Thurles Sarsfields thrash Solohead in one-sided encounter to set up county final tilt

FBD Insurance Junior B Hurling Championship Semi-Final 

Thurles Sarsfields 3-27 

Solohead 1-10

By Mike McCarthy

Thurles Sarsfields led from start to finish to clinch a spot in the 2025 county final. In a repeat of the 2022 decider, the mid champions once again came out on top.

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Within the first ten seconds, Sarsfields were on the board. John Maher won the throw-in, and David Kehoe found himself all alone to open the scoring. Lar Corbett, who was a late replacement, was causing consternation in the Solohead backline with his movement, and the space created enabled Cian Treacy to double the lead in two minutes.

Thurles continued their onslaught, and two goals in two minutes had the West champions chasing their tail. Mark Lanigan scored Thurles Sarsfields' first before the impressive John Joe O'Brien in the Solohead goals saved a penalty from Dylan Burke, but Cian Treacy was quickest to the rebound. 

A minute later, Lanigan pointed, and Sarsfields had a commanding 2-3 to no score lead after five minutes of play.

It did not ease up for Solohead, and a further 1-1 from Willie Tierney and a Dylan Burke goal had Thurles in an unassailable lead. James Dee was doing his best to stem the tide for Solohead, and he opened the West club’s account in 11 minutes and followed up with a placed ball a minute later. 

John Maher and Tristan Stokes swapped points before three points in as many minutes from Thurles quenched any talk of a Solohead comeback. The rest of the half played out in the same vein, and Thurles Sars went in at the break 3-14 to 0-6 ahead.

Dylan Burke opened the scoring from a free thirty seconds into the second period before a brief period of dominance for Solohead saw them score three points in a row through the Dees, James and Stephen. It was short-lived, however, and Thurles exerted its dominance with Burke, Treacy and Lanigan to the fore.

Solohead gave their supporters something to cheer for when a long-range Jack Redican free went to the net, possibly with a touch from Paul Ryan on 56 minutes, but it was little consolation as Thurles ran out 23-point winners.

Johnjoe O’Brien could not be faulted in the Solohead goal, saving a penalty in the first half and a point-blank Dylan Burke effort in the second. Brendan Collins tried hardest in defence, while Stephen and especially James Dee took the fight to Thurles Sarsfields at every opportunity.

For the victors, they had stars all over the field. Their defence was tight, with Urban Nolan picking up man-marking duties on Stephen Dee. John Maher was the pick of the midfielders, while Cian Treacy, Dylan Burke and Mark Lanigan were the pick of a forward unit who were scoring at will.

Ger O’Grady’s charges will now take on North champions Silvermines in the county final.

Thurles Sarsfields: Jamie Stapleton; Ciaran Woodlock, Paddy Carroll, James Lloyd; Bill Darcy, Lar Corbett (0-1), Urban Nolan; John Maher (0-1), Paddy Stakelum; Cathal McElgunn (0-2), Willie Tierney (0-1), Mark Lanigan (1-3); Cian Treacy (1-6), Dylan Burke (1-11, 0-5f), David Kehoe (0-2). 

Subs used: Thomas Fogarty; David Bourke; Kieran Purcell; Barry McCormack; Peter Wall. 

Solohead: John Joe O’Brien; Christopher O’Connor, Edward Nolan, Noel Kennedy; Brian Gavin, Brendan Collins, Jack Redican; James Dee (0-7,0-4f), Denis O’Shea; Tristan Stokes (0-1), Stephen Dee (0-1), Paul Ryan(1-0); Declan Riordan, Anthony Owens, Philip O’Doherty.

Subs used. Kevin Ryan; Eoin Riordan; Colin Allen; Damien Ryan (0-1); Faolán Doyle. 

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)

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