Thurles lose out in Battle of the Sarsfields in Junior B All Ireland semi final

Junior B Series All Ireland Semi Final

Thurles Sarsfields 1-16

Sarsfields (Galway) 2-20

Thurles Sarsfields bid for a second All-Ireland Junior B hurling title came up short at Raheenagh (Limerick) on Sunday when they suffered a seven points defeat at the hands of their Galway namesakes, who now go on to play Bruff of Limerick in the final.

A brave effort by the Thurles lads faded in the closing stages as the Galway men took charge to outscore their rivals 1-8 to 0-4 in the final twenty minutes, and they had their place in the decider well secured before referee Eamon Stapleton called time.

For forty minutes Sarsfields were very much in the frame. They faced the breeze in the first half and with David Bourke and Cian Treacy showing the way, shared six points with their rivals in a lively opening ten minutes.

Then Galway began to get the upper hand and by the 20th minute they were 0-9 to 0-4 clear with their confidence soaring. It could have been more but five misdirected efforts by them in that period kept Thurles in touch.

And the Thurles lads got a great boost a minute later when Alex Moloney and David Bourke combined to set up Barry McCormack for a goal that left them just two points adrift, 1-4 to 0-9.

Their joy was short-lived however, as a minute later a Cian O'Regan ball for Galway somehow eluded Myles Fitzgerald, the Thurles goalie, to end up in the net. Thurles responded well to the setback, points by Cian Treacy (2) Alex Moloney and David Bourke in injury time leaving them trailing by just two points at the break, 1-8 to 1-10. Thurles lost Rory Fogarty to injury after 20 minutes, Conor Wall taking his place.

With the breeze to favour them in the second half Thurles were well-placed to make the final for the first time since their 2017 success and, immediately on resuming, Cathal McElgunn and Ger O'Grady reeled off points to level. The stage was set for them to push on to victory but the Galway lads were not giving ground easily and by the three quarters mark were 1-15 to 1-12 ahead.

The longer it went on the stronger Galway were getting through a brace of points from Mark Purcell kept Thurles in contact. The crucial score came six minutes from time when Jordan McMahon blasted home for Galway for a 2-18 to 1-15 lead which was quickly extended by another McMahon point.

Thurles needed a goal to revive them but, after Cathal McElgun was fouled, Barry McCormack was off target with the 20m free, and in injury time John Lawlor had a similar effort saved before Kerril wade rounded off a splendid Galway performance with a late point.

Disappointment then for the Tipp champions who have the considerable consolation of Mid and County titles for their year’s effort. They could have no argument with the outcome here as the better team won and will be fancied to progress to All-Ireland honours also when they encounter Bruff who defeated St Martin’s of Kilkenny in the other semi-final.

Full marks to the Thurles lads however for a brave effort to conclude a great campaign that had many big moments. They could not be faulted for endeavour, the excellence of Paddy Carroll, Mikey Stakelum, Peter Maher, Alex Moloney, Cian Treacy and David Bourke spearheading their challenge for a place in the All-Ireland final.

Galway had the Man of the Match in Liam Michael Kelly but Jack Morrissey, Kerrill Wade, Sean Kelly, and sub Jordan McMahon also had a big influence on the game.

Thurles Sarsfields: Myles Fitzgerald; Stephen Mawe, Mikey Stakelum, Peter Maher; Jack O’Connell, Paddy Carroll, Conor Stapleton; Alex Moloney (0-1), Paddy Stakelum (0-1); Rory Fogarty, Cian Treacy (0-5), David Keogh (0-1); Barry McCormack (1-1), Ger O Grady (0-1), David Bourke (0-3).

Subs: Conor Wall, Cathal McElgunn (0-1) , Mark Purcell (0-2), John Lawlor.

Sarsfields: Oisin Cooney; Sean O’Neill Joe Burke, Eddie Earls; Cathal Ward, Jack Morrissey, Niall Dwyer; Cian O’Regan (1-0), Kieran Kelly; Liam Michael Kelly (0-6), Eanna Doolan, Sean Kelly (0-1); O Maher (0-1); Kerril Wade (0-10), Garry Kenny Kelly (0-1).

Subs: Jordan McMahon (1-2), Michael Keogh, Kevin Ward, Jack Moran, Conor Keane.

Referee: Eddie Stapleton (Limerick)