Statement win for Sarsfields in Tipperary senior hurling championship

Thurles Sarsfields 2-18 Holycross-Ballycahill 2-16

This was a big win for Thurles Sarsfields, whose strong finish saw off a fancied Holycross-Ballycahill in round two of group one of the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship at Boherlahan on Saturday.

Expectations of a classic did not materialise but the issue, in a close contest, was in the balance to the very end. Sarsfields outscored Holycross three to one in injury time to claim their second victory in the round robin series and put themselves in a very strong position for a quarter-final spot, with a game with Kilruane MacDonaghs next up.

Holycross-Ballycahill had beaten their rivals in the Mid semi-final but had some injury issues going into the game. Sarsfields had just two points to spare at the finish but it should have been much more. They had 14 first half wides and were undoubtedly the better team but Holycross know they had their chances too and in so tight a contest failure to take them gets punished.

Sarsfields had the breeze in the first half and despite hitting five wides were 0-3 to 0-2 ahead after seven minutes. Robbie Ryan, by far Holycross’ biggest threat in attack, swooped for a goal after nine minutes, flicking home a high delivery for a 1-2 to 0-3 lead. Paddy Creedon looked to have a goal for Sarsfields after twelve minutes but his effort came off the post. A minute later Darragh Stakelum pointed to level in a game marked more by tenseness on the field than quality.

After Sarsfields eased ahead through Aidan Stakelum they got a great boost when the lively Kieran Rossiter was fouled and Aidan McCormack netted the penalty for a 1-6 to 1-2 lead after 18 minutes. Sarsfields needed points on the board for the expected Holycross charge with the breeze after the break, but inaccuracy bedevilled their territorial superiority. Holycross, with Darragh Woods ever reliable on placed balls, stayed in touch and at the break a three-point deficit seemed very manageable.

Within fifteen seconds of resuming Sarsfields’ 1-9 to 1-6 lead was gone, Robbie Ryan pouncing on a breaking ball to fire to the Thurles net. That score might have kick-started a Holycross surge but Sarsfields were not throwing in the towel and the three-quarter stage arrived with the sides level at 2-11 to 1-14.

Then Eoin Purcell profited from an excellent Keith Loughnane delivery to wriggle through for a Sarsfields goal. Holycross countered with points from Darragh Woods and Tiarnan Ryan and after Sarsfields spurned another goal chance, Darragh Woods had a brace of points to level at 2-15 each.

Both sides might have settled for a draw at that stage but with time running out Sarsfields found an extra gear. Aidan McCormack pointed a free on the hour mark. Paddy Creedon and Euan Murray added to it. Holycross needed a goal but Sarsfields had the shutters up. Darragh Woods’ last point for Holycross with the last puck of the game made no difference. The honours rested with Sarsfields.

This win puts Sarsfields in a very strong position to qualify for the knockout stages but most importantly, it builds momentum after the first round success at Upperchurch’s expense. The wides tally, however, will be a disappointment and made things more difficult for them than should have been the case. So too did an injury to Stephen Cahill shortly after coming on.

The introduction of some young players into the team is paying dividends with Euan Murray, Kieran Rossiter, Cian Stakelum, Aidan Stakelum and Henry Fogarty energising the effort. Aidan McCormack’s accuracy from frees is a great asset while Conor Stakelum is adapting well to the number six shirt in the absence of injured Ronan Maher. Eoin Purcell hit a vital 1-2 from play. Overall, it was a good day at the office for Sars.

Holycross-Ballycahill’s clash with Upperchurch-Drombane in round three is going to be a big game for both. Holycross failed to ignite in this contest and, outside of Robbie Ryan, presented little threat in attack. Darragh Woods’ free-taking was faultless but otherwise it was a subdued Holycross performance. Tadhg Gould, Cathal O’Reilly and Cathal Barrett worked extremely hard in defence. Liam Doyle was missing through injury and his loss was felt. Goalie Ewan Bourke too had a fine game. There is no wriggle room left now if the club is to consolidate its place among the championship front-runners.

Sarsfields scorers: A McCormack (1-8,5fs), E Purcell (1-2), P Creedon, E Murray, D Stakelum (0-2 each); C Stakelum(f), A Stakelum (0-1 each).

Holycross-Ballycahill scorers: D Woods (0-11,8fs), R Ryan (2-1), T Gould (0-2), T Ryan, J Ryan (0-1 each).

Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack; Paul Maher, Denis Maher, Henry Fogarty; Keith Loughnane, Conor Stakelum, Cian Stakelum; Euan Murray, Daniel Rossiter; Eoin Purcell, Darragh Stakelum, Aidan Stakelum; Kieran Rossiter, Paddy Creedon, Aidan McCormack.

Subs: Stephen Cahill for K Rossiter (45 mins), Tom Maher for Cahill (54 mins), James Armstrong for Cian Stakelum (57 mins), Robbie Stapleton for Purcell (59 mins).

Holycross-Ballycahill: Ewan Bourke; Cathal O’Reilly, Cathal Barrett, Jack Ryan; Evan Morris, Bryan O’Mara, Joe Gould; Tiernan Ryan, Joe Caesar; Jimmy Lahart, Eoin Craddock, David Fogarty; Robbie Ryan, Darragh Woods, Mikey Nally.

Subs: Ben Hennessy for Fogarty (40 mins), Jack Dwan for Lahart (48 mins).

Referee: Sean Lonergan, Moyle Rovers.