Loughmore-Castleiney secured a dramatic victory in their Tipperary SHC title defence, thanks to an unlikely match-winning point from goalkeeper Aidan McGrath.
The reigning dual champions led throughout against neighbours Drom & Inch until the 63rd minute, when Séamus Callanan netted a 21-yard free.
Despite John McGrath’s impressive 2-10 tally, he opted to pass the final free from his own 45 to his cousin Aidan. McGrath, the goalkeeper, stepped up and slotted the ball over the bar from 100 metres, securing a 2-18 to 1-20 win in Templemore.
The 34-year-old McGrath had already shone, making crucial saves from Kevin Hassett and Lorcan Campion at the end of each half.
Loughmore started strongly, building an early lead with seven of the first eight points, although Callanan’s frees kept Drom within striking distance.
John McGrath’s brace of goals, one either side of half-time, proved decisive. He exchanged passes with his cousin Liam for the first, giving Loughmore a 1-9 to 0-8 lead at the break. He then reacted quickest to Liam’s rebounded shot to flick home the second.
Callanan finished with 1-10 for Drom, but they face a tough challenge to bounce back in upcoming games against JK Brackens and Lorrha in Group 3.
Toomevara and Thurles Sarsfields are also licking their wounds after opening round defeats.
Last year’s finalists, Toomevara, find themselves in a difficult Group 1 alongside Kiladangan and Clonoulty-Rossmore.
They were defeated 2-25 to 0-28 by a Holycross-Ballycahill team playing without their captain, Bryan O’Mara.
An early penalty, won by Eoin Craddock and converted by Joe Caesar, gave Holycross a 1-2 advantage. Craddock, Mikey Nally, Darragh Woods, and Robbie Ryan extended their lead to 1-15 to 0-10 by half-time.
Holycross’s lead peaked at nine points after David Fogarty’s 36th-minute goal.
Darragh McCarthy scored 0-16 for Toomevara, all but one from frees, in an engaging contest with Cathal O’Reilly.
Toomevara rallied late on with points from substitutes Adam Hall, Mark McCarthy, and Conor O’Meara (0-3), although O’Meara was later sent off in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, pre-match favourites Thurles Sarsfields were defeated 1-26 to 3-15 by Nenagh Éire Óg at The Ragg.
Ronan Maher scored an early penalty after Paddy Creedon was fouled and Darragh Stakelum added a goal, giving Thurles Sarsfields the advantage.
Sam O’Farrell contributed five points, including two crucial scores, to reduce the deficit to four at half-time (0-10 to 2-8).
The game remained close until the third quarter when James Mackey’s long-range effort found the net for Nenagh Éire Óg.
In the third minute of added time, Stakelum’s second goal made it a one-score game, but Michael Heffernan (0-10) and Jake Morris (0-4) sealed the victory for Nenagh.
Elsewhere, Moycarkey-Borris recovered from their divisional disappointment to beat Roscrea 1-24 to 1-18.
Bill Flanagan’s goal gave them a 1-13 to 0-9 half-time lead, though he was later sent off with 13 minutes remaining.
Despite being reduced to 14 men, Moycarkey-Borris scored the next four points, led by Kieran Morris (0-8) and Jack Hayes (0-4).
Kenny Lee scored a late consolation goal for Roscrea.
