Thurles take Pierce Purcell with superb Maher putt

FOR sheer excitement and tension it would be hard to equal the dramatic finish to the Bulmer’s sponsored Munster Pierce Purcell shield final at Castletroy as Holycross farmer Matthew Maher rolled in a tricky four foot downhill putt on the first green to give Thurles a memorable victory.

The decider against Charleville went down to Maher and Vincent O’Brien’s clash with Pat Nagle and Sean O’Connor and the Thurles pair’s triumph came against the odds as they trailed by three after just five holes.

The margin was two after eight; there was one in it at half-way and it was all to play for on the 16th tee when the pairs were level.