Injury time penalty forces final replay

Thurles Sarsfields 1-17 Drom-Inch 2-14

This was a wonderful game of end-to-end hurling with Drom-Inch holding much of the initiative following a 10th minute Kevin Butler goal. They led 2-7 to 0-8 at the interval, their second goal coming from Frank McGrath who turned an Eamon Buckley delivery into the net.

Sarsfields had been cruising in the early stages with county star Redser O’Grady providing much of the forward play. However, Sarsfields were dealt a major body blow nine minutes into the second half when O’Grady was dismissed for a second yellow card. It looked as though Drom-Inch would hold out for a famous victory as they led by four points with 10 to go.

However, Sarsfields battled really hard and scores from the unerring Pat Lawlor who bagged five points in the last quarter brought them to within a goal of the underdogs as injury time approached. Then came McCormack’s raster in the 31st minute to bring the game to a dramatic conclusion.

A draw was no more than Sarsfields deserved. Down to 14 men, they battled with tremendous resilience and the displays of Eddie Enright, Wayne Cully, Brendan Carroll and Pat Lawlor were noteworthy. For Drom-Inch, Seamus Butler was the star. Others to the fore were Macdara Butler, Liam Brett, Frank McGrath, Eamon Buckley and Micheal Butler.

Scorers: Thurles Sarsfields; P. Lawlor 0-6, G. O’Grady 0-4, J. Enright 0-3, P. McCormack 1-0, W. Cully, B. Carroll, R. Ruth 0-1 each. Drom-Inch; S. Butler 0-8, K. Butler 1-1, M. Butler 0-3, F. McGrath 1-0, M. Ryan, D. Young 0-1 each.

THURLES SARSFIELDS: P. McCormack, B. O’Sulivan, L. Shanahan, T. King, J. Connors, B. Carroll, S. Lillis, E. Enright, J. Lawlor, W. Cully, J. O’Grady, J. Corbett, J. Enright, S. Ryan, P. Lawlor, subs. R. Ruth for Shanahan, S. Mason for J. Enright, E. Costello for Connors, A. Dundon for Corbett.

DROM-INCH: D. Young, M. Costello, E. Buckley, E. Costello, D. Kennedy, P. Ryan, J. Woodlock, M. Butler, P. Collins, M. Butler, L. Brett, M. Ryan, S. Butler, F. McGrath, K. Butler, subs. S. Callinan for M. Butler, M. Butler for E. Costello.

Referee: N. Cosgrove, (Clonmel).