Drom & Inch upset the odds to down fancied Thurles Sarsfields in Mid U21A hurling decider

Donal & Rose Younge Mid U21A Hurling Championship Final

Drom & Inch 1-21

Thurles Sarsfields 3-13

By Michael Dundon

Despite being seven points down in as many minutes, Drom-Inch recovered in great style to claim the Donal and Rose Younge Mid U21A hurling title at the expense of holders Thurles Sarsfields in a fine contest at Templetuohy on Sunday last.

A raw, cold morning and a heavy pitch did not prevent these sides from producing a splendid encounter in which Drom’s greater appetite for the physicality of the exchanges, always likely in the conditions, gave them enough of an edge to get them over the line.

It looked ominous for them at the start. Sarsfields were quickly into their stride whipping over three points in four minutes and when Robbie Stapleton received from Jock Fogarty to calmly strike to the net, the Thurles lads were flying. Fogarty added a Sarsfields point to extend their advantage with Drom yet to raise a flag.

Tony Cahill opened Drom’s account in the ninth minute and from there to the break they were the better team, corner forward Cormac Fitzpatrick in particular inflicting serious damage. He was to finish the day with 1-14 to his credit, 1-7 from play, in a masterclass in the art of score taking.

After Cahill’s opener, Paudie Kinane was denied a possible goal by a smart save from Aidan Stakelum in the Sarsfields goal, and with Tommy Maher accurate from placed balls for Sarsfields, the holders reached the break with a 1-10 to 0-9 lead but Drom would have the help of the fresh breeze in the second half.

Drom resumed smartly and outscored Sarsfields three to two in the opening six minutes but then Paddy Creedon created the opening for Daniel Rossiter to score a Sarsfields goal for a 2-11 to 0-12 lead. 

Drom did not falter and over the next 11 minutes Fitzpatrick notched five points to Maher’s sole reply for Sarsfields but the decisive score came in the 52nd minute when Maidhc Fitzpatrick set up his brother Cormac for a Drom-Inch goal and the lead for the first time, 1-17 to 2-12.

With confidence soaring, the winners’ advantage was quickly stretched with further points from Cormac Fitzpatrick and Paudie Kinane (2). Sarsfields responded like champions but Urban Nolan’s effort for a goal was stopped by Diarmuid Brennan in the Drom goal in the 56th minute. Tommy Maher pointed and two other point chances went astray as Sarsfields sought to regain the ground lost.

The goal Sarsfields needed came too late, James Armstrong’s lobbed free in the 65th minute somehow getting over the Drom line but it was of no consequence. Drom were the champions and deserving winners with their sights now firmly on the county stages of the competition.

Drom’s reflection on the final will provoke mixed emotions. Great and justifiable admiration for the recovery after the terrible start will be tempered by concern at how that happened and they have food there for thought before their next outing. Having lost the football equivalent in the Mid this will more than compensate this group of Drom players

Cormac Fitzpatrick was the winners’ man of the match by the proverbial mile. His 1-14 contribution was immense and he looks a real find for their senior sides of the future. John Campion was a commanding figure further back the field with  Jack Ryan, Eoghan Kennedy, Darragh Kennedy, Tony Cahill Maidhc Fitzpatrick, and Paudie Kinane others to make an impact.

The last quarter failure of Sarsfields was unlike them as they registered only one point in that period apart from James Armstrong’s late-late goal. They failed to match the physicality of their opponents and while they can point to opportunities missed in general they can have no complaints about the outcome. 

They got every chance but did not make the most of them.  James Armstrong, Henry Fogarty, Jock Fogarty, and Darragh Stakelum all worked hard. Tommy Maher’s free-taking was also significant while in flashes Paddy Creedon and Robbie Stapleton were a threat.

Drom & Inch: Diarmuid Brennan; Eoghan Kennedy, Jack Ryan, Jack Johnson; Jimmy Mullen, John Campion (0-1), Paul Mullen; Tony Cahill (0-2), Darragh Kennedy; Jim Bob Kennedy, Maidhc Fitzpatrick (0-1), Brian Moore (0-1); Cormac Fitzpatrick (1-14, 0-7f), Jack Lillis, Paudie Kinane (0-2).

Subs used: Cormac Cahill for J B Kennedy (41); TJ Kinane for J Mullen (58).

Thurles Sarsfields: Aidan Stakelum; Emmet Fogarty, Jack O’Mara, Ciaran Woodlock; Henry Fogarty, James Armstrong (1-0), Conor Fogarty; Tommy Maher (0-8f), Urban Nolan; Liam McCormack (0-1), Darragh Stakelum (0-1), Robbie Stapleton (1-0); Daniel Rossiter (1-1), Jock Fogarty (0-1), Paddy Creedon (0-1).

Subs used: Paul Noonan for C  Fogarty (44); Aidan Butler for Nolan (61).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne Templetuohy)