Tipp SHC: Thurles Sars survive Nenagh scare

FULCRUM: Ronan Maher Thurles Sarsfields, controlling the sliotar against Eire Og Nenagh. Pic: Brendan Gleeson

Thurles Sarsfields 1-27 Nenagh Eire Og 1-23 

Thurles Sarsfields survived a third-quarter rally by Nenagh Eire Og to claim their place in the draw for the Tipperary senior hurling quarter-finals after a quality preliminary quarter-final at Borrisoleigh on Saturday evening.

With Seanie Butler on fire, scoring 4 points from play, and Ronan Maher dominating at centre halfback, Sarsfields were the better team in the first half, fully deserving of their interval lead of 0-14 to 0-9. 

They might have had two goals but Butler opted to pass rather than shoot in the 16th minute and Conor Lanigan had his effort just before the break well saved by Nenagh goalie Dermot McTiernan.

Eleven minutes into the second half Billy McCarthy netted for Sarsfields off a Michael Purcell delivery to put them 1-17 to 0-14 ahead and they looked safe. 

Nenagh however had a Sam O'Farrell goal after 50 minutes and followed up with points from Mike Heffernan and Jake Morris to be just one point behind with 6 minutes left 1-20 to 1-19).

Eoin Purcell proved to be Sarsfields' super sub with three points in the closing minutes as they recovered the initiative for a deserved win. 

While Maher and Butler, who had to retire with an ankle injury, were the stars of the Sarsfields win, Eoin Purcell, Paul Maher, Denis Maher, Stephen Cahill and James Armstrong were also very influential.

Missing three through suspension, Nenagh did not have the strength in depth to cope despite the best efforts of Sam O'Farrell, Mikey Heffernan, Jake Morris, Paddy Murphy, Josh Keller, and Conor Hennessy.

Sarsfields scorers: A McCormack (0-6,5fs), B McCarthy (1-2), S Butler (0-4), E Purcell (0-3), S Cahill, D Stakelum, J Armstrong, R Maher,(0-2 each) S Maher, M Purcell, C Moloney, C Lanigan (0-1each)

Nenagh Eire Og scorers: M Heffernan (0-9,5fs), J Morris (0-6,2fs), S O Farrell (1-1), C Crowley (0-2), B Heffernan, P Murphy, A Healy, J Keller(0-1 each)

Sarsfields: P McCormack; P Maher, D Maher, S Maher; J Armstrong, R Maher, M Purcell; S Cahill, C Moloney; B McCarthy, C Stakelum, A McCormack; D Stakelum, S Butler, C Lanigan.

Subs: E Purcell for Butler (42mins), T Doyle for Lanigan (48mins), Cian Stakelum for Moloney (53mins), David Corbett for M Purcell (57mins)

Nenagh: D McTiernan; C Ryan, M Carey, C Hennessy; J Mackey, P Murphy, A Healy; S Phelan, S O Farrell; M Heffernan, B Heffernan, J Keller; P Hickey, A Carey, J Morris.

Subs: C Crowley for Carey (h/t); A Walsh for Hickey (42mins), M O Farrell for Phelan (56mins)

Referee: C Doyle, Silvermines