St. Mary's are within touching distance of place in Munster hurling final

The most successful year in the 97-year history of St. Mary's hurling club has the potential to get even better.

The South Tipperary Senior champions and the County Premier Intermediate champions are just an hour away from a historic appearance in the AIB Munster Club Intermediate Championship final, as they prepare to face Abbeydorney in this Sunday’s semi-final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee at 2pm.

Sunday’s next step in their incredible season represents something of a trip into the unknown. On the face of it, a Tipperary hurling team will always be fancied to get the better of a team from Kerry.

But as St. Mary’s manager Fergal Condon was quick to acknowledge after the quarter-final defeat of Ballincollig, there are no easy games at this stage of the championship, as he and his panel prepare for what they expect will be another stiff test.

Having blazed an impressive trail through the division and the county, the Clonmel club made a successful foray into the divisional championship the weekend before last when they beat Ballincollig.

St. Mary’s turned on the style for the large attendance that flocked to Clonmel Sportsfield for the last eight clash against the Cork champions, as they advanced with a 1-16 to 0-15 win. Once county player Peter McGarry gave them the lead after seven minutes, they were never headed again.

Ahead at half-time by 0-9 to 0-5, they were ten points ahead midway through the second half before the Cork team staged a comeback by outscoring St. Mary’s by eight points to two in the closing stages.

Ballincollig’s spirited revival underlined the importance of the game’s only goal, which Tadhg Condon scored in the 46th minute. That score gave them a nine-points cushion, and after Thomas Charles extended the advantage into double figures their lead was never seriously threatened.

St. Mary’s have developed into a formidable outfit as the season has progressed. They won their first South senior title in 45 years by beating Mullinahone in the final. That provided them with a major confidence-boost heading into the county championship and when they reached the final another south team, this time Killenaule, stood between them and a first county title since they won the Intermediate crown in 2017.

In another close tussle, the Clonmel side emerged on the right side of a 0-21 to 1-15 scoreline.

Their team is backboned by former Tipperary player Seamus Kennedy, who recently announced his retirement from inter-county hurling, and current Tipperary player Peter McGarry. While both players provide plenty of inspiration, this is by no means a two-man show.

Aaron Cagney, who won the man of the match award in the county final after an eyecatching tally of five points from play, is one of a host of talented forwards at their disposal.

Sammy Ryan and Tadhg Condon are a hardworking midfield pairing while defenders James Morris, Richie Gunne, Darragh O’Connor, Tadhg Sheehan and Ross Slattery were all outstanding against Ballincollig.

Goalkeeper Gearoid Buckley, meanwhile, has stepped into the breach impressively in place of Enda Dunphy, who was injured in the county final.

Crucially, St. Mary’s also have considerable strength in depth. Thomas Charles, who scored three points in the county final after he was introduced in the 42nd minute, combined with fellow substitute Michael Murphy to create the chance for Fergal Condon’s goal against Ballincollig. Ross Peters, Joe Higgins, Ruairi Leahy and Josh Ryan are others who can be called upon.

Abbeydorney, meanwhile, needed extra-time to beat Clashmore Kinsalebeg by 3-14 to 1-19 in the Munster quarter-final in Dungarvan.

Substitute Oisin Maunsell struck the decisive goal for the Kerry champions, while Michael O’Leary’s late equaliser rescued them from defeat in normal time.

The referee for Sunday is Shane Scanlon from Cork.

Limerick champions Dromin Athlacca entertain Clarecastle in Sunday’s other semi-final, with the final fixed for November 29.

The Clonmel club are expected to bring plenty of support with them to Tralee on Sunday and are wished the very best of luck in their endeavours.