Sars edge out Kiladangan to reach county senior hurling final

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Thurles Sarsfields1-19

Kiladangan 2-14

Report: Shane Brophy at Semple Stadium

Kiladangan’s reign as Tipperary senior hurling champions is over as they were dethroned in a gripping semi-final by Thurles Sarsfields at Semple Stadium.

Sars came from four points down at half time and were the stronger team in the second half with injury time points from Aidan McCormack and man of the match Paddy Creedon edging them to victory.

Kiladangan got off to the livelier start with the first three points from Paul Flynn (2) and a Billy Seymour 65 inside three minutes but from there to the water-break it was all Thurles Sarsfields who rattled off eight points without reply from Darragh Stakelum, Paddy Creedon (2), Aidan McCormack (2, 1 free), Denis Maher, Stephen Cahill and Pa Bourke.

However, the break gave Kiladangan a chance to regather themselves and they got a tonic goal from Bryan McLoughney on eighteen minutes, at the same end he scored the county final winning goal. McLoughney and Willie Connors added points to bring Kiladangan level before Conor Stakelum nudged Sars back in front.

Billy Seymour brought the sides level with a free before he scored his sides second goal, benefitting from an advantage for a foul on Seymour.

McLoughney and Joe Gallagher pointed for Kiladangan to one Aidan McCormack free as the holders led 2-8 to 0-10 at half time.

Thurles Sarsfields got a tonic start to the second half in the form of a Conor Stakelum goal and by the 38th minute they had gone in front, 1-13 to 2-9 before Paul Flynn restored parity. Joe Gallagher put the holders back in front before Pa Bourke brought the sides level at the second water-break.

The game was really in the melting pot as Sars twice went in front through McCormack and Ronan Maher, cancelled out by a third Joe Gallagher point. Paddy Creedon nudged Sars two in front but Kiladangan were not going to yield and a Bryan McLoughney free and a fourth Paul Flynn point from play brought the sides level going into two minutes of added time where Sars made the winning burst.

MATCH DIGEST

SCORERS – Thurles Sarsfields: Aidan McCormack 0-6 (5 frees); Paddy Creedon 0-5; Conor Stakelum 1-2; Pa Bourke 0-2; Ronan Maher, Stephen Cahill, Denis Maher, Darragh Stakelum 0-1 each.

Kiladangan: Bryan McLoughney 1-3 (0-1 free); Billy Seymour 1-2 (0-1 free, 0-1 65) Paul Flynn 0-4; Joe Gallagher 0-3; Willie Connors 0-2.

TEAMS – Thurles Sarsfields: Paddy McCormack; Padraic Maher, Seosamh Ryan, Paul Maher; David Corbett, Ronan Maher, Jack Derby; Stephen Cahill, Michael Cahill; Darragh Stakelum, Aidan McCormack, Conor Stakelum; Paddy Creedon, Denis Maher, Pa Bourke.

Subs: Cathal Moloney for M Cahill (51); Billy McCarthy for Bourke (55).

Kiladangan: Barry Hogan; Fergal Hayes, James Quigley, Darragh Flannery; David Sweeney, Alan Flynn, Declan McGrath; Willie Connors, Tadhg Gallagher; Sean Hayes, Joe Gallagher, Billy Seymour; Paul Flynn, Dan O’Meara, Bryan McLoughney.

Subs: Jack Loughnane for Sweeney (17 inj); Tom O’Meara for S Hayes (43); Martin Minehan for Seymour (58).

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla Kickhams)