Sars show their teeth in dismissing Loughmore
Thurles Sarsfields 2-28
Loughmore-Castleiney 0-25
Report: Michael Dundon at Semple Stadium
The clash of Mid giants Thurles Sarsfields and Loughmore-Castleiney in the County Senior Hurling Championship on Friday saw the Thurles lads streak clear in the third quarter to claim their second win and ensure themselves of a place in the knock-out stages.
It was a performance by the Thurles side which underlined the huge potential in the team and if they can maintain this form in the coming weeks they are going to be hard to beat. They are brimming with confidence and boosted by the return of injured county stars Billy McCarthy and Michael Cahill, and the injection of youth in the persons of Kieran Moloney and Eoin Purcell, they are looking the part of serious title contenders.
Don't write off Loughmore however. This was not their evening and they face a mouth-watering clash with Kilruane MacDonaghs in the third round, the winner to go through to the knock-out stages. Adversity does not cow them but they will have to step up considerably on this effort if they are to survive in what is a most competitive group.
Still no one predicted a nine point winner as the sides locked horns in a free-scoring first half. Both had some sweet points, with John McGrath on top of his game for Loughmore from play and frees, while Sarsfields had a more even spread of flag-raisers, all their forwards finding the target in the opening thirty minutes.
At the first water break Sarsfields were 0-8 to 0-7 ahead, fifteen scores in as many minutes with both sides registering only one wide. Loughmore leaped ahead with points from John and Conor McGrath on resuming but Sarsfields struck a decisive blow in the 21st minute when Pa Bourke blasted home a goal after good approach work from Padraic Maher and David Corbett.
That goal divided them at the interval, Sarsfields ahead 1-14 to 0-14, but the Blues had the breeze in the first half so Loughmore had every reason for optimism on resuming.
However, it was Sarsfields who dominated. They had points from Ronan Maher, Aidan McCormack and Conor Lanigan to John McGrath’s effort for Loughmore before Pa Bourke rifled home his second goal in the 36th minute after good work by Billy McCarthy. Leading 2-17 to 0-15 Sarsfields looked unassailable and they reached the water break still eight points to the good.
Something special was required if Loughmore were to salvage something from this game in the last quarter but it never materialised as Sarsfields went ten points up with five minutes to play. The possibility of scoring difference coming into play later on obviously influenced Loughmore’s approach in the closing minutes as they opted for points when goals were needed, though Patrick McCormack in the Thurles goal had to be alert to stop two John McGrath efforts from frees.
So Sarsfields have secured their spot in the knock-out stages with a clash with Moycarkey-Borris still to come. All the indications are that they are a force to be reckoned with. Padraic and Ronan Maher and Conor Lanigan, who scored six points from play, were immense while Billy McCarthy improves with every outing. Aidan McCormack, Stephen Maher also did well while youngsters Kieran Moloney and Eoin Purcell have added youthful energy to the team.
Loughmore’s campaign is on the line and it will seriously test their mettle to get the better of Kilruane in the next round. John McGrath was their top performer with Aidan McGrath and John Meagher also to the fore. Evan Sweeney and Ciaran Connolly also did their bit but much more is required from their colleagues if they are to reach the last eight.
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Conor Lanigan (Thurles Sarsfields)
Thurles Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack (7); Cathal Moloney (6), Stephen Maher (6), Michael Cahill (6); David Corbett (6), Padraic Maher (0-1, 8), Kieran Moloney (6); Ronan Maher (0-3, 8), Stephen Cahill (6); Billy McCarthy (0-2, 7), Pa Bourke (2-3, 6), Aidan McCormack (0-8, 4f) 7); Eoin Purcell (0-2, 6), Conor Lanigan (0-6, 9), Denis Maher (0-2, 6).
Subs: Michael Gleeson (6) for S Cahill (42); John Maher (0-1, 6) for Bourke (48); Tommy Doyle (6) for Corbett (55).
Loughmore-Castleiney: David Kennedy (6); Lorcan Egan (6), Brian McGrath (6), Willie Eviston (6); John Ryan (6), Aidan McGrath (0-2, 7), John Meagher (0-1, 7); Noel McGrath (0-2, 6), Tomas McGrath (6); Liam Treacy (6), Ciaran McGrath (0-1, 6), Ciaran Connolly (0-2, 6); Conor McGrath (0-1, 6), John McGrath (0-14, 10f) 8), Evan Sweeney (0-2, 6).
Subs: Joseph Nyland (6) for Treacy (32); Joseph Hennessy (6) for Connolly (50); Tommy Maher (6) for Ciaran McGrath (50).
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Kickhams)