Tipp SHC: Thurles Sars turn on the style after the interval to overcome Loughmore challenge

STELLAR FORM: Thurles Sarsfields' Darragh Stakelum races past Loughmore-Castleiney Lorcan Egan.

Thurles Sarsfields 1-22 Loughmore-Castleiney 2-12 

A storming second half by Thurles Sarsfields saw off the challenge of Loughmore-Castleiney in a lively Tipperary senior hurling semi-final played on a heavy pitch at Semple Stadium on Saturday evening.

A full strength Sarsfields, who had already won divisional honours, were slight favourites going into the contest due to some absentees in the Loughmore defence, but a tight first half gave no indication of the coming Sarsfields monopoly.

The Thurles lads opened well with Darragh Stakelum hitting three points in the first 11 minutes as they forged 0-5 to 0-2 ahead but a Ciaran McCormack goal after 25 minutes levelled for Loughmore (1-4 to 0-7), who went on to lead at half-time 1-6 to 0-8. 

Sarsfields shot nine first half wides, four in the opening five minutes, and had reason to be disappointed to be behind at the break.

It was anybody’s game at that stage but on the change-over Sarsfields took control. They outscored their rivals 0-7 to 0-1 in 10 minutes to go 0-15 to 1-7 clear. 

John McGrath points from frees were keeping Loughmore in touch and they were just 3 points behind when Aidan McCormack netted for Sarsfields off a Paddy Creedon pass after 55 minutes (1-18 to 1-12) Sarsfields quickly added three points to go nine clear on the hour. 

John McGrath had a penalty goal for Loughmore after 62 minutes but it was too little too late for them.

This was a big win for Sarsfields who, after an opening loss to Kiladangan, have been steadily building up momentum as they chase the title last held in 2017. 

Darragh Stakelum was named man of the match with six points from play but Ronan Maher, Paul Maher, Conor Stakelum, Stephen Cahill, Aidan McCormack, and Cathal Moloney all had big games for them.

It was a disappointing end to the year for Loughmore-Casltleiney who a week earlier were beaten in the senior football semi-final. 

Missing key defenders Joey Hennessy and John Meagher, and with Noel McGrath nursing a hamstring injury, they were not the force of others years and relied heavily on John McGrath’s free-taking for their scores. 

John Ryan, Ciaran McCormack, Liam McGrath and Tommy Maher did best for them. 

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

Loughmore scorers: J McGrath( 1-6, pen, 6fs),C McCormack(1-1), L McGrath(0-2), L Egan, C Connolly, N McGrath(0-1 each).

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

Subs: D Corbett for Moloney(48mins), P Creedon for Purcell(53mins), T Doyle for Butler(56mins), J Derby for M Purcell(57mins), Cian Stakelum for A McCormack(58,mins).

Loughmore-Castleiney: M McGrath; L Egan, E Meagher, W Eviston; J Ryan, B McGrath, T Maher; C Connolly, T McGrath; E Connolly, L McGrath, N McGrath; P O Connell, J McGrath, C McCornack. 

Subs: C McGrath for O Connell(42mins);

Ref: A Tierney, Shannon Rovers