Dominant Thurles Sarsfields ease their way to Cahill Cup final victory against JK Brackens

CM Signs Cahill Cup Final

Thurles Sarsfields 4-18

JK Brackens 0-18

By Michael Dundon

Former All-Star county hurler Padraic Maher delivered his first silverware as a manager  when Sarsfields  were clear-cut winners over J K Brackens in the Mid Tipp Cahill Cup senior hurling final at Holycross last week.

This was a “trap-to-line” win for the Thurles lads who stamped their authority on the exchanges from the very start and were never in any real danger of being denied the trophy they last held in 2014 by a J K Brackens side which fell well short of the form than brought them their first Mid senior hurling championship last year.

Both sides were short  some established players, Paddy Cadell and Michael Ormond most notably for Brackens while Sarsfields were without county panellists Ronan Maher, Conor Stakelum and Paddy Creedon , with Darragh Stakelum and Aidan McCormack also absent. In that situation, Sarsfields had much more reason to be happy with their night’s work which featured some slick passages of play but a share of errors also.

Sarsfields were 0-5 to 0-2 clear after 14 minutes when Liam McCormack benefitted from the good work of Cathal Moloney and Billy McCarthy to score their first goal. Brackens were relying heavily on team captain Lyndon Fairbrother for scores. They trailed 0-7 to 1-11 approaching half-time when Eoin Purcell finished Jock Fogarty’s delivery to the net and Sarsfields went in at the break 2-11 to 0-8 in front.

It was going to take a big Templemore effort in the second half to make up the leeway and with Lyndon Fairbrother still their only source of scores, they never “laid a glove” on the winners whose third goal came from Jack Lanigan after 48 minutes, again from a Jock Fogarty pass to pout them 3-14 to 0-14 clear.  Fogarty himself set the seal on the win with Sarsfields fourth goal after 57 minutes.

Having been eliminated from the county league at semi-final stage a week previously, this was a good response from Sarsfields who have been using these competitions to “blood” younger players who have been successful at under 20 and 21 level. 

They also welcome back Michael Cahill, Stephen Maher and Billy McCarthy who have had injury issues but a damper on the win was the injuries which forced Steven Cahill and Conor Lanigan off.

Sarsfields were dominating in most positions with Henry Fogarty, Stephen Maher, Denis Maher, Billy McCarthy, Jack Lanigan, Jock Fogarty, and Eoin Purcell to the fore.

It’s early days for J K Brackens yet but they have some work to do to get to the level they were at last year. 

Their attack posed no significant threat with the notable exception of Lyndon Fairbrother though Shane Doyle chipped in with a couple of points at the finish. Dean McEnroe worked very hard throughout with Cathal Scully, Martin Delaney, and Jordan Moloney, who shipped a heavy knock late on, others put in a big effort.

Thurles Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack; Seosamh Ryan, Denis Maher (0-1f), Stephen Maher; Henry Fogarty, James Armstrong, Michael Cahill; Steven Cahill (0-2), David Corbett (0-1); Billy McCarthy (0-3), Cathal Moloney, Liam McCormack (1-1); Eoin Purcell (1-2), Jack Lanigan (1-6, 0-6f), Jock Fogarty (1-1).

Subs: Tommy Doyle for S Cahill (23); Conor Lanigan for L McCormack (43); Harry Fitzgibbon for Purcell (43); Rory Purcell for C Lanigan (48); Paddy Stakelum for J Fogarty (58).

 JK Brackens: Jack Kennedy; Tom Murphy, Stephen Cahill  Martin Delaney; Luke Ormond, Cathal Scully, Jordan Moloney; Eoin Fitzpatrick, Martin Bergin; Darragh Doyle (0-1), Dean McEnroe, Diarmuid Delaney; David O’Shea, Shane Doyle (0-2), Lyndon Fairbrother (0-15, 0-11f). 

Subs: Adrian Bourke for Bergin (HT);  Eddie Bergin for Fitzpatrick (44); Mikey Delaney for O’Shea (48); Joe Bourke for Moloney (58).

Referee:  Johnny Butler (Upperchurch Drombane)