Notable Double for Tipp Champions

County Tipperary SFC Final:

Loughmore-Castleiney 3-10; Aherlow Gaels 0-9

At Semple Stadium, Thurles, yesterday, Loughmore-Castleiney became the first club in Tipperary to win both hurling and football senior championships in the same year. Very few clubs in other counties, where there are serious championships in both codes, have achieved this—when it happens it is nearly always by clubs situated in populous urban areas. Loughmore-Castleiney is a rural club in a small parish. In the face of so much negativity, they are a great example of what can be achieved when the proper spirit and ambition is present. Yesterday was the fourth Sunday in a row in which they were engaged in tough competitive games. Last Sunday (27th October) at Semple Stadium, they played Limerick champions, Na Piarsaigh, in the Munster club senior hurling quarter final. One of their players was sent to the line after 4 minutes; another suffered the same fate later in the game; and they were beaten by a last minute goal.

While rightly praising the winners of yesterday's game, we must give credit to Aherlow. They are drawn from half-a-parish, with a small population, on the slopes of the Galtee Mountains. They have produced fine teams, with some great players, especially over the last 20 years. They won the county Intermediate hurling championship some years back and were beaten by 1 point in the Munster club final. On this occasion they were helped by players from Lattin-Cullen, their neighbours, on the west side of the mountain.