Senior Hurling games to savour

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals and Relegation Final Preview

By Shane Brophy

THURLES SARSFIELDS v NENAGH EIRE OG in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday, 26th September at 3.45pm

In the latest renewal of the Thurles Sarsfields v Nenagh Eire Og rivalry, the sceptre of injury hovers over both teams ahead of this semi-final, although in contrasting situations.

Thurles Sarsfields have been without Stephen Cahill (knee) and Tipperary captain Ronan Maher (broken ankle) for the entire campaign so far but since the start of the county championship, they haven’t missed a beat gelling into a team of substance.

However, Nenagh’s injury issues have occurred through the campaign, initially with a broken finger sustained by defender Mason Cawley with the timeline suggesting he should be nearing a return around this game.

It would be timely as it could off-set the potential loss of Jake Donelan-Houlihan who limped off early in the quarter final win over Cashel two weeks ago after rolling an ankle and is in a race against time to be fit.

However, the main injury issue remains around captain Jake Morris who limped off with a similar injury in the preliminary quarter final win over Clonoulty/Rossmore at wek previous and didn’t line out against Cashel. The likelihood is he will be available to play but the Nenagh management will have noted how the team gelled better in their last two games by having uninhibited players on the field, with the likes of Billy O’Brien, Emmet Jones and Sean Phelan showing their worth.

However, Thurles Sarsfields are a different kettle of fish to Cashel and manager Padraic Maher really has his team playing in a style similar when they completed the four-in-a-row from 2014 to 2017. They move the ball quickly and effectively, with plenty of off the ball movement.

Without Ronan Maher, the success of Conor Stakelum at centre-back is such that when the Tipp captain returns, he will have to find a different position, and possibly for the county as well. However, Stakelum will get a major test in this game with Josh Keller in outstanding form for Nenagh and the outcome of this match-up will go a long way to determining the outcome.

Sam O’Farrell assuming the leadership role in Morris’ aspect has been huge for Nenagh, something he is comfortable with as a minor and under 20 All-Ireland winning captain, and is likely to be to the forefront of Sarsfields management as to who will be detailed to him, potentially Paul Maher coming out from corner back.

Even with their injury concerns, Nenagh’s progression to this stage has been built on an excellent defence led by Barry Heffernan with Conor Hennessy, Mark Carey, Paddy Murphy, and the aforementioned Donelan-Houlihan, Cawley, Jones and O’Farrell having featured there also. They will have to be at their best to curtail the movement of Thurles attack where Darragh Stakelum is particularly elusive while Kieran Rossiter announced himself at this level with 2-5 from play in the quarter final.

It could well be that the midfield battle could be decisive with the youthful Sarsfields pair of Daniel Rossiter and Euan Murray up against experienced Nenagh duo of Conor Ryan and James Mackey, and which ever has the more impactful game in terms of serving the forwards, may determine the outcome. Verdict: Thurles Sarsfields

JK BRACKENS v MOYCARKEY/BORRIS in FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday, 27th September at 3.45pm

Regardless of who wins the second semi-final on Sunday, one club is going to be ending a long wait to reach a county senior hurling final.

Formed in 1992 with the amalgamation of Eire Og Templemore, Clonmore and Killea (although Killea stepped away in 1997) JK Brackens are in a first senior hurling semi-final while you have to go back to Centenary Year of 1984 when Moycarkey/Borris were last in the county decider.

Both clubs have been hugely impressive on route to this stage with four wins from four in the county championship, although the sides did meet in the first round of the Mid Championship back in late June in which JK Brackens won on penalties after the sides ended level, 2-30 to 3-27.

This was on top of Brackens also winning the Mid final meeting between the sides in 2025, coming from behind with two injury time points.

So similar to how they had the Indian sign over Holycross/Ballycahill going into the quarter final, it is the same for JK Brackens ahead of the semi-final so they won’t be spooked by a Moycarkey/Borris team coming in with momentum.

Playing in a semi-final is all new for JK Brackens although they have experience of winning senior football semi-finals, while Moycarkey are back in the semi-final for the second time in three years, after falling to Toomevara at this stage in 2024.

That day they were arguably surprised to be there after upsetting defending champions Kiladangan in the quarter final, but after repeating the dose to the North champions two weeks ago, they come in with a greater level of expectation that they have to win.

Both teams are backboned by players off minor teams that have taken time to come of age with JK Brackens Og reaching a county final in 2016, falling to St Mary’s while Moycarkey were likewise to Roscrea the following year before finally getting their hands on the trophy twelve months later.

Paddy Cadell remains the heartbeat of the JK Brackens team from centre-back in front of the seasoned Cathal Scully whose likely battle with Kieran Morris is one to watch. Whom Brackens detail to mark David Costigan will be interesting as the Tipp U20 was a surprise full-forward against Kiladangan but it easily as adept on the wing.

At the other end, Jamie & Andrew Ormond have been in outstanding form for JK Brackens and their pace and elusiveness will be something Moycarkey will have to contend while Shane Doyle and the fit again Lyndon Fairbrother are potential match-winners if they hit their stride.

Moycarkey/Borris have shown their ability to finish games strongly but this is a difficult JK Brackens team to rein in if they get in front. Verdict: JK Brackens

Senior Hurling Relegation Final

CJ KICKHAMS MULLINAHONE v ROSCREA in Templetuohy on Sunday, 27th September at 3.15pm

The biggest senior game on Sunday is arguably the relegation final between CJ Kickhams Mullinahone and Roscrea who aim to stay at the top grade in 2027.

That both these teams find themselves in this predicament is a positive indictment of just how competitive the senior championship is as both teams have produced many excellent performances without getting enough positive results.

Both teams made winning starts to their respective campaigns with Mullinahone dethroning Carrick Swan in the South while Roscrea lowering the colours of Kilruane MacDonaghs in the North but since then it has been hard going.

Mullinahone lost the South final to St Mary’s but started off the county championship with a draw against Toomevara despite leading for long spells. A heavy loss to Nenagh was followed by a narrow defeat to JK Brackens which saw them finish bottom on score difference to Toome. They played well in the relegation semi-final against Clonoulty/Rossmore but just came up short.

Roscrea will look back on the North semi-final loss to Nenagh Eire Og and the second round county championship game against Drom & Inch as games they should have won to escape this situation.

The manner in which they fell to Upperchurch/Drombane, who played three quarters of the relegation semi-final with fourteen men, was particularly concerning for Roscrea as they didn’t create enough scoring chances.

Mullinahone were in this pressure situation twelve months ago so know what is ahead of them whereas for Roscrea, while relegated in 2021 before bouncing back straight away, it is relatively new.

Roscrea like to work the ball around but these relegation finals aren’t about good hurling, it is about who wants to win the game more and who is willing to put their head where a hurl should be. Roscrea need to hurl with a bit more abandon and get the ball to their livewire forwards. These are games where there is no point in holding back and having regrets after. Verdict: CJ Kickhams Mullinahone