Late scoring surge sends St Mary's into Premier Intermediate decider
Thurles Sarsfields and St Mary’s played out an exciting semi-final in FBD Semple Stadium
FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final
St Mary’s Clonmel 2-22
Thurles Sarsfields 1-17
A physically stronger St Mary’s Clonmel turned up the heat in the closing quarter for a comfortable eight-point win over Thurles Sarsfields in the FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling semi-final at Semple Stadium on Sunday.
The South champions will face divisional rivals Killenaule in the final.
Things are really going well for St Mary’s this year. Already crowned South senior champions, and with their minor hurlers also in the county final, confidence is high in the club, who are fancied by many to claim both county titles.
Several of the squad are also involved with Clonmel Commercials, the bookies’ favourites to win the county senior football title.
In the round-robin series of the county championship, St Mary’s had already registered a win over the Thurles side and, while they were hot favourites to repeat the process, Sarsfields stayed with them much of the way.
The loss through injury after twenty-four minutes of former county star and driving force Michael Cahill was a huge blow to Sarsfields, though not, it should be said, the deciding factor in this game.
St Mary’s got the best possible start when Cathal Deely netted for them directly from the throw-in. They looked full of energy and by the eighth minute were 1-4 to 0-2 clear.
With Tommy Doyle and Jack Lanigan leading the charge, and Pa Bourke hitting two points also, Sarsfields drew level, 0-9 to 1-6, after nineteen minutes.
Tommy Doyle put them ahead a minute later, but points by Seamus Kennedy and the impressive Sammy Ryan had Mary’s back in front before the departure of the injured Michael Cahill.
At half-time, St Mary’s led 1-10 to 0-12, but Sarsfields were very much in the game. Ruairi Leahy came on at half-time for St Mary’s and quickly made an impact with two points, to which Sammy Ryan added another.
Sarsfields were hanging in, Jack Lanigan pointing, and Mary’s had a Leahy goal disallowed after five minutes for an infringement of the square.
Sarsfields took full advantage, Seanie Butler netting after good work by Jack Lanigan and Pa Bourke to level at 1-13 each after thirty-seven minutes. From then on, though, St Mary’s got on top.
They outpointed Sarsfields seven to four to be 1-20 to 1-17 ahead with five minutes to play. They set the seal on their win with a Thomas Charles goal after fifty-eight minutes, Peter McGarry then pointing a free to swell their advantage to eight points at the final whistle.
No question, St Mary’s were the better team. Their defence in particular out-muscled a lightish Thurles attack, but they also had the ability to pick off their scores.
Seamus Kennedy was an influential leader at the heart of the defence, with Liam Ryan also doing well at full-back. Sammy Ryan got through a lot of work at midfield, while in attack Cathal Deely, Sean Kennedy and Aaron Cagney presented the greatest threat. Peter McGarry contributed five points from frees.
To have their second team reach the county semi-final in this competitive grade speaks volumes for the depth of talent in the Sarsfields club.
Though Jack O’Mara, who replaced him, had a fine game, Michael Cahill’s leadership was greatly missed, particularly in the second half when the real pressure was on.
They won the Mid title, a considerable achievement in itself, and a fitting reward for their efforts during the year. Jack Lanigan’s accuracy from placed balls was crucial to their challenge.
Tommy Doyle had a big game too, as did Kieran Costello, Kieran Moloney, Cathal Moloney, David Corbett and Liam McCormack.
Scorers: St Mary’s: Cathal Deely 1-2, Peter McGarry 0-5f, Thomas Charles 1-0, Aaron Cagney, Sean Kennedy, Sammy Ryan 0-3 each, Ruairi Leahy, Seamus Kennedy 0-2 each, Harry Lawlor 0-1, Enda Dunphy 0-1f.
Thurles Sarsfields: Jack Lanigan (0-6, 0-5f), Tommy Doyle 0-4, Liam McCormack 0-3, Seanie Butler 1-0, Pa Bourke, Cathal Moloney 0-2 each.
St Mary’s: Enda Dunphy; Richie Gunn, Liam Ryan, Darragh O’Connor; Tadhg Sheehan, Seamus Kennedy, James Morris; Tadhg Condon, Sammy Ryan; Aaron Cagney, Peter McGarry, Sean Kennedy; Harry Lawlor, Cathal Deely, Joe Higgins.
Subs used: Ruairi Leahy for Higgins (HT); Thomas Charles for O’Connor (37); Ross Peters for Sean Kennedy (48); Ross Slattery for Ryan (52); Conor Deely for Lawlor (58).
Thurles Sarsfields: Michael McCormack; Fionn Fogarty, Seosamh Ryan, Kieran Moloney; Michael Purcell, Michael Cahill, Kieran Costello; David Corbett, Cathal Moloney; Tommy Doyle, Jack Lanigan, Darragh Minogue; Cillian Minogue, Pa Bourke, Liam McCormack.
Subs used: Jack O’Mara for Cahill (24); Seanie Butler for D Minogue (35); Harry Fitzgibbon for Purcell (42); Rory Purcell for C Minogue (47); Conor Lanigan for Bourke (53).
Referee: Cian Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty)