Thurles Sarsfields always in control as they get the better of Nenagh

FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 1-27

Nenagh Eire Og 1-23

By Michael Dundon

The clash of divisional champions in the FBD Insurance county senior hurling preliminary quarter-final at Borrisoleigh on Saturday went the way of the Thurles version of “The Blues” who held off a third-quarter rally by their Nenagh counterparts to claim their place in the county quarter-finals draw.

In what was a very open and free-flowing encounter Sarsfields had by far the greater range of attacking options and that, with Ronan Maher once more a dominant figure at the heart of the Thurles defence, tipped the scales in favour of the Mid champions.

With three of their squad under suspension, it was always going to be a tough assignment for Nenagh who did have the bonus of the return after injury of Jake Morris. However, they did not have the strength in depth to cope with the losses to suspension, with Tommy Heffernan being particularly missed.

Played in stifling heat on a rock-hard surface, it was an energy-sapping encounter and while in recent years Nenagh have enjoyed successes against Sarsfields, there was no disputing the superiority of the Thurles lads on this occasion. 

They always seemed to have an extra gear when Nenagh threatened their dominance. This was particularly evident in the closing stages as Nenagh reduced a seven points deficit to one with four minutes to play only for Sarsfields to outpoint them six to three in the run-in.

Indicative of the greater scoring options of the Thurles side was the fact that eleven of their players scored. Seanie Butler whipped over four points from play in a great first half before having to retire injured early in the second half, while Eoin Purcell who replaced him, added three points from play, Sarsfields ”bench” again contributing very positively to their win.

There was a great atmosphere in Borrisoleigh for the start of the game with the sides sharing four points in a lively opening five minutes. Then Sarsfields began to push ahead and were 0-8 to 0-3 clear after 11 minutes, Butler notching three. On 16 minutes, Butler had a great goal chance but opted to pass and the opportunity was lost. 

Then Nenagh strung 3 points together through the impressive Josh Keller and Mikey Heffernan(2) to be just two adrift (0-7 to 0-9) early in the second quarter, but once presented with the threat, Sarsfields responded with five points to Nenagh’s two, a brace from Stephen Cahill helping their cause. Conor Lanigan had a goal chance in injury time but did not get enough purchase on his shot which Nenagh goalie Dermot McTiernan dealt with confidently.

At the break, Sarsfields led 0-14 to 0-9 but Nenagh would have the slight breeze to help them. However, Sarsfields were still 17 to 13 clear after 41 minutes when Michael Purcell picked out Billy McCarthy with a sweet delivery and McCarthy blazed home a goal to put Thurles firmly in the driving seat.

Nenagh were not yielding however and when the impressive Sam O’Farrell netted for them after 50 minutes to cut the lead to three points(1-20 to 1-17), the game was back in the melting pot. Mikey Heffernan and Jake Morris added points and the momentum appeared to have shifted in Nenagh’s direction.

Sarsfields however were equal to the challenge. Aidan McCormack and O’Farrell swapped points before Eoin Purcell swept over two points in a minute, followed by scores from McCormac and McCarthy, as Sarsfields again opened a five-point gap with the game going into injury time. 

Points from Anthony Walsh and Mikey Heffernan closed it to three after 62 minutes but Eoin Purcell capped his fine performance with a late point to get Sarsfields comfortably through to the last eight.

Sarsfields have every reason to be pleased with a performance that suggests there is even better to come from them. 

As ever the influence of Ronan Maher is huge but the contributions of Denis Maher, Seanie Butler,  and Eoin Purcell were also eye-catching, with Darragh Stakelum, James Armstrong, and Stephen Maher to the fore.

Nenagh’s indifferent season is at an end, the highlight being their North final win. Their campaign has been beset by injuries, particularly that to Jake Morris, who made his return for this game and was a threat despite the close attention of Paul Maher. Sam O’Farrell was very impressive with Mikey Heffernan, Josh Keller, Paddy Murphy, and Conor Hennessy also doing their bit.

Thurles Sarsfields: Paddy McCormack; Paul Maher, Denis Maher, Stephen Maher (0-1); James Armstrong (0-2), Ronan Maher (0-2), Michael Purcell (0-1); Stephen Cahill (0-2), Cathal Moloney (0-1); Billy McCarthy (1-2), Conor Stakelum, Aidan McCormack (0-6, 0-5f); Darragh Stakelum (0-2), Seanie Butler (0-4), Conor Lanigan (0-1).

Subs used: Eoin Purcell (0-3) for Butler (42); Tommy Doyle for Lanigan (48); Cian Stakelum for Moloney (53); David Corbett for M Purcell (57).

Nenagh Éire Óg: Dermot McTiernan; Conor Ryan, Mark Carey, Conor Hennessy (0-1); James Mackey, Paddy Murphy (0-1), Adam Healy (0-1); Sean Phelan, Sam O’Farrell (1-1); Mikey Heffernan (0-9, 0-4f, 0-1 65), Barry Heffernan (0-1), Josh Keller (0-1); Philip Hickey, Adam Carey, Jake Morris (0-6, 0-2f).

Subs used: Cian Crowley (0-2)  for Carey (HT); Anthony Walsh for Hickey (42);  Mark O'Farrell for Phelan (56).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)