Ruthless Sarsfields demolish Annacarty

Thurles Sarsfields 2-30

Eire Og Annacarty 1-13

Report: Michael Dundon in Dundrum

Thurles Sarsfields rich vein of form continued as they decimated Eire Og Annacarty by twenty points in this group 1 County Senior Hurling Championship encounter on Sunday.

Eire Og had accounted for Upperchurch in the first round, and surprised Sarsfields at a similar stage two years ago, so they went into the game with plenty of confidence but by the first water break their fate was decided as the Thurles lads swept to a 1-10 to 0-4 lead with a powerful display of fast, slick hurling that left Eire Og floundering.

Pa Bourke, in his first championship start of the year following injury, was on fire in that period, scoring 1-3 from play, his goal coming in the 16th minute off a Ronan Maher delivery.

It was much the same in the second quarter with Sarsfields scoring at will, Paddy Creedon netting their second after 26 minutes en-route to an interval lead of 2-17 to 0-8.

There was simply no way back for Eire Og and they were 2-24 to 0-11 adrift coming to the second water break when Tom Fox got their goal, but it made no difference as Sarsfields, despite using their full quota of subs, continued to run the show to the finish.

With two wins behind them, and high scoring rates, Sarsfields look assured of a quarter final spot even before they meet Upperchurch-Drombane in the third round, a game the latter must win to stay in the hunt. The introduction of a number of players from their successful underage teams has re-energised a Thurles side that appeared to be fading, and if they can maintain this form in the coming weeks, they will make a bold bid to regain the title they last held back in 2018.

Particularly pleasing for them has been the manner in which newcomers Paddy Creedon, Paul Maher, Seanie Butler and Jack Derby have taken to the upgrade and also the return to form of experienced Pa Bourke who had been hampered by injury. David Corbett, Aidan McCormack, Conor Stakelum, and the Maher brothers at the heart of the defence all contributed greatly to this win too.

Eire Og Annacarty must defeat Drom & Inch in the third round to keep their championship hopes alive. Defeat could put them in the relegation melting pot, so it is all to play for. They will need to improve on this showing which, while lacking nothing in determination, fell short in terms of real senior quality. Tom Fox was easily their top performer with Conor O’Brien, Seanie Ryan, Aidan Griffin, and Brian Fox also working hard to stem the tide against them.

Player of the Match: Pa Bourke (Thurles Sars)

Thurles Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack (6); Paul Maher (6), Padraic Maher (7), Seosamh Ryan (6); David Corbett (0-3, 7), Ronan Maher (0-2, 7), Jack Derby (6); Stephen Cahill (0-2, 7), Michael Cahill (0-1, 6); Conor Stakelum (0-4, 7), Aidan McCormack (0-8, 6f) 7), Seanie Butler (0-1, 6); Pa Bourke (1-3, 8), Denis Maher (0-2, 6), Paddy Creedon (1-3, 7).

Subs: Cathal Moloney (6) for M Cahill (44); Kieran Costello (6) for Bourke (47); Stephen Maher (6) for Corbett (53); Eoin Purcell (0-1, 6) for D Maher (54), Pa Dunne (NR) for Paul Maher (55).

Eire Og Annacarty: Darragh Mooney (6); Stephen O’Brien (6), Conor O’Brien (7), Mikie Bradshaw (6); Paul Devlin (6), Brian Fox (7), Diarmuid Ryan (6); Paidi Bradshaw (6), Eoin Bradshaw (6); Donal O’Dwyer (0-2, 7), Tom Fox (1-4, 7), Paul Downey (6); Seanie Ryan (0-1, 7), Dinny Crosse (6), Aidan Griffin (0-6, 4f) 7).

Subs: Cian Mooney (6) for P Bradshaw (HT); Connie Bradshaw (6) for M Bradshaw (40); Paidi O’Dwyer (6) for Crosse (40); Kevin Fox (6) for E Bradshaw (48); David Fox (NR) for Devlin (54).

Referee: Keith Delahunty (Moyle Rovers)