Sam O'Farrell hits 0-9 as Nenagh coast into Tipp decider with Loughmore

Nenagh Eire Og's Jake Morris in action aganst Drom and Inch.  Pic: Diarmuid Brennan

Tipperary SHC semi-final: Nenagh Éire Óg 1-20 Drom and Inch 1-12 

It will be a repeat of the 2013 Tipperary SHC final on Sunday week as Nenagh Éire Óg comfortably sealed their place alongside champions Loughmore-Castleiney.

Drom and Inch were terribly disappointing in this semi-final in FBD Semple Stadium, whereas Sam O’Farrell delivered nine points for Nenagh who never let up having led by seven at the break, 0-12 to 0-5.

The clinching score came as early as the 41st minute. Ben West gathered a long ball in and with one hand struck a goal. It sent Nenagh Éire Óg into a 12-point lead, 1-15 to 0-6, and they had left Drom and Inch for dust.

Drom and Inch substitute Johnny Ryan attempted to inspire his team-mates with a couple of points but there was little forthcoming. Seamus Callanan had a close-range free kept out in the 46th minute and at the other end Tommy Heffernan was chipping in with a couple of points.

Eventually, a consolation goal was produced by Paudie Kinane when he finished well after taking receipt of a Cormac Fitzpatrick pass, but having been 12 points down and it coming in the final minute of normal time, it was mere window-dressing.

Nenagh Eire Og's Barry Heffernan, James Donelan Holohan and Drom & Inch's Cormac Cahill Pic: Diarmuid Brennan

Drom and Inch were largely bystanders in the opening half. Captain Podge Campion’s point from inside his own half was their sole score from play as they made to rely on Callanan’s marksmanship from placed balls.

However, the 2019 hurler of the year, who had been dazzling in the championship to this point, was  subdued in a half where Nenagh Éire Óg made light of Mikey Heffernan’s absence.

Their veteran freetaker was a late withdrawal and there had been fears it would have a detrimental effect on his team’s chances of reaching a first final since losing to Clonoulty-Rossmore in 2018.

Nobody told his replacement West, who had two points to his name by the eighth minute and added a third in the 23rd minute, the second last of six Nenagh points in succession.

Further out the field, Tipperary’s double All-Ireland winner O’Farrell was orchestrating affairs and linking well with Mason Cawley on the right wing. Heffernan’s free-taking prowess was hardly missed as O’Farrell sent over all but one of six placed balls.

The closest Drom and Inch came to troubling Dermot McTiernan’s goal came in the 11th minute when a neat string of hand-passes put Eoghan Kennedy through only for him to be fouled.

Nenagh Éire Óg were seven points ahead before a couple of Callanan’s points made the scoreboard more respectable in the 27th minute. However, soon after the second of those Callanan scores Barry Heffernan putting the finishing touches on a quick puck-out with an excellent point from distance and O’Farrell’s second 65 in additional time finished out the half.

Scorers for Nenagh Éire Óg: S. O’Farrell (0-9, 6 frees, 2 65s); B. West (1-3); T. Heffernan, J. Morris (0-2 each); M. Cawley, P. Hickey, B. Heffernan, J. Mackey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Drom and Inch: S. Callanan (0-6, 5 frees, 1 65); P. Kinane (1-0); Johnny Ryan (0-3); P. Campion, J. Campion, F. Purcell (0-1 each).

NENAGH ÉIRE ÓG: D. McTiernan; J. Donelan-Holohan; P. Murphy, B. Heffernan, M. Cawley; C. Ryan (c), J. Mackey; S. O’Farrell, P. Hickey, J. Keller; B. West, J. Morris, A. Carey; A. Gratton for J. Donelan-Holohan, S. Phelan for J. Mackey (both 60+1).

Subs: T. Heffernan for A. Carey (inj 37); A. Heatly for B. West (54).

DROM AND INCH: E. Collins; K. Hassett, F. Purcell, R. Long; P. Campion (c), M. Campion, M. Conroy; J. Campion; L. Campion, E. Kennedy; C. Fitzpatrick, C. Cahill, D. Collins; S. Callanan, John Ryan.

Subs: D. Butler for John Ryan, Johnny Ryan for C. Cahill (both h-t); P. Kinane for M. Campion (41); J. Bergin for C. Fitzpatrick, J. Lillis for M. Conroy (both 60+1).

Referee: M. Kennedy (Newcastle).