Second chance saloon for Lorrha and Thurles Sarsfields

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Final Replay Preview

By James Hayden

LORRHA v THURLES SARSFIELDS

MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

Saturday, 21st October

Throw-in @ 2.30pm (E.T.)

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess).

Both Lorrha and Thurles Sarsfields have been afforded a second bite of the cherry in what will be a hugely-anticipated County Premier Intermediate Hurling Final Replay next Saturday following a helter-skelter drawn final last weekend.

Reigning North champions Lorrha will now have a full seven days to prepare for a second tilt at raising the famed Seamus O Riain Cup with the sides set to face off one more in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh.

Speaking in the wake of the drawn game, Lorrha manager Ken Hogan said the contest proved a very tight affair and agreed that towards the finish his charges appeared to labour somewhat under the weight of a late Thurles resurgence.

“I think in fairness it was close all through,” he began.

“We got a goal alright to put us seven up, but they replied with a Mikey O’Brien goal. He had a huge impact on the game when he came in and he was a huge boost to Thurles Sarsfield considering his county final experience playing at senior.

“I suppose we laboured at the end a small bit and possibly last Sunday’s game (v Cashel) and the six-day turnaround may have played its part. The turnaround was quick, but we have a week now to recover and get things in order.”

The Lorrha manager also lamented a couple of crucial refereeing calls which could have gone their way in the game.

“It was a savage game and at the end of the day we felt a few of the decisions went against us,” Hogan added.

“We thought we should have been awarded a first half penalty after Christopher Fogarty was pulled down but look it that’s the game and we have to raise our heads above that and get going again.”

“Overall, the lads fought to the very end, and we are very proud of their effort. Hopefully we don’t have injury worries. Alan O’Meara came off with cramp and he will recover from that. Michael Dolan picked up a knock as well, but we will just have to motor on and keep going and be ready to face Thurles Sarsfields again next weekend.”

Thurles Sarsfields selector, Paddy McCormack was in positive form following the finish his side had to the game and praised the resilient attitude of Sarsfields, not only in the final but right throughout this year’s campaign.

“It was a fantastic final and I am sure for neutrals looking at it was a fantastic watch,” he said.

“We looked beaten there a number of times and after Lorrha got their second goal we were seven points down, but these lads have fought so hard all year and dragged themselves back into the contest. It’s probably a hallmark of this team but they definitely have heart and they showed it again there today.”

Agreeing that the introduction of substitute Michael O’Brien had a huge impact on the outcome Paddy said it wasn’t the first time the former senior hurler had come up trumps for Sarsfields.

“Mikey has come up trumps on a number of occasions for us,” McCormack added.

“Having a former senior player of his calibre on the team is a huge addition. His final point was probably as good a point you will see considering he was under so much pressure when striking.”

Agreeing the Sarsfields live to fight another day Paddy said his side didn’t’ appear to have any major injury worries.

“A few lads have small knocks and bumps and bruises, but we have nothing major to worry about. Hopefully we will have everyone all fighting fit because we will be taking on a Lorrha side that have been fantastic strides over the past two years. Lorrha are a top-class team, and they have a top-class backroom team but thank God we live to fight another day and we will go now and prepare for next weekend.”

Both sides will lock horns once again next Saturday with a huge crowd expected to descend on MacDonagh Park, Nenagh for what promises to be yet again a teak-tough battle between two excellent sides.