Murray leads the charge as Sarsfields storm to Mid Minor hurling crown

B&T Sports Mid Minor A Hurling Championship Final

Thurles Sarsfields 0-32

Gortnahoe Glengoole 2-12

Thurles Sarsfields collected their third Mid hurling title of the year when their Minor A hurlers proved far too strong for Gortnahoe Glengoole in the B&T Sports-sponsored final at The Ragg on Wednesday last.

Winners of the county title at U17 last year, Sarsfields were always going to be fancied to annex honours this year with the age limit raised to 18, and they duly obliged, streaking away from their rivals in the second half after the sides traded scores in a lively opening period.

Sarsfields had already beaten Gortnahoe Glengoole in the round-robin series and when they raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after six minutes, it looked as though they were going to cruise home. Gortnahoe Glengoole, however, dug in and were 0-11 to 0-7 behind when Aidan Bourke netted for them after seventeen minutes, quickly followed by a levelling point from Michael Campion.

Questions were being asked of Sarsfields and they again took control to go 0-15 to 1-10 ahead by the break. Sarsfields’ scoring potential was huge, with Euan Murray, David Ayilaran and Charlie Lawlor all on song in that period, while Eoin Webb was deadly accurate from frees.

Chris Dunne was the big threat in attack for Gortnahoe, though well-policed by Ciaran O’Mahoney. Ronan Gleeson, Eamon Hayden and Adam Norton were doing most to advance the Gortnahoe cause.

A rousing second half was in prospect but, with Euan Murray outstanding, Sarsfields scored twelve points without reply to lead 0-27 to 1-10 early in the final quarter. A Chris Dunne goal for Gortnahoe off a Darragh Heffernan pass stopped the rot, with Adam Norton whipping over two points to leave them 2-12 to 0-27 adrift with ten minutes to play.

There was no stopping Sarsfields, however, who finished with four Euan Murray points and another from Kieran Rossiter, their county underage stars leading their teammates by example to an emphatic win.

The merit of Sarsfields’ win was never in question. They held all the aces and even when Gortnahoe pressed, there was always the feeling that the Thurles boys had more in the tank. Euan Murray stole the show with a huge performance, but all round Sarsfields had quality, Charlie Lawlor, David Ayilaran, Pierce Cullen, Darragh Cornally, Kieran Rossiter, Ciaran O’Mahoney and Oran Fogarty in particular catching the eye.

Gortnahoe Glengoole fielded a youngish side and no doubt more will be heard of them in the coming years. The scoreline did not do justice to their effort and their display against superior opposition was both commendable and encouraging. Chris Dunne was their leader on the field, but Ronan Gleeson, Billy Gleeson, Patrick Brophy, Mark O’Shea, Adam Norton and Michael Campion all put in a big shift.

Scorers: Thurles Sarsfields: Euan Murray (0-11, 0-5f), Eoin Webb (0-7, 0-5f), Charlie Lawlor 0-5, Darragh O’Dwyer, David Ayilaran 0-3 each, Kieran Rossiter 0-2, Pierce Cullen 0-1.

Gortnahoe Glengoole scorers: Chris Dunne (1-5, 0-4f), Adam Norton 0-3, Aidan Bourke 1-0, Patrick Brophy, Shane Gleeson, Darragh Heffernan, Michael Campion all 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields: James Verling; Bobby O’Dowd, Oran Fogarty, Jakub Magalinski; Andy Rossiter, Darragh Cornally, Ciaran O’Mahoney; Euan Murray, Pierce Cullen; Charlie Lawlor, Kieran Rossiter, David Ayilaran; Darragh O’Dwyer, Aaron Darmody, Eoin Webb.

Subs used: Niall Gleeson for Webb; Diarmuid Barrett for Darmody; Cillian Ryan for Lawlor; Darragh Larkin for K Rossiter; Dara Burke for O’Dowd.

Gortnahoe Glengoole: Adam Hogan; Adam Healy, Ronan Gleeson, Martin Gleeson; Patrick Brophy, Eamon Hayden, Billy Gleeson; Thomas Coady, Mark O’Shea; Darragh Heffernan, Michael Campion, Adam Norton; Aidan Bourke, Chris Dunne, Shane Gleeson.

Subs used: Callum Gleeson for M Gleeson; Conor O’Gorman for Healy; Dan Fennelly for Campion.

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens)