Late Sarsfields surge means Upperchurch Drombane's wait for Mid title goes on

Centenary Agri Mid Tipperary Hurling Championship Final

Thurles Sarsfields 0-18

Upperchurch Drombane 0-16

By Michael Dundon

Three late points from Sarsfields, two in injury time, carried them through to the club’s 47th Centenary Agri Mid senior hurling title at rainy Littleton on Sunday as Upperchurch Drombane came up just short once more in their bid for a first win.

The Church have been knocking on the door for the past few years but, despite the promise they have shown and continue to show, the breakthrough continues to elude them.

They certainly had their chance of an initial success in this game against a Sarsfields team that was not at its best, but when the chips were down, Sarsfields greater experience of these tight situations saw them over the line.

Having beaten Loughmore Castleiney in the semi-final Upperchurch Drombane were justifiably optimistic about their chances.
They had beaten Sarsfields last year and were in no way over-awed by their opponents as was clearly seen in their strong first half showing, but they must have had misgivings when they reached the break with just a two points advantage having enjoyed much the better of the play in the first half.

Credit Sarsfield's defence, with Ronan Maher imperious, who absorbed the pressure on them in a disciplined and effective manner conceding just three points from play in the first half, and even though they were less fluent than usual, Sarsfields scores came with a lot less difficulty, five of their side registering scores from play.

The Church hit the ground running and had four points on the board through Mikey Griffin, Gavin Ryan (free), Padraig Greene (free) and Luke Shanahan after ten minutes with Sarsfields still to raise a flag.

Conditions were difficult, with a slippery surface and a greasy ball causing handling and striking problems on both sides.
Upperchurch might have had a goal after eight minutes but veteran goalie Patrick McCormack turned away Greene’s drive for a green flag.

Sarsfields settled and in typical fashion reeled off four points in five minutes from Eoin Purcell, David Corbett, Aidan McCormack and Cian Stakelum to level at 0-4 each after the first quarter.

Upperchurch didn’t quaver and hit back with three points of their own in the next four minutes, Greene (2) and Aaron Ryan, and with the game going into added time they were four clear but Sarsfields finished with a brace of points from Aidan McCormack and Darragh Stakelum to be just two adrift at the interval, 0-10 to 0-8.

The game was very much in the balance, the question being which side could raise the intensity of their efforts in the second half. Sarsfields response was emphatic, three points in five minutes on resuming to hit the front.

The Thurles lads were doing better in this half but Upperchurch were also picking off scores and the sides were level five times before, in the 58th minute, Com Ryan nudged Upperchurch ahead once more. The finishing line was in sight but Upperchurch could reach it with their noses in front.

Paddy Creedon signalled his presence with a levelling point in the 59th minute. Three minutes later Aidan McCormack pointed a free for the lead for Sarsfields.

Upperchurch had a chance to level but Padraig Greene’s effort tailed off and from the puck out Conor Stakelum whipped over another Sarsfields point to leave them two ahead when substitute referee Seamus Delaney called time.(The JK Brackens referee had taken over the whistle from Sean Everard, who had to retire following an injury at the three quarter stage.)

The life-line this win gives Sarsfields, with a guaranteed preliminary quarter-final spot in the county championship which gets underway next week-end against Kiladangan, added to the significance of this success as Manager Padraig Maher seeks to develop a side to reclaim the Dan Breen Cup.

There were a lot of errors on both sides, handling and striking, but due allowance has to be made for the conditions. Sarsfields will be glad to have seen off formidable opponents and will be hoping for a better performance next time out.

Joint captain Ronan Maher was a commanding figure at the heart of their defence and was rightly named the Man of the Match, following another whole-hearted performance. Michael Purcell was not far behind, with Stephen Cahill, Conor Stakelum, Stephen Maher, Eoin Purcell and Darragh Stakelum others to make their mark, while Patrick McCormack’s early save gained in importance as the game progressed.

One cannot but have sympathy for Upperchurch Drombane whose day cannot be far off. This Church outfit is comfortable scrapping with the top sides and it would not have taken a lot to tip the scales in their favour here.

They defended resolutely with Keith Ryan outstanding, ably abetted by Gerard Grant, and Gavin Ryan. Aaron Ryan had another storming game for them at midfield but the attack did not function as in the Loughmore game, Padraig Greene being a notable exception with Luke Shanahan also showing up well at times.

They will take encouragement from this outing, however, as they face Holycross Ballycahill in the county championship next weekend.

Thurles Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack; Seosamh Ryan, David Corbett (0-1), Stephen Maher; Jack Derby, Ronan Maher (0-1f); Michael Purcell (0-1); Stephen Cahill, Cian Stakelum (0-1); Cathal Moloney, Conor Stakelum (0-3), Billy McCarthy; Darragh Stakelum (0-2), Eoin Purcell (0-2), Aidan McCormack (0-7, 0-6f).

Subs used: Denis Maher for Derby (41); Paddy Creedon for Moloney (45); Tommy Doyle for Cian Stakelum (53); Conor Lanigan for Corbett (55).

Upperchurch Drombane: Ciaran Shortt; Michael Lavery, Gerard Grant, A J Shanahan; Keith Ryan, Gavin Ryan (0-3f), Ailbe O Donoghue; Aaron Ryan (0-3), Paddy Phelan; Jack Butler, Colm Ryan (0-1), Mikey Griffin (0-1); Luke Shanahan(0-1), Paul Shanahan, Padraig Greene (0-7, 0-6f).

Subs used: Dean Carew for Griffin (40).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne Templetuohy)