Rising Sarsfields send Kilruane packing

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Group 1

Thurles Sarsfields 2-27

Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-18

Report: Shane Brophy

at Fr. Kenyon Park, Templederry

Kilruane MacDonagh’s season ended tamely on Saturday evening as Thurles Sarsfields confirmed their quarter final berth in the County Senior Hurling Championship in impressive fashion.

The rebirth of the Sarsfields side in the county championship has been one of the most notable talking points so far, and they reaffirmed their improvement with a controlled and dominant performance where their front-foot hurling left Kilruane chasing shadows for long spells.

Needing a win to stay in the championship, one expected Kilruane to throw the kitchen-sink at it but their performance was largely devoid of the intensity required to stimy Sarsfields ability to move the ball effectively.

A contrast in styles was expected with Sarsfields working the ball around while Kilruane’s direct approach had the potential to cause problems but the magpies didn’t pepper the square as they could, and when they did, Sars were prepared with Denis Maher relocated to full-back, dominating the square, negating Thomas Cleary, Kian O’Kelly and co.

While Kilruane played to the end, it was a disappointing exit from such a proud club but they will be the first to admit their form hasn’t been where it needed to be right from the start of the campaign; albeit still an experienced team but one at this which point requires some rejuvenation.

The latter is what Thurles Sarsfields have undergone this year in Padraic Maher’s fourth year in charge. Henry Fogarty, Keith Loughnane, Daniel & Kieran Rossiter, and Euan Murray have infused the team with energy guile, particularly Murray whose vision in midfield was Noel McGrath-esque, epitomised by his run and vision to play in Darragh Stakelum for their second goal on 56 minutes which was the decisive score.

Scoring 1-6 from play would ordinarily be more than enough to be man of the match but Darragh Stakelum was eclipsed by older brother Cian, who was outstanding at left wing back, not just with three points from play, but his ability to stretch the field from their own puckouts was something Kilruane struggled to deal with.

Both were two of four Stakelum brothers in the starting fifteen with Aidan also effective at wing forward while captain Conor was once again superb at centre-back, such that Ronan Maher hasn’t been missed, and with Tipperary manager Liam Cahill in attendance, should be plenty of food for thought about him possibly the man for that role at inter-county level going forward.

Kilruane welcomed back regular goalkeeper Paidi Williams from suspension as the first eight points were shared with veteran Aidan McCormack prominent in the early going for Sars.

The Mid men made the first surge with five points in as many minutes up to the 13th minute, begun by an Aidan Stakelum point following a flowing move which was only inches away from being a goal.

The ever-consistent Willie Cleary got Kilruane going again from play as they reeled off four in reply to get back within one on seventeen minutes.

Sars responded with Paddy Creedon coming to life with a point, followed by a 21st minute goal, firing one-handed to the net after winning a long delivery into the square.

Sarsfields outscored their rivals 0-4 to 0-1 up to half time but Kilruane missed two great goal chances through Kian O’Kelly and then a Niall O’Meara penalty, firing wide after Cian Darcy had been fouled on route to goal, that move coming after Paidi Williams had denied Kieran Rossiter at the other end.

Trailing 1-14 to 0-9 at half time, it was a long way back for Kilruane who struggled to score regularly from play with Willie Cleary contributing nine points from frees.

The introduction of Mark O’Neill led to two quick points from play and when Niall O’Meara conjured up a goal out of nothing on 48 minutes, the margin was suddenly down to six.

Cian Darcy’s second point reduced it further as the game finally sparked into life but that was as close as Kilruane would get as another McCormack free on 53 minutes eased the pressure valve, and when Murray and Darragh Stakelum combined three minutes later, it was game over, with Willie Cleary’s added time goal proving to be mere consolation for Kilruane.

Player of the Match: Cian Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields).

Thurles Sarsfields: Paddy McCormack (7); Paul Maher (8), Denis Maher (7), Henry Fogarty (6); Keith Loughnane (6), Conor Stakelum (Capt 0-1, 8), Cian Stakelum (0-3, 9); Daniel Rossiter (6), Euan Murray (8); Aidan Stakelum (0-2, 7), Darragh Stakelum (1-6, 9), Eoin Purcell (0-2, 7); Kieran Rossiter (6), Paddy Creedon (1-2, 7), Aidan McCormack (0-10, 8f, 8).

Subs: James Armstrong (6) for Conor Stakelum (28-29 blood), for Loughnane (36); Stephen Maher (6) for Fogarty (46); Robbie Stapleton (6) for K Rossiter (51); Tommy Maher (0-1, 7) for A Stakelum (51).

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Paidi Williams (7); James Cleary (6), Aaron Morgan (6), Jack Peters (6); Charlie Kennedy (6), Craig Morgan (6), Kieran Cahill (7); Cathal England (6), Shane Cleary (6); Tommy O’Meara (6), Niall O’Meara (1-0, 7), Kian O’Kelly (Capt 0-2, 7); Willie Cleary (1-11, 0-9f, 8), Thomas Cleary (6), Cian Darcy (0-2, 6).

Subs: Darragh Peters (6) for England (38); Mark O’Neill (0-2, 7) for O’Meara (39); Michael Cleary (0-1, 6) for T Cleary (44); Tommy O’Meara for O’Kelly (60+4 inj).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).