Strong first half sees Sars into Mid Final

GAA: Centenary Agri Mid Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 1-22

Holycross/Ballycahill 1-11

Report: Michael Dundon in Templetuohy

Favourites Thurles Sarsfields eased their way into the Mid Tipperary Senior Hurling Final with a comprehensive win over Holycross/Ballycahill on Saturday evening in a contest devoid of championship fervour.

From start to finish, the Thurles lads were in control against opponents who failed to bring their ‘A’ game to the engagement, and who now turn their focus to the county series in two weeks’ time with plenty of room for improvement as they set out to retain their place in the top flight.

Faster, slicker and sharper in front of goal, Sarsfields set out their stall early on and were 0-6 to 0-3 clear after sixteen minutes. It could have been more bit Holycross goalie Ewan Bourke saved well to deny Conor Stakelum a likely goal.

Nevertheless, Sarsfields built up a 0-13 to 0-5 advantage by the interval, Holycross having failed to score from play in the period, Darragh Woods hitting three points from frees and one from a sideline, with goalie Bourke also pointing a free. Aidan McCormack was Sarsfields top marksman with five points, two from play, but seven players had scores, an indication of the greater scoring options at the disposal of the winners.

An early Cathal Barrett point hinted at a Holycross recovery, but Sars responded with four without reply, three from Aidan McCormack, before Holycross again came with three points, two from Darragh Woods and another from Ben Hennessy.

The game was put to bed in the 42nd minute when Conor Lanigan signalled his arrival with a goal off good work by Darragh Stakelum, and he followed it with a point to put Sarsfields 1-19 to 0-9 clear and moving out of sight.

Holycross kept at it and were rewarded with a Darragh Woods goal after 53 minutes, too late to make any real difference.

With two good wins behind them, Thurles Sarsfields will face into the final with confidence. Aidan McCormack was their top man in this game but, superior in most sectors, the displays of Jack Derby, David Corbett, Cian Stakelum, Stephen Cahill, and Michael Purcell were also noteworthy while Conor Lanigan made a bid for a starting place with his showing when introduced.

Holycross/Ballycahill have work to do but there is a wealth of young talent in the club following considerable success at underage level. They will need time to come through as they seek to bridge the gap since their last divisional final appearance in 1999. Bryan O’Mara was their top performer with Mickey Joe Doyle, Cathal Barrett, Jimmy Ryan, and Darragh Woods also to the fore.

Player of the Match: Aidan McCormack (Thurles Sarsfields)

Thurles Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack (6); Seosamh Ryan (7), David Corbett (7), Stephen Maher (6); Jack Derby (7), Ronan Maher (0-2, 6), Michael Purcell (7); Stephen Cahill (0-2, 7), Cian Stakelum (0-2, 7); Cathal Moloney (6), Darragh Stakelum (0-1, 6), Tommy Doyle (6); Eoin Purcell (0-2, 6), Conor Stakelum (0-2, 6), Aidan McCormack (0-10, 5f) 8).

Subs: Conor Lanigan (1-1, 7) for Moloney (41); Paddy Creedon (6) for Doyle (41); Denis Maher (6) for Derby (46).

Holycross/Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke (0-1f, 7); Cathal Barrett (0-2, 7), Conor Ryan (6), Jimmy Ryan (7); Mickey Jo Doyle (7), Bryan O’Mara (7), Jim Ryan (6); Eoin Craddock (6), Shane Ryan (6); Tadhg Gould (6), Luke O’Mara (6), Ben Hennessy (0-1, 6); Darragh Woods (1-7, 1-6f, 7), Joe Caesar (6), Jack Dwan (5).

Subs: Jimmy Lahart (6) for Dwan (25); Aidan Stakelum (6) for Gould (40); Gavin Dunne (6) for S Ryan (40); Liam Doyle (6) for L O’Mara (49).

Referee: Martin Ryan (Moyne-Templetuohy).