Co Tipperary IHF: Incredible Thurles Sars' make history to capture first title

Thurles Sarsfields 1-16

Cashel King Cormacks 0-16

A second half comeback from Thurles Sarsfields saw them capture their first ever Tipperary intermediate hurling title when at Holycross this afternoon they scuppered Cashel King Cormacks attempts to claim the Jacksie Ryan Cup.

A victory which did not seem at all likely at the break, Sarsfields had a Kevin Dunne goal in the 19th minute of the second half after he was set up by Mossie McCormack, and that proved to be the difference between the sides.

That this is Sarsfields second team adds hugely to the significance of the achievement. The seniors had used 26 players during their campaign, but the intermediate side battled against the odds all season long to come good at the very death.

They trailed by 0-11 to 0-5 at the break and Cashel King Cormacks seemed to have all the answers with Eoghan Connolly, Simon Delaney, Michael Coleman and Conn Bonnar hurling very well. In fact, their lead could have been more substantial and there appeared to be no way back for Sarsfields.

A few positional switches did the job though and when Dunne goalled and wing back Seosamh Ryan fired over a magnificent point, the tide had turned in favour of the Blues. The experienced Richie Ruth and Conor Lanigan came good for scores and though Cashel came back at them strong in search of an equalising goal, they were unable to penetrate the rearguard marshalled so well by captain Aidan Ryan.

The celebrations on the field at the final whistle showed exactly what this title meant to Thurles Sarsfields. They had lost three finals in recent times and this victory was feted as well as any of their 36 senior crowns.

Cashel go forward to represent Tipperary in the Munster Club championship and they must pick themselves up for that as  their season continues. They have also been promoted to the Seamus O Riain Cup championship for 2019.