Sarsfields turn on the power to end Golden Kilfeacle’s dream run

FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 1-23

Golden Kilfeacle 1-20

Thurles Sarsfields produced a powerful second-half turnaround to overcome Golden Kilfeacle by 1-23 to 1-20 and book their place in the FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-finals in Clonoulty.

For long periods, this looked like it could be Golden Kilfeacle’s day. Playing in excellent conditions, the newly promoted side delivered a superb opening half and deservedly went to the dressing room three points ahead, 1-10 to 0-10.

Golden Kilfeacle were sharp from the outset. Sam Hall was outstanding early on, striking four first-half points from play and causing the Sarsfields defence plenty of problems. Ben Currivan was equally important, while Jack Leamy provided the opening half’s decisive score.

Currivan opened Golden’s account from a free before Hall landed their first score from play. Sarsfields responded through Pa Bourke, Cillian Minogue and Tommy Doyle as the sides traded scores during an entertaining opening quarter.

The first major breakthrough arrived after 13 minutes. Jack Leamy ran through the middle and his shot from the ‘21 found the Sarsfields net, giving Golden Kilfeacle a significant lift and helping them establish control.

Hall continued to impress, while Currivan was accurate from placed balls. Thurles stayed in touch through Jack Lanigan and Minogue, but Golden were playing with real confidence.

One of the defining moments of the opening half arrived around the 25-minute mark. Golden Kilfeacle created another goal opportunity through Niall Heffernan’s surging run up the field, but Michael McCormack produced a huge save. At a stage when Golden were threatening to take a firm grip on proceedings, McCormack did everything in his power to stem the tide and keep Sarsfields within striking distance.

Golden still finished the half strongly enough to lead 1-10 to 0-10, and there was little argument that they deserved their advantage.

Whatever was said in the Thurles dressing room had the desired effect.

Sarsfields wasted no time attacking the deficit after the restart. Pa Bourke and Jack Lanigan immediately found the target, with Cillian Minogue and Tommy Doyle also contributing as Thurles increased the tempo.

With just over 11 minutes of the second half played, the evergreen Pa Bourke struck for the Sarsfields goal. Michael Purcell’s long-range effort came back off the post and Bourke was on hand to volley to the net.

Jack Lanigan was excellent, both from placed balls and open play. He finished with 0-11, including three points from play, and repeatedly punished Golden when opportunities presented themselves. Bourke’s contribution of 1-4 was equally significant, while Cillian Minogue hit 0-3 and Tommy Doyle contributed 0-2.

Golden refused to go away.

A particularly impressive spell midway through the second half saw Andy Byrnes, Currivan and Leamy all score from play in quick succession. Currivan remained the focal point of their attack and finished with 0-11, nine of those coming from placed balls.

But Sarsfields had performers throughout the field and, crucially, they were able to find scores from a greater spread of players.

Lanigan landed another from play before Michael Purcell got forward for an important score. Golden kept applying pressure, with Currivan converting two late frees and substitute Jack Bergin also finding the target, but Sarsfields managed the closing stages well.

Lanigan’s late free gave them the cushion they required and, although Golden battled until the finish, Thurles held on for a three-point victory, 1-23 to 1-20.

The statistics underline just how competitive the contest was. Golden Kilfeacle converted 21 of their 27 scoring attempts, while Sarsfields registered 24 scores from 31 attempts. Golden scored 1-11 from play, with Sarsfields producing 1-15 from play, that greater attacking return proving particularly important after the interval.

For Golden Kilfeacle, defeat will undoubtedly hurt after putting themselves in such a strong position. Yet their championship campaign must be viewed in a wider context. This was their first season in the Premier Intermediate grade following promotion from Intermediate, and they showed throughout the campaign, and again here, that they are more than capable of competing at this level.

Hall’s opening-half display, Currivan’s consistency and Leamy’s goal all gave them a genuine opportunity to reach the last four.

For Thurles Sarsfields, attention now turns to the semi-final.

Thurles Sarsfields: Michael McCormack; Fionn Fogarty, Seosamh Ryan, Kieran Moloney; Michael Purcell (0-1), Michael Cahill, Kieran Costello; David Corbett (0-1), Cathal Moloney; Tommy Doyle (0-2), Jack Lanigan (0-11, 0-8f), Darragh Minogue; Cillian Minogue (0-3), Pa Bourke (1-4), Liam McCormack (0-1).

Subs used: Jack O’Mara for Fionn Fogarty (17); Conor Lanigan for Pa Bourke (49); Rory Purcell for Darragh Minogue (51); Philip Hayes for Tommy Doyle (59); Seanie Butler.

Golden Kilfeacle: Jack Currivan; Jack Dalton, Shane O’Connell, Aiden O’Connell; Gavin Dalton, Niall Heffernan, Cian O’Connell; Jack Lonergan, Padraig Dalton; Eanna Ormond, Ben Currivan (0-11, 0-9f), Jack Leamy (1-2); Sam Hall (0-4), Andy Byrnes (0-2), Charlie Hall.

Subs used: Jack Bergin (0-1) for Charlie Hall (48); Eoin Murnane for Sam Hall.

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)