TIPPERARY SFC: MOYLE ROVERS lost their grip on the Tipperary football crown as county hurling ace Noel McGrath inspired a Loughmore-Castleiney upset by 1-9 to 1-5 in yesterday's semi-final at Cashel's Leahy Park.

In the other semi-final, also played Leahy Park yesterday, Aherlow secured a hard-fought 0-12 to 1-7 as Barry Grogan led the way with a 10-point haul.

Loughmore ran out comfortable winners against a Moyle team desperately missing the services of two-time All Star forward Declan Browne, who was ruled out with an ankle injury sustained in training last Tuesday night.

Aherlow held on for a two-point victory in a tight finish after losing the services of Ciarán McDonald to a second yellow card seven minutes from time. Aherlow won the second half by six points to four to clinch a place in the final.

SCORERS – Loughmore-Castleiney: C Hennessy 1-1, N McGrath 0-2, J Egan 0-2, 0-1 free, T King, D Kennedy, E Sweeney, L McGrath 0-1 each. Moyle Rovers: P Acheson 1-0; P Shanahan 0-2, 0-1 free, D Nolan, S Carey, D Foley 0-1 each.

Aherlow: B Grogan 0-10, 0-7 frees; C McDonald, L Coskeran 0-1 each. Cahir: B Hickey 0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45, D Lonergan 1-0.