Star-studded Sarsfields end Kiladangan reign in Tipperary
File pic: Ronan Maher of Thurles Sarsfields
Two injury-time points for Thurles Sarsfields relieved champions Kiladangan of their Tipperary senior hurling title at Semple Stadium on Saturday in a thrilling semi-final which keeps 'The Blues' on course to regain the crown last held in 2017.
Narrow though the winning margin was, Sarsfields were rightful winners. They enjoyed the longer and more productive spells of supremacy but some slack finishing, in the second half in particular, cost them scores which could have put the game beyond Kiladanganās reach.
Kiladangan won the title for the first time last year and, like many other clubs before them, learned that defending it is even more difficult. But disappointing though this defeat is, they went down like champions and no doubt will be back seeking to make amends next year.
Kiladangan got the ideal start, whipping over three points in as many minutes from Paul Flynn (2) and a Billy Seymour 65, but then Sarsfields moved into gear, hitting seven points on the trot to lead at the water break, 0-7 to 0-3. Six different scorers reflected the wide spread of offensive options in the side.
As he had done in last yearās county final, Bryan McLoughney rescued a Kiladangan effort that appeared to be unravelling, with a goal after 17 minutes, and added a point, as did Willie Connors as the holders drew level after 20 minutes. It got even better for them when two minutes from the break Billy Seymour availed of a favourable breaking ball to rifle home their second goal and steer them to a 2-8 to 0-10 interval lead.
Significantly, Kiladangan had enjoyed the favour of the fresh breeze in the first half and inside two minutes of resuming Conor Stakelum whipped home a Sarsfields goal off a Ronan Maher delivery. Three further Sarsfields points followed from Aidan McCormack (2) and Paddy Creedon, whose influence was growing by the minute, so that at the second water break the sides were deadlocked 1-14 to 2-11.
In the last quarter, Sarsfields had the edge. Points by Aidan McCormack, a long-range Ronan Maher effort, and another from Paddy Creedon, to which Joe Gallagher replied for Kiladangan, had Sarsfields two points clear with three minutes left.
Like true champions Kiladangan were not going away, and punishing some off-key Sarsfields finishing, they had points from Paul Flynn and Bryan McLoughney to level as the game went into injury time.
Sarsfieldsā greater experience in tight situations stood them in good stead as Aidan McCormack nudged them ahead again. Paul Flynn had the chance to level for Kiladangan but his effort strayed wide. Back up went Sarsfields and Paddy Creedon crowned a fine individual performance with his fifth point of the afternoon to clinch their place in the final.
Nineteen scores to sixteen best reflects Sarsfields' superiority over the hour but they will have concerns over the manner in which they conceded the goals and the manner in which they failed to put the game to bed.Ā
That aside, this was a big win for them, confirming the potential shown right through this campaign. Their ābigā men led by example with county stars Padraic Maher, Ronan Maher and Michael Cahill inspirational. Conor Stakelum, Stephen Cahill, and Paddy Creedon who, a few weeks back, captained the clubās under 19 side to county honours, again defeating Kiladangan, also had a big say in the trend of the game.
Kiladangan came up marginally short but can be proud of their effort. The loss of experienced defender David Sweeney through injury after 17 minutes was a big blow, but Alan Flynn, James Quigley, Paul Flynn, Bryan McLoughney, Joe Gallagher and Willie Connors put in a mighty effort to keep their campaign alive.
A McCormack (0-6, 5 frees); P Creedon (0-5); C Stakelum (1-2); P Bourke (0-2); R Maher, D Stakelum, D Maher, S Cahill (0-1 each).
B McLoughney (1-3, 1 free); B Seymour (1-2, 0-2 frees); P Flynn (0-4); J Gallagher (0-3); W Connors (0-2).
P McCormack, Paul Maher, Padraic Maher, S Ryan; D Corbett, R Maher, J Derby; S Cahill, M Cahill; D Stakelum, C Stakelum, A McCormack; P Burke, D Maher, P CreedonĀ
C Moloney for M Cahill (50mins), B McCarthy for Bourke (54mins);
B Hogan; D Flannery, J Quigley, F Hayes; D McGrath, A Flynn, D Sweeney; W Connors, T Gallagher; S Hayes, J Gallagher, B Seymour; D O Meara, P Flynn, B McLoughney
J Loughnane for Sweeney (17 mins); T O Meara for Hayes (42); M Minihan for Seymour(57mins);
J McCormack (Knockavilla Kickhams).
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