INTERMEDIATE HURLING
It would have been unimaginable just 12 months ago if Upperchurch Drombane had suggested an All-Ireland Intermediate victory would be possible but  that turned out to be the case when Keith Ryan climbed the Hogan Stand steps last Saturday evening. Our opponents Tooreen put up every bit of the expected battle but thankfully our players maintained the clinical finishing instincts they have displayed throughout the campaign to see out the victory.
Upperchurch settled quicker to the task with early points from Paul Shanahan, Colm Ryan, Mikey Griffin and Luke Shanahan in the opening 12 minutes giving them a 3 point lead. Tooreen narrowed the lead but it was Upperchurch who reeled off the next 5 scores with Pat Ryan and Gavin Ryan amongst those raising white flags. Tooreen however were to find their feet and over the final 5 minutes of the half outscored Upperchurch 7 points to 1, a Pat Ryan sideline being our solitary score, to leave Upperchurch one ahead at half time.Tooreen kept on the pressure at the start of the second half scoring 3 more to go ahead by 2 before a Diarmaid Grant point settled Upperchurch. On the 10 minute mark a searing break by Conor Fahey saw him finish to the net to put the Black and Amber 1 up. The Westerners would not lie down though and amassed 4 without reply over the next 5 minutes. Scores from Luke, Pat and Gavin kept the contest tight and when Gavin pointed a 65 with 5 minutes left the sides were even again. Deep into injury time a good Tooreen move saw them score what looked like the decisive score, however there was another twist as Gavin Ryan made no mistake from a free well inside his own half to send the game to extra time.
Goals were to be the story in the 2 extra time periods with Paddy Phelan first off the mark midway through the first to put Upperchurch in the lead and a 2nd Conor Fahey green flag on the stroke of half time put us 4 ahead. A Paul Shanahan goal 7 minutes into the final period extended the lead out to 10 points and it seemed we were home and hosed. However Tooreen threw caution to the wind with 2 quick fire goals and a point leaving only 3 between the sides as we entered injury time. Resolute defending by the Churchmen saw us hold out for a 2 point victory 4-20 to 2-24.
This win marks the first time a Tipperary club has claimed a hurling All-Ireland in Croke Park since our neighbours Borris-Ileigh back in March 1987 and it is over 20 years since the last All-Ireland Intermediate win by a Tipp club when Kiladangan prevailed in 2005 at Semple Stadium.

Congratulations to the players and management team and all involved in preparing the team so well to perform at their peak. Credit should go to the club committee too for all the behind the scenes work. A massive thanks also to all our supporters for their encouragement in the build up and also for turning out in huge numbers in Croke Park. It was also great to see Upperchurch church packed to the rafters for the homecoming on Sunday. This win is built on the foundations of the decades of work put in by those who have been custodians of the club before us and will hopefully inspire the juveniles in the parish to keep driving the club forward in coming years. Thanks also to everyone who donated to the team fundraiser and those from neighbouring clubs for all their well wishes. It was heartening to see support all across the county for our tilt at the All-Ireland crown.

IRELAND LIGHTS UP
We are taking part in the annual "Ireland Lights Up" walking campaign in association with the GAA clubs Healthy Clubs and Irish Life which will run every Wednesday night for 6 consecutive weeks until Wednesday 11th of February. We will gather at 7:30pm in the GAA Field and from there you can walk as many laps as you wish. We have also signed up to the Every Step Counts again this year. This community initiative is where we collectively track our movement and hit 4000km. To be entered into the draw to win a share in the €30,000 prize. Download the Irish Life My Life app on your phone and link it up with Upperchurch Drombane GAA. Look forward to seeing you all there this Wednesday

2026 MEMBERSHIP
Membership for adults & juveniles for 2026 is now available for payment either online on www.upperchurchdrombanegaa.ie or via club registrar Paul Shanahan. Adult Player: €100. Adult Non Player: €50. Adult Non Player with gym: €100. Under 18/21 Player: €60. Juvenile Player(u12/14/16): €40. Juvenile Player(u6/8/10) & Juvenile Non-Playing: €40. Juvenile Player Family Rate)3+ players): €40.

PREMIER CO-OP LOTTO

You can now play the Premier Co-Op Lotto online at http://upperchurchdrombanegaa.ie/draws and help support Upperchurch Drombane Juvenile GAA. Last week there was no winner of the €17,200 jackpot. There were 3 match 3 winners who receive €50 each. The jackpot for next week now resets to €17,200 for next week's draw. Tickets must be bought by 8pm on Tuesday to be in the draw. You can also buy tickets at Ryan's Shop, Drombane Co-Op, Kinane's Pub or Oliver Ryan's Pub.

CLUB MERCHANDISE

A range of club merchandise can be purchased from the O’Neills website. The link for the shop is: https://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa/ireland/upperchurch-drombane-gaa.html. We also now have a new shop with Bourke Sports: https://bourkesports.ie/collections/upperchurch-drombane-gaa

Anyone interested in getting weekly club news and fixtures sent to them via email can subscribe to the mailing list by emailing upperchurchdrombane.gaa@gmail.com with “Subscribe” in the subject bar.

Do you have a smartphone and want to get news/fixtures and results for the club sent directly to it? Then download the Clubzap app(from the Apple App Store, Google Play store or at http://www.clubifyapp.com/download and select “Upperchurch Drombane GAA” from the menu.

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