Sarsfields hoping to end Toome hoodoo

FOUR final defeats in a row aren’t exactly exciting credentials, but Thurles Sarsfields carry that burden into tomorrow’s Tipperary SHC final against Toomevara in Semple Stadium.

This will be Sars’ third final clash with Toome in the last four years, and they have yet to register a win over their arch rivals. “We seem to have the Indian sign over them”, said Tom’s John Tynan, “but Sars were the top side in the county for years and were winning county senior titles long before we came on the scene.

“Thurles’ run of defeats must end sometime. On the law of averages they are due to win the title, but hopefully it won’t be tomorrow. We are in trouble with a couple of injuries but the panel is strong and whoever goes in can be depended on to keep his end up.

“Like most rural clubs, we built around a couple of families like the Dunnes and the Frends, who have been great servants down the years.

“Tommy Dunne is struggling with a injury, while George Frend will play despite a troublesome back. Both these players have given tremendous service to both club and county, and will be in the thick of the action tomorrow.”

Following last year’s defeat by Mullinahone in the final, Thurles made a conscious decision to “retire” a couple of players, and bring in fresh blood.

It’s a tribute to Thurles’ fantastic under-age structure, they are back in the final again fielding a team with at least six newcomers. Three of them are current county minors. Richie Ruth, one of the most exciting youngsters in the county, Benny O’Sullivan, and Paddy McCormack.

Three county minor titles in a row, plus an under 21 title, have given Sars an excellent crop of young hurlers but they need a senior title to hopefully start another golden era.

Unfortunately, they will be without Brendan Carroll.

He broke his hand in training before the quarter-final against Mullinahone, and has only resumed training.

Lar Corbett is another who will miss the final. He continues to be troubled with a hamstring injury.

Both players missed out on the semi-final win over Nenagh, and while they will be big losses, their replacements have settled in well, particularly Ruth and O’Sullivan, who had a storming game against the defending champions Mullinahone in the quarter-final.

However, while nine of their team will be under 21, Sarsfields also have vast experience in the Enright brothers Johnny and Eddie, Ger O’Grady, and team captain Tommy Maher.

A big game from O’Grady would go along way towards a Sars victory. He beat Mullinahone almost single-handedly, and Toomevara will have to put the shackles on him.

“Having seen Thurles play we know we’ll have to be at our very best to beat them”, said John Tynan. “They are a very fit and skilful team with plenty of youth in their side.

“They have had a lot of setbacks over the last four years and are desperate to end their losing sequence. Both teams have excellent credentials going into the final. Traditional would point to a Thurles win, but we have won seven titles in the last 10 years and want to build on that.”

The fact that they dethroned the champions with such a young team would suggest Sars are ready to reclaim their place as club kingpins, but it might take just one more year for those youngsters to fully mature.