Danesfort heartbreak as Upperchurch-Drombane advance to All-Ireland IHC Final

A first half Pat Ryan goal and late surge ultimately was the difference for Upperchurch-Drombane as they defeated Danesfort in Portlaoise this afternoon.

The Kilkenny champions were slow out of the blocks and while they battled back in the second period, they gave themselves to much to do in the end.

A missed penalty from Paddy Hogan in the 47th minute which was brilliantly saved by Ciaran Shortt gave the side from the Premier County extra impetus and it's them who move on to Croke Park for the intermediate decider next month.

Danesfort actually made the brighter start with Robbie Walsh, Anthony Ireland Wall and Fionn Mahony all pointing inside the opening five minutes.

Upperchurch then struck for goal when a flowing team move ended with Pat Ryan blasting a shot to the net and it was an advantage that the winners maintained for the majority of the contest.

Luke Shanahan and Paudie Greene then followed up with quickfire scores all of a sudden, the Tipp boys opened up a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

Greene had made a lively start to the game but that was unfortunatley his last bit of action after he suffered a serious knee injury which held the game up for a period.

On the resumption of play, it was mainly nip and tuck a trio of Ireland Wall frees meaning Upperchurch held a 1-7 to 0-7 buffer at the break.

The second half was a bit of a slow-burner with both defences on top but on the back of Ireland Wall and Mahony who both gave good accounts of themselves splitting the posts, the two players combined to win a penalty which saw Paddy Hogan's effort well saved.

Up to that incident, Danesfort appeared to have all the momentum and although Cathal O'Neill and Des Dunne added to the tally even further to draw the game level, it was Upperchurch-Drombane who finished the better.

Luke Shanahan added on two more frees before the end and with Pat Ryan also landing an excellent effort from play, it was Upperchurch that held on to secure a 1-13 to 0-14 success come the final whistle.

Teams and Scorers

Upperchurch-Drombane- Luke Shanahan (0-7, 7fs); Pat Ryan (1-1); Gavin Ryan (0-2, 2fs); Paudie Greene (0-2); Colm Ryan (0-1)

Danesfort- Anthony Ireland Wall (0-6, 6fs); Fionn Mahony (0-3); Des Dunne (0-2); Cathal O'Neill, Robbie Walsh (0-1 each)

Upperchurch-Drombane- Ciaran Shortt; Mikey Lavery, Keith Ryan, Dean Carew; Niall Grant, Gavin Ryan, Toby Corbett; Diarmuid Grant, Aaron Ryan; Conor Fahey, Mikey Griffin, Paul Shanahan; Pat Ryan, Paudie Greene, Luke Shanahan.

Subs: Colm Ryan for Greene, 16 mins; Paul Ryan for Griffin, 63 mins.

Danesfort- Paddy Hogan; Adam Byrne, Diarmuid Phelan, Darragh Coverdale; Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Daire O'Neill; Cathal Kearney, Cathal O'Neill; Robbie Walsh, Dan Dowling, Sam Hayes; Anthony Ireland Wall, Colm Phelan, Fionn Mahony.

Subs: Richie Hogan for C.Phelan, h-t; Brian McDonald for Dowling, 48 mins.

Referee- Shane Hynes (Galway)