

Scorers for Upperchurch-Drombane: L. Shanahan 0-7 (7fs), P. Ryan 1-1, P. Greene 0-2, G. Ryan 0-2 (2fs), C. Ryan 0-1.

Scorers for Danesfort: A. Ireland Wall 0-7 (6fs), F. Mahony 0-3, D. Dunne 0-2, R. Walsh and C. O’Neill 0-1 each.

Upperchurch-Drombane: C. Shortt; M. Lavery, K. Ryan, D. Carew; N. Grant, G. Ryan, T. Corbett; D. Grant, A. Ryan; C. Fahey, M. Griffin, P. Shanahan; P. Ryan, P. Greene, L. Shanahan.

Subs: C. Ryan for Greene (inj 18 mins); P. Ryan for Griffin (62 mins).

Danesfort: P. Hogan; A. Byrne, D. Phelan, D. Coverdale; D. Dunne, P. Murphy, D. O’Neill; C. Kearney, C. O’Neill; R. Walsh, D. Dowling, S. Hayes; A. Ireland Wall, C. Phelan, F. Mahony.

Subs: R. Hogan for Phelan (HT); B. McDonald for Dowling (47 mins).

Referee: S. Hynes (Galway).