And then there were Two!
By Shane Brophy
As open a Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship for years has ended up producing a traditional final pairing, but not in a modern context.
36-times winners atop the roll of honour, Thurles Sarsfields will come up against Moycarkey/Borris who themselves are 12 times champions.
However, the Mid neighbours haven’t met in a county final since 1962 when Thurles Sarsfields edged to victory.
In the final on Sunday week at FBD Semple Stadium with a 4.00pm throw-in, Thurles Sarsfields will be aiming to end a now nine-year wait to their most recent success while Moycarkey/Borris have to go back to GAA Centenary Year of 1984 for the last time the Dan Breen Cup was in the largest parish in the county.
The county final curtain-raiser will also be an all-divisional affair but this time with a Southern flavour when Killenaule and St Mary’s face off at 2.00pm, aiming to take the place of CJ Kickhams Mullinahone who ended a 34-year run at senior level after being relegated following defeat to Roscrea on Sunday.
St Mary’s progression to the premier intermediate decider has meant their Minor ‘A’ hurling final against Newport, originally scheduled for Saturday, 10th October has been put back by three days to Tuesday, 13th October at FBD Semple Stadium (7.45pm), as the Clonmel side have Harry Lawlor involved on both teams.
None of the four adult finals on county hurling final weekend will have North club involvement after the remaining two hopes, Nenagh Eire Og – senior and Borrisokane – intermediate, bowed out at the semi-final stage last weekend with Arravale Rovers Ballingarry meeting in the third tier decider on Saturday, 10th October in Holycross while on the same day, Lattin Cullen and Fethard will meet in the Junior ‘A’ decider.
Naomh Eoin (Borrisokane and Shannon Rovers) will fly the North division banner in the Minor ‘B’ hurling final against another combination team of Moyne-Templetuohy/Loughmore-Castleiney and has been fixed for Saturday, 10th October in Templederry at 2.00pm.