Thurles Sarsfields hit straps to breeze past paltry Borris effort

FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 3-22

Borris-Ileigh 1-18

Minor star Kieran Rossiter produced a man-of-the-match performance as Sarsfields cruised past a disappointing Borris-Ileigh in the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Semple Stadium on Saturday.

Those who expected a classic between these sides were sorely disappointed. Sarsfields dominated from start to finish, two goals in six minutes at the start of the second quarter setting them firmly in the driving seat, and with Rossiter “on song” and a threat with each possession, they had the game wrapped up by half-time, at which stage they led 2-12 to 0-7.

The Sarsfields man registered 1-4 from play in that period and was given a huge reception from Sarsfields supporters when withdrawn late on.

Borris’ record against the Thurles lads is not good and, while they will be dismayed at yet another defeat, what will particularly gall them is the manner in which they went down. They played second fiddle to their opponents in most sections of the field after the Sarsfields goal double and, well before referee Ciaran O’Donovan blew time, many fans had left the stadium.

The Thurles lads are beginning to look like potential champions and, with four wins from four games in the campaign, confidence is rising. Ronan Maher remains sidelined but could figure next time out. In his absence, the team has knuckled down to business, energised by the injection of a half-dozen youngsters, and while they remain a work in progress, they are making serious progress.

A hint of what was to come came as Sarsfields reeled off four points in as many minutes at the start. Even at that early stage, Kieran Rossiter’s pace was a problem for Borris, the Sars man firing over two points. Conor Kenny was an effective target man for Borris under high deliveries as they fought back to level 0-4 each after seven minutes.

They might have had a goal too, but Jack Bevans’ effort struck the woodwork and Paddy McCormack also saw a goal chance come to nothing. What a goal for them at that stage would have done is anybody’s guess.

Just when it seemed the game was warming up, Sarsfields put it to bed in a six-minute spell. Darragh and Cian Stakelum had points for them before Kieran Rossiter netted off an Eoin Purcell pass in the sixteenth minute. Six minutes later, Kieran Rossiter was the provider as Darragh Stakelum bagged a second Sarsfields goal, followed by a Rossiter point for a 2-8 to 0-5 lead after twenty-two minutes.

Borris were deep in trouble and were not showing any great signs that they could extricate themselves from it. At half-time, Sarsfields led 2-12 to 0-7 and their place in the semi-final draw seemed assured.

Borris moved Jerry Kelly to attack for the second half, but the Thurles lads were resolute in keeping them at arm’s length throughout. The sides continued to swap points in a scrappy second half devoid of real championship fervour.

Borris badly needed a goal to inspire a rally, but it did not come until two minutes from time when Eddie Ryan’s twenty-metre free found its way past the Sarsfields wall, too late to make any real difference. By that time too, Thurles management had emptied their bench and were looking forward to contesting the semi-final.

Sarsfields have every reason to be pleased with the outcome and their campaign seems to be gaining momentum with each passing game. Unbeaten in the round-robin series, there is a consistency about them that is encouraging and confidence-building. With Ronan Maher waiting in the wings after his injury, the competition for starting places is keen.

Most encouraging has been the impact of the younger players. Kieran Rossiter had the proverbial “stormer”, scoring 1-5 from play, and was a constant threat to the Borris defence. Conor Stakelum had another great outing at centre-back, while Henry Fogarty had his best game to date. Denis Maher, Cian Stakelum and Euan Murray were others to vie for top billing.

It was a disappointing end to the campaign for Borris. They started without Tom Delaney and had to switch Jerry Kelly to defence. While Delaney came on for the second half, by then the damage was done, and they were chasing the game with Kelly restored to the attack for the second half.

To add to their woes, they had Paddy McCormack red-carded at the finish, an unfortunate end to a day they will quickly want to put behind them.

Eddie Ryan’s free-taking was their main source of scores. They had just seven points from play, not nearly enough to win games at this level in these conditions. Conor Kenny was their main ball-winner in attack, with James Devaney’s bursts also a threat.

Jerry Kelly worked hard throughout and Dan McCormack was a commanding figure at full-back, but overall there was no joy for Borris.

Scorers: Sarsfields: Kieran Rossiter 2-5, Darragh Stakelum 1-3 (0-2f), Aidan McCormack 0-4 (0-3f), Paddy Creedon, Euan Murray, Cian Stakelum 0-2 each, Paul Maher, Daniel Rossiter, Tommy Maher, Conor Stakelum 0-1 each.

Borris-Ileigh scorers: Eddie Ryan 1-10f, James Devaney 0-2, Conor Kenny, Jerry Kelly, Paddy McCormack, Kevin Maher, Jack Hogan, Tom Delaney all 0-1 each.

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

Subs used: Tommy Maher for A McCormack (47); James Armstrong for Cian Stakelum (52); Stephen Maher for P Maher (55); Robbie Stapleton for K Rossiter (56).

Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack; Kieran Maher, Dan McCormack, Colm Boyle; Sean McCormack, Jerry Kelly, Liam Ryan; Tommy Ryan, Patrick Ryan; Jack Bevans, Eddie Ryan, Paddy McCormack; Ray McCormack, James Devaney, Conor Kenny.

Subs used: Cathal Hogan for L Ryan (27); Kevin Maher for T Ryan (27); Tom Delaney for Kieran Maher (half-time); Jack Hogan for R McCormack (40); Michael Ryan for Sean McCormack (48).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess)