'We were getting ready for penalties': Thurles Sarsfields manager Pádraic Maher on extra-time drama 

Thurles Sarsfields manager Padraic Maher, right, with Ger "Redser" O’Grady after the game. Pic: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho

For Pádraic Maher, it was far from perfect. But it was so sweet. Thurles Sarsfields saw off Inagh-Kilnamona after extra-time to secure their first Munster final spot since 2012.

Robbie Stapleton slotted the winner after 82 minutes of taxing action.

Both sides, what they put in there, it wasn’t the prettiest hurling at times but by god the effort, commitment and everything you want from a club team at this stage of the championship,” said manager Maher post-match.

“Both sides gave it everything that they had. Look, we’re absolutely delighted to get over the line there. We were getting ready for penalties to be honest with you, trying to get Pa Bourke in there for the last ten seconds to take a penalty. But Robbie came up with a piece of brilliance. What a contribution from the bench as well.

“I’m just delighted for everyone. We made loads of mistakes, some poor shots and we let them back into the game, but when players are emptying their bodies with everything they have got, you can’t ask any more from them.” They looked destined for a shoot-out until Denis Maher launched a late free that broke for the eventual winner.

“There were literally 20 seconds left, so we said, even if that free didn't work out, it probably was going to be blown, so we said we have to try and get him in before the free was taken, but either Denis wouldn't listen to us, the linesman was saying no as well, but we didn't come that far.

Thurles Sarsfields Robbie Stapleton pucked a dramatic late score to clinch the win. Pic: Tom O'Hanlon/Inpho

“That is the way we were thinking; we were just trying to cover all. We had a chance to go win the match and then if the ball broke the other way, we could have been caught. When it comes to that stage of the game, it's just toss the coin and see what happens, really, isn't it?” 

Thurles have tasted devastating Munster club championship defeats after extra-time before. In 2016, they lost to Ballyea in the same ground. A year later, Ballygunner beat them after extra-time. Maher can still remember dropping the sliotar through his hand for a goal that proved crucial.

They channelled that pain on Sunday, led by Aidan McCormack who scored ten points, including seven from play.

“Outstanding. He has been that for years for us,” said Maher.

“He has even changed his game, we've asked him to do a bit of a different role this year at times.

“I thought the leadership he was showing there today was unbelievable. Well-experienced, he has played a load of Munster Club Championship matches for us, and you could see that the likes of him there, that it would probably hurt them losing a couple of games over the years. It really came out from there today.”