U21 hurling tournament semi-final round up as Sarsfields and Mullinahone enter A final

The County Tipperary U21 Hurling Tournament got underway last weekend, with three semi-final clashes taking place over the course of the weekend.

One game was postponed due to inclement weather as Burgess and Killenaule’s match up will have to wait until next weekend because of a waterlogged pitch in Borris-Ileigh.

But plenty of good action took place in the games that were played, firstly on Saturday with the clash of Thurles Sarsfields and Cashel King Cormacs in the first A semi-final.

COUNTY U21A HURLING TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINALS

Thurles Sarsfieds 0-15

Cashel King Cormacs 0-13

Played in Dundrum, early points from Jack Lanigan and Eoin Purcell gave Sarsfields the early impetus as they flew into a 0-4 lead after just five minutes, but a Devon Ryan free for the Cashel opener a few minutes later settled the West champions into their stride.

The dry conditions were giving the players the chance to play some really good stuff in the first half, and Cashel were well served as the half went on from Jack McGrath who hit some lovely points from play, along with Cathal Quinn who's powerful running was proving tough to curtail from a Thurles point of view.

But the mid champions were keeping in touch, and only trailed by the minimum thanks to a brace of points from the pacey Liam McCormack, while Paddy Creedon chipped in with his only score of the day as the Cashel went in at the break ahead 0-9 to 0-8.

The second half was less free flowing as the intensity went up a level from both sides, and even though James Armstrong levelled the game after five minutes of the restart, Cashel led at the three quarter mark of the game, as Devon Ryan pointed twice (one from play) to maintain the narrow one point lead.

However, the final 15 minutes belonged the Sarsfields with Jack Lanigan coming to the fore for his team, bagging four in the final quarter, along with a well taken second of the day for Liam McCormack which gave Thurles the victory and with it, a place in the final next weekend.

Mullinahone 3-24

Cashel King Cormacs 2-23

The game of the weekend unfurled in the Fethard 4G pitch on Sunday afternoon, with a seesaw battle enthralling the big crowd in attendance.

Losers to Moycarkey-Borris in the under 20 final last year, C J Kickhams were slight favourites but played “catch-up” on the Borris lads for much of the first hour.

Eddie Ryan was in impeccable form from play and placed balls for Borris who led 0-10 to 0-7 at half-time, late points from Conor Whelan and Mikey O’Shea, both inspirational figures for Mullinahone, keeping the South champions within striking distance.

Kickhams resumed impressively hitting four points in five minutes, to lead but Borris came back well and Dan Ryan’s goal off an Eddie Ryan pass, put them 1-15 to 0-13 clear after 52 minutes.

Paddy McCormack flashed over a point immediately afterwards and it looked as though Borris were on course for victory.Borris got little time to celebrate as Mikey O'Shea scythed through their defence for a Mullinahone goal two minutes later to reduce the lead to 1-16 to 1-13.

Borris still kept their opponents at arm’s length until the 59th minute when Eoin O Dwyer’s goal brought Kickhams level. Eddie Ryan looked to have won for Borris with a pointed free in the 61st minute but a minute later Conor Whelan whipped over the leveller for  Mullinahone, sending the game to extra time, Borris 1-20; Mullinahone 2-17.

The resumption saw Mullinahone at their best as they racked up 1-4 without reply in 8 minutes, Pa Hayes getting their goal in the third minute off a Conor Whelan free. Struggling Borris were in big trouble but they rose gallantly to the challenge, Eddie Ryan pointing before Jack Fitzgerald netted in injury time of the half.

Mullinahone carried a 3-21 to 2-21 lead into the second half and it proved more than enough despite the best efforts of Borris to bridge the gap.

In fact Mullinahone won the last period 0-3 to 0-2, Eddie Ryan capping a fine individual display with both Borris points.

COUNTY U21A HURLING TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL

Upperchurch Drombane 2-15

Golden Kilfeacle 1-16

The unbelievable year that was 2022 for Upperhurch Drombane is spilling into the new year, as they clinched a place in the county tournament final after a narrow win over Golden Kilfeacle.

Played on a dry but yielding surface, this game was even enough throughout. The game was probably won and lost in a four minute period during the second quarter.

Two goals from Tom Purcell proved to be crucial scores for the mountain men, after twenty-one minutes was played, the game turned in favour of Upperchurch.

A long range free from Luke Shanahan dropped short and Purcell made no mistake, flicking to the back of the net. Two minutes later Purcell got in for goal number two, bursting his way past the tight defence, before beating Jack Currivan at the far end. 

A tit-for-tat battle ensued with Jack Leamy and Ben Currivan playing well but a late Pat Ryan free sealed a brilliant win for Upperchurch who must wait for the winner of the postponed semi-final.