Ballina hold on to progress past Sarsfields

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Final

Ballina 2-22

Thurles Sarsfields 3-16

Report: Michael Dundon at Kenyon Park, Templederry

North champions, and hotly fancied Ballina, were put to the pin of their collar to secure their place in the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-finals by a gutsy Thurles Sarsfields in a lively preliminary quarter final on Saturday.

With their full complement, buoyed by the return of Steven O’Brien who hasn’t started a hurling game since July due to injury, Ballina were expected to advance but they did not have it all their own way and were happy to hear referee Michael Kennedy’s final whistle as they struggled to restrain a resurgent Thurles Sarsfields in a tense finish.

Ballina made the running most of the way, but Sarsfields were relentless in their pursuit and finished the stronger. However, Ballina’s earlier work stood to them, and they fully deserved to go through to the last eight.

They began well, going 0-7 to 0-3 clear by the end of the first quarter, Matthew Power’s free conversion (3) a key factor in that. By the 20th minute, their advantage was 0-10 to 0-4, Charlie King chipping in with a brace of points, but Sarsfields began to gain momentum. Free-taker Jack Lanigan was their key man with Aidan Stakelum and Rory Purcell also working well.

In the 27th minute Lanigan set up Stakelum for a Sarsfields’ goal to level at 1-8 to 0-11 but in injury time to the half, Thomas Shanahan’s long delivery ended in the Thurles net, Steven O’Brien’s aerial intervention helping the score.

Ballina were worth their 1-12 to 1-8 lead, but Sarsfields recovery kept their hopes alive and three minutes after resuming Michael O’Brien had the ball in the net after Jack Lanigan’s good work.

Questions were being asked of Ballina and how well they responded. Over the next ten minutes they outscored Sarsfields 1-6 to 0-2, Jack Collins getting the goal in the 46th minute, responding quickest to a ball breaking in the goal area to steer it past Kevin Bracken for a 2-17 to 2-11 lead.

A couple of Power frees and a Jack Collins point, to which Jack Lanigan (2) replied for Sarsfields had Ballina sitting pretty 2-20 to 2-13 after 57 minutes but then, when Michael Russell was fouled, Jack Lanigan lashed the penalty to the Ballina net to set up a hectic finish (2-20 to 3-13).

In a tense climax, Power and Lanigan twice exchanged points before Lanigan landed another Sarsfields point in the 63rd minute.

Ballina backs were to the wall, but they showed great composure in absorbing the Sarsfields challenge to get over the line with three points to spare.

This win over opponents who have figured in the shake up for honours at this level for the past few years, should do wonders for Ballina confidence as they face into the quarter finals. Their main concern will be the concession of the three goals, and it could have been five, so there is work to be done there.

In wingback, David Kelly they had the man of the match, his reading of the game, tackling and distribution being from the top drawer. Beside him, Michael Breen anchored the defence effectively, his experience and leadership clearly in evidence.

Matthew Power’s free-taking was another crucial factor in their win as were the displays of Charlie King, Terry O’Halloran, and Jack Collins.

Despite heavy losses to their senior squad, Thurles Sarsfields have stayed competitive at this level, in itself an achievement in a very keen championship, but the losses did take their toll and were compounded by the injury to Jack Derby early in the second half.

Jack Lanigan was Sarsfields key man with Jack O’Mara outstanding at fullback, and Aidan Stakelum, Rory Purcell, David Corbett and Michael O’Brien also prominent.

Player of the Match: David Kelly (Ballina)

Ballina: Simon Grace (6); Paul McKeogh (6), Zak Egan (6), David Coughlan (6); David Kelly (9), Michael Breen (8), Terry O’Halloran (7); Thomas Shanahan (1-1, 6), Jack Collins (1-3, 7); Charlie King (0-4, 7), Billy Collins (6), Eoghan Power (0-1, 6); Josh Egan (6), Steven O’Brien (0-1, 6), Matthew Power (0-12f, 7).

Subs: Cathal O’Donnell (6) for McKeogh (28); Paddy Bradley (6) for Shanahan (50); Brian Bourke (NR) for O’Brien (60+1).

Thurles Sarsfields: Kevin Bracken (6); Kieran Moloney (6), Jack O’Mara (7), Aidan Ryan (6); James Armstrong (6), David Corbett (7), Jack Derby (6); Daniel Rossiter (6), Michael Purcell (6); Mossie McCormack (6), Aidan Stakelum (1-1, 7), Cillian Minogue (6); Michael O’Brien (1-1, 6), Rory Purcell (0-2, 7), Jack Lanigan (1-12, 1-0 pen, 0-8f, 7).

Subs: Paul Noonan (6) for Derby (35 inj); Fionn Fogarty (6) for Ryan (43); Conor Lanigan (6) for Rossiter (48); Michael Russell (6) for McCormack (48).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle).