Impressive Sars’ upset Killenaule to reach the final

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 2-21

Killenaule 3-13

Report: Noel Dundon in Boherlahan

Thurles Sarsfields staved off a strong challenge from Killenaule to make it to the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final when their big men showed up on the day and used all their experience to down the opposition.

None bigger than Michael Cahill– the centre back was the rock upon which Killenaule broke themselves as he swept left and right, mopped up loose play and provided much of the ammunition for the sharp shooting forwards who were simply far better than the attackers from the south even though the Robins managed three second half goals.

Though Killenaule had the lion’s share of possession in the first half of the game, Sarsfields emerged with a 1-11 to 0-8 interval lead – their goal coming on the stroke of half time when Jack Lanigan netted after a move which involved Mossie McCormack, Rory Purcell, and Robbie Stapleton.

That goal put daylight between the sides and even though Sarsfields held the advantage from the moment Jack Lanigan put them in front in the first minute, Killenaule had hurled with a lot of energy and initiative. But their undoing was their inaccuracy and the nine wides they struck in that first half really cost them.

Sarsfields by contrast were far more efficient with their entire full forward line scoring including 1-4 from Lanigan, two from Robbie Stapleton and a point from Tommy Maher, with Liam McCormack and Kieran Costello also contributing on the scoreboard.

Sarsfields kept their noses in front all the way through the half and even though Ciaran O’Dwyer had five points for Killenaule to go along with a point apiece from Paudie Feehan, Tom Stakelum and Mark Stakelum, the Blues looked the better side and used the ball really well – former Tipp All-Star Cahill was mopping up a huge amount of ball and Killenaule had no real game plan to prevent him from dominating proceedings.

Though Sarsfields had the first point of the second half, Killenaule had a great start when an Eoin Shaw goal in the second minute was a real shot in the arm for them. Dean O’Connor and Eoin Barry had points for Killenaule but so too did Jack Lanigan and Aidan Ryan for Sarsfields to leave them four in front.

However, a Ciaran O’Dwyer penalty in the 39th minute after Paudie Feehan was fouled put the minimum between them and with the breeze at their backs, this was the time for Killenaule to push on.

Instead, it was Sarsfields who showed their class with Jack Lanigan, Mossie McCormack and sub Michael O’Brien pointed before a fine individual goal from Robbie Stapleton left Killenaule with a seven point mountain to climb and just ten minutes to climb it.

A Michael Doyle goal was a big help after he had come on as a sub and he followed up with a point as well to go along with one from Podge O’Dwyer – two points in it with time just up.

But Sarsfields finished the stronger and a brace of points from Lanigan along with one from Michael O’Brien sealed a famous win for the Blues which sees them now contest the senior and premier intermediate finals with their first and second teams – a wonderful achievement.

Killenaule were left to rue those missed chances – they ended up with a tally of sixteen scores and though John O’Dwyer was on the bench for them having returned to training midweek, he remained unused and cut a disappointed figure as he watched proceedings unfold from the sidelines.

Player of the Match: Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields).

Thurles Sarsfields: Kevin Bracken (6), Jack O’Mara (6), David Maher (6), Aidan Ryan (0-2, 7), Henry Fogarty (6), Michael Cahill (9), Kieran Moloney (6), Kieran Costello (0-1, 6), Harry Fitzgibbon (6), Liam McCormack (0-3, 8), Rory Purcell (6), Mossie McCormack (0-1, 6), Tommy Maher (0-2, 1f, 6), Jack Lanigan (1-8, 0-4f, 8), Robbie Stapleton (1-2, 8).

Subs: Michael O’Brien (0-2, 7) for Fitzgibbon (43); Michael Russell (6) for T Maher (45); Jock Fogarty (6) for R Purcell (50).

Killenaule: Joe Caesar (6); Jack Hassett (6), Paddy Codd (6), Jimmy Feehan (6), Padraig O’Dwyer (0-1, 6), Joe O’Dwyer (7), Killian O’Dwyer (6), Ciaran O’Dwyer (1-6, 1-5f, 6), Paudie Feehan (0-1, 8), Thomas Keaveney (5), Dean O’Connor (0-1, 6), Tom Stakelum (0-1, 6), Eoin Shaw (1-0, 6), Mark Stakelum (0-1, 7), Eoin Barry (0-1, 6).

Subs: Finn Nolan (6) for J Feehan (37); Michael Doyle (1-1, 8) for Keaveney (39); Dara Fitzgerald (NR) for Barry (58).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).