Late Boherlahan Dualla comeback falls short against resilient Sarsfields

Doran Oil Mid Premier Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final

Thurles Sarsfields  1-17

Boherlahan Dualla  0-18

By Ronan Loughnane 

Thurles Sarsfields advanced to the Premier Intermediate Mid final after a hard-fought battle with newly promoted Boherlahan Dualla. Leading by ten points at the end of a wind-assisted first half, last year's beaten County finalists appeared to be well in control but the 2023 Intermediate County champions had different ideas and almost caught the Blues at the death. 

The strong wind blew down to the bottom end and Sarsfields took full advantage right from the off. Keith Loughnane (2) and Conor Lanigan were all quickly on target before Boherlahan’s star man, Tomas Ryan, opened his account following excellent work from the Ryan brothers, Charlie and Euan. 

Lanigan, Tommy Maher (2), Jack O’Mara, and Harry Fitzgibbon all pointed to move Sars onto eight points at the end of the opening quarter. Ryan and Seamus Leahy replied for Boherlahan to keep them in touch. The game's only goal arrived in the 17th minute when Tommy Maher latched on to a loose ball 80 yards from goal and soloed right through to the 21 before finishing to the bottom corner past a hapless Darragh Lacey. 

Further good work from O’Mara set up Fitzgibbon for his second point before Loughnane added another free. Ryan stopped the rot for Boherlahan with a pointed free but the Sars onslaught continued with points from Michael O’Brien and Rory Purcell. 

Crucially Boherlahan got a slight foothold just before the break and landed three of the last five points, all from the stick of Ryan who was in flying form. Michael O’Brien had come to life and he landed Sars final two points of the half as they retired 1-14 to 0-7 ahead. 

Despite turning to play with the wind there was little indication based on their first half showing that Boherlahan might reel in the Sars. The third quarter fare did even less to change that opinion. 

Ryan added three more but he was in dire need of assistance upfront as he had now contributed nine of their ten points. The Sars attack had ground to a halt also and they had to wait until the 45th minute for their opening score of the second half. 

By now Sars' half-time lead of ten had only been reduced by two and with Boherlahan persisting with a sweeper, Aidan Ryan was left free for Sars and he mopped up an amount of ball. Boherlahan played their best hurling in the final quarter and Ryan added four points (3 frees) in as many minutes to halve the lead as the Boherlahan voices in the poor attendance grew louder. Loughnane stopped the rot with a free in the 56th minute before that much-needed assistance for Ryan finally arrived. 

Captain Mark Downey and Ryan added one apiece to leave just a goal between them (1-16 to 0-16) after 58 minutes. Another Loughnane free gave Sars breathing room before Leahy and Downey both pointed from play. Six minutes of injury time failed to trouble the scoreboard as the Sars held on by their fingernails to advance to a final meeting with Upperchurch Drombane. 

The Sars attack flowed beautifully in the opening half but a single point from play after the break will be of concern. Jack O’Mara, Aidan Ryan, and captain Tommy Doyle were all solid in defence as was Kevin Bracken between the sticks. 

The hard-working Tommy Maher was always prominent at midfield while all the forwards had their moments in the opening half. Boherlahan will be pleased with the spirited nature of their performance but they will need more scoring power in attack where they sorely missed the services of the injured Darragh Hickey. Tomas Ryan had an excellent outing contributing 0-14 points while Charlie Ryan, Dylan Fogarty, Euan Ryan, Seamus Leahy, and Mark Downey fared best. 

Thurles Sarsfields: Kevin Bracken; Kieran Moloney, Pa Dunne, Jack O’Mara (0-1); Tommy Doyle (C), Aidan Ryan, Kieran Costello; Tommy Maher (1-2, 0-2f), Daniel Rossiter; Michael Russell, Harry Fitzgibbon (0-2), Rory Purcell (0-1); Michael O’Brien (0-3), Conor Lanigan (0-2), Keith Loughnane (0-6, 0-4f). 

Boherlahan Dualla: Darragh Lacey; Charlie Ryan, Tomas Bourke, Johnny Ryan; Dylan Fogarty, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Ger O’Dwyer; Euan Ryan, Cathal D’Arcy; Laurence Devane, Fionn McCullagh, Tomas Ryan (0-14, 0-9f); Jake Canny, Mark Downey (0-2), Seamus Leahy (0-2). 

Subs used: Niall O’Dwyer for McCullagh (41); David Clarke for Canny (47).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens)