Thurles Sarsfields edge high-quality semi-final to qualify for Mid U21 hurling decider

Revel at The Ragg Mid U21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 2-28

Boherlahan Dualla 3-17

By Michael Dundon

Six points without reply in the last ten minutes clinched Sarsfields’ place in the Revel at the Ragg Mid U21 A hurling final following a lively encounter with Boherlahan Dualla at the MIC grounds, Thurles, on Sunday morning.

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Favourites going into the game, Sarsfields’ concession of three first-half goals left them with a lot of work to do against a very capable Boherlahan Dualla side that were always in the hunt but who faded in the closing stages.

When Sarsfields chalked up four points without reply in the first four minutes, it looked as though they would romp home easy winners, but Paddy Gahan’s goal for Boherlahan off a high delivery in the eighth minute got them going. Robbie Darcy and Charlie Ryan added quick points to trail by just a point (0-7 to 1-3) at the end of the first quarter.

Aidan Stakelum’s goal for Sarsfields after nineteen minutes re-established their edge, but three minutes later, after another long ball into the Thurles defence was not dealt with, Paddy Gahan bagged his second to bring the sides level, 1-8 to 2-5. 

Charlie Ryan’s goal for Boherlahan put them 3-7 to 1-11 ahead approaching the break, but Sarsfields had points from Leelan Donoghue and Tommy Maher to tie the game at the break, 1-13 to 3-7.

It was lively stuff to keep a fine gathering royally entertained, and so it continued after the break, with Sarsfields hitting a point by Darragh Minogue and a goal from Leelan Donoghue inside two minutes. Dylan Fogarty landed two frees for Boherlahan to keep them in touch, but by the 40th minute, Sarsfields had moved 2-18 to 3-10 clear and looked to be safely on track.

Back came Boherlahan. Points from Charlie Ryan, Dylan Fogarty, Ger O'Dwyer and Cormac Gleeson brought them within a point of their rivals, 2-18 to 3-14, and by the three-quarter stage, the sides were level after points from Jake Canny and Cormac Gleeson for Boherlahan (2-19 to 3-16).

Every time Boherlahan closed the gap, Sarsfields produced a response, and now they had four points from Tommy Maher frees to a Ger O'Dwyer reply for Boherlahan to push ahead once more, 2-23 to 3-17, with ten minutes to go. This time, there was no recovery by Boherlahan as the Thurles lads finished with a six-point flourish. 

Boherlahan had a chance to cut the deficit when awarded a penalty in injury time, but Sarsfields' goalie Michael McCormack got down smartly to deflect Ger O'Dwyer’s drive to safety.

The win sets up the expected final clash between Sarsfields and holders Holycross Ballycahill, an exciting prospect. Sarsfields will have concerns about how they conceded the three first half goals, but will take encouragement from how they responded, and will be particularly impressed with the tally of 2-28 from nine different scorers. 

Stephen Dwan, Euan Murray, Leelan Donoghue, Aidan Stakelum and the Minogue brothers were key figures in this victory.

Boherlahan contributed handsomely to a fine contest but came up a little short. The display augurs well for the future of the club at adult level, with Ger O'Dwyer, Charlie Ryan, Paddy Gahan, Robbie Darcy and Ryne Bargary leading by example.

Scorers: Thurles Sarsfields: Tommy Maher (0-10, 0-7f), Aidan Stakelum, Leelan Donoghue 1-2  each, Darragh Minogue 0-4, Robbie Stapleton, Cillian Minogue 0-3 each, Euan Murray, Daniel Rossiter, Kieran Rossiter all 0-1 each. 

Boherlahan Dualla: Paddy Gahan 2-0, Charlie Ryan 1-3, Ger O’Dwyer (0-4, 0-3f), Dylan Fogarty (0-3f), Cormac Gleeson, Robbie Darcy 0-2 each, Jake Canny, Conor Fogarty, Ben Kirby all 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields: Michael McCormack; Paul Noonan, Keith Loughnane, Fionn Fogarty; Philly Hayes, Euan Murray, Stephen Dwan; Daniel Rossiter, Robbie Stapleton; Darragh Minogue, Leelan Donoghue, Tommy Maher; Cillian Minogue, Aidan Stakelum, Alex Coppinger.

Subs used: Kieran Rossiter; Ronan O’Brien; Ciaran Woodlock; Evan Nolan.

Boherlahan Dualla: Kieran O’Neill; Conor Kennedy, Ross Darcy, Bobby Power; Eugene O’Dwyer, Ger O'Dwyer, Charlie Ryan; Jake Canny, Ryne Bargary; Cormac Gleeson, Paddy Gahan, Robbie Darcy; Conor Fogarty, Dylan Fogarty, Ben Kirby.

Subs used: Aaron Toomey; Brian Gleeson; Sean Bourke.

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)

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