Thurles strike late to down Treacys

Thurles Sarsfields 3-19

Sean Treacys 1-18

Report: Michael Dundon in Drombane

Former county panellist Billy McCarthy’s introduction at half-time was key to Thurles Sarsfields’ victory over a spirited Sean Treacys in the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship group 1 tie on Sunday evening.

McCarthy has been out of hurling for over a year and is building up his fitness levels with a view to senior action in due course. His second half presence added the drive to a Sarsfield’s attack that had been under-performing earlier and carried them to a flattering seven points win.

Early on Treacys looked likely winners as they forged a 0-10 to 0-4 lead thanks to the good work of Patrick Dawson, Colm Kennedy and James Butler but Sarsfields finished the half well goals from former county minor Cillian Minogue (27 mins) and a penalty goal by Jack Lanigan (29 mins) after Michael O’Brien was fouled enabling them to be level at the break, 2-7 to 0-13.

After enjoying more of the play Treacys had to be disappointed not to be ahead at the break but within four minutes of resuming they had a brace of Cillian Kennedy points and another from Patrick Dawson to hit the front.

The tempo of the game had risen considerably as Sarsfields fought back to level, points from Jack Lanigan (2), Conor Lanigan and Tommy Maher, to which Patrick Deegan replied for Treacys tying the game 2-11 to 0-17 approaching the three quarter mark.

On 45 minutes, James Butler scored a great goal for Sean Treacys, shrugging off a couple of attempts to stop him but in a flash Sarsfields had points from Michael O’Brien, Jack Lanigan and Michael Purcell to level, 2-14 to 1-17.

In the 53rd minute, the break of a high delivery into the Treacys defence fell kindly for Mossy McCormack who still had a lot of work to do before rifling home Sarsfields third goal. Jack Lanigan followed with a point and then centre halfback

Tommy Maher swept over three points, two from play, as the Thurles lads moved out of reach. James Butler had an injury time point for Treacys, cancelled by Michael Purcell’s effort for Sarsfields, leaving Sarsfields far more comfortable winners on the scoreboard than the order of play suggested.

It was a big win for Thurles Sarsfields who, despite a drain on their resources at this level by the demands of the senior side, have been in the shake-up for honours since the grade was inaugurated.

Their next assignment is against Gortnahoe/Glengoole who defeated them in the Mid semi-final with the winner there virtually assured of a knock-out spot in the championship.

Billy McCarthy’s influence greatly strengthened Sarsfields hand, but Tommy Maher was a dominant figure all through with Michael Purcell, Seosamh Ryan, Jack Lanigan, Conor Lanigan and Cillian Minogue also key figures in the win.

The loss leaves Sean Treacys with no more wriggle room as they shape up to face Moyne-Templetuohy in the next round.

This outing however should give them every reason to be confident going forward with such as Colm Kennedy, Patrick Deegan, Seanie Ryan, James Butler and Patrick Dawson leading by example.

Player of the Match: Tommy Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)

Thurles Sarsfields: Kevin Bracken (6); Aidan Ryan (6), Jack O’Mara (6), Paul Noonan (6); Seosamh Ryan (7), Tommy Maher (0-4, 2f, 9), Jack Derby (6); Daniel Rossiter (0-1, 6), Michael Purcell (0-1, 7); Rory Purcell (0-1, 6), Jack Lanigan (1-6, 1-0 pen, 0-6f) 7), Mossy McCormack (1-0, 6); Michael O’Brien (0-1, 6), Conor Lanigan (0-3, 7), Cillian Minogue (1-1, 7).

Subs: Billy McCarthy (7) for R Purcell (HT); David Corbett (6) for Noonan (46); Michael Russell (0-1, 6) for Minogue (55), Fionn Fogarty (NR) for M Purcell (59).

Sean Treacys: Shane Stapleton (6); Christy Egan (6), Sean Hickey (6), Paul Nolan (6); Andy O’Brien (6), Colm Kennedy (7), Brian Carey (7); Brendan O’Dwyer (6), Patrick Deegan (0-4, 7); Seanie Ryan (0-1, 7), Michael Feehan (0-1, 6), Jody Ryan (6); Cillian Kennedy (0-2, 6), Patrick Dawson (0-7f, 7), James Butler (1-3, 8).

Subs: Darragh Carr (0-1, 6) for J Ryan (9 inj); Stevie Carr (6) for S Ryan (37); Tom Hickey (6) for O’Dwyer (42); Larry Collins (6) for Dawson (47); Tom O’Dwyer for Carey (55).

Referee: Brian Tyrell (St Mary’s).