Roscrea prove too strong for Sarsfields

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Roscrea 2-26

Thurles Sarsfields 2-14

Report: James Hayden in Toomevara

A slick Roscrea side proved far too strong for Thurles Sarsfields in what proved an entertaining yet one-sided County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final on Sunday.

Roscrea proved the stronger side throughout and really turned the screw in the latter stages of the second half to run out deserving twelve-point victors. Sars battled hard but realistically played second fiddle throughout.

Goals at timely intervals in either half kept Sars’ within relative touching distance of a superior Roscrea outfit but once Conor Sheedy netted on 57 minutes to put nine points between the sides the game was well and truly up for Sarsfields.

Roscrea impressed from the very get-go with centre-back Darren O’Connor commanding an influential presence throughout while sharpshooter Evan Fitzpatrick was in superb form with seven points from play.

Playing with the aid of stiff breeze, Roscrea seized the initiative early with Alan Tynan and Luke Cashin (free) on target. Sars’ replied with John Maher and Mickey O’Brien both on target. Roscrea responded again with a Luke Cashin (free) coupled with a brace from Evan Fitzpatrick before further points from Shane Fletcher and Evan Fitzpatrick again ensured they led by double scores on the quarter-hour, 0-8 to 0-4.

Although both sides were employing a sweeper, Roscrea were finding their scores easier and efforts from Luke Cashin (free) and midfielder Jason Fitzpatrick extended their advantage further before a 20th minute Mikey O’Brien goal brought Thurles Sarsfields right back into contention, 1-5 to 0-10.

Luke Cashin and Jack Lanigan quickly pointed frees for their respective sides before Evan Fitzpatrick set up Roscrea’s wing-back, Michael Campion for a sweet strike from long-range.

With three minutes to the break, Roscrea introduced Conor Sheedy for Jason Gilmartin and his impact was immediate, sweeping over an angled point with virtually his first touch. Jack Lanigan replied with a well-struck point for Sars’ as the interval approached before a late Evan Fitzpatrick point ensured Roscrea led 0-14 to 1-8 at the break.

Roscrea emerged determined to extend their advantage and three quick-fire points without reply served to do just that. Luke Cashin (free), Daniel Ryan and Conor Dooley were all on target. Pa Dunne and John Maher replied for Sars' but Roscrea fired back with Shane Fletcher and Daniel Ryan both on target before a sublime brace from Evan Fitzpatrick fired Roscrea into a 0-21 to 1-10 lead.

Thurles were in serious bother but a 43rd minute Tommy Doyle goal after he threaded the sliotar through a forest of legs into the corner of the net offered the men in blue a semblance of hope.

Jack Lanigan (free) added another point to his side’s tally before Roscrea quickly snuffed out Thurles Sarsfields’ resurgence and extended their lead further with Conor Sheedy, Evan Fitzpatrick and Jason Fitzpatrick all on target. Thurles responded once more with points from Mikey O’Brien and Jack Lanigan (free) but a 57th minute Conor Sheedy goal finally put pay to the Sars’ challenge.

Alan Tynan fired over Roscrea’s final score minutes later, a well-taken goal with a neat finish, to ensure a fully deserved victory for Roscrea and send Liam England’s side through to a hugely anticipated county semi-final meeting with Burgess.

Impressive for Roscrea were Evan Fitzpatrick, Darren O’Connor, Jason Fitzpatrick, Daniel Ryan, Alan Tynan, Michael Campion, Shane Fletcher, and Conor Sheedy while Mikey O’Brien, Jack Lanigan, Kieran Costello, Tommy Doyle, John Maher and Pa Dunne were to the fore for Sars’.

Player of the Match: Evan Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).

Roscrea: Daryl Ryan (7), Shane Davis (7), Keith McMahon (7), James Synott (7); Michael Campion (0-1, 7), Darren O’Connor (8), Darragh Tynan (7); Daniel Ryan (0-2, 8), Jason Fitzpatrick (0-2, 7); Alan Tynan (1-2, 8), Luke Cashin (0-5f, 7), Evan Fitzpatrick (0-7, 8); Jason Gilmartin (5), Shane Fletcher (0-3, 7), Conor Dooley (0-1, 7).

Subs: Conor Sheedy (1-3, 8) for Gilmartin (27); Joe Carroll (6) for Dooley (43); Kenny Lee (6) for Cashin (50); Conor Phelan (NR) for Davis (54); Aidan Booth (NR) for D Tynan (58).

Thurles Sarsfields: Willie Tierney (7), Henry Fogarty (6), David Maher (7), Stephen Maher (6); Pa Dunne (0-1, 7), Kieran Costello (7), Harry Fitzgibbon (6); Cian Stakelum (6), Tommy Doyle (1-0, 7); Tommy Maher (0-1, 6), Michael Russell (6), Jack Lanigan (0-6f, 7); John Maher (0-2, 7), Mikey O’Brien (1-3, 7), Michael Purcell (0-1, 7).

Subs: Liam McCormack (6) for J Maher (45); Conor Fogarty (6) for Dunne (46); Emmet Fogarty (NR) for T Maher (55).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).