Newport undone by late Sars surge

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 3

Thurles Sarsfields 0-27

Newport 2-14

Report: Michael Dundon in Kilcommon

Newport’s prospects of being involved in the knock-out stages of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship suffered a setback as they incurred a seven point defeat at the hands of last year’s runners-up Thurles Sarsfields in their opening game in group 3 on Saturday evening.

A setback yes, but they would have seen plenty to encourage them as they look to further games with Boherlahan-Dualla and Clonakenny in this finely balanced group. However, with this loss, there is no further room for error, and they will have to improve, particularly in attack, if they are to make “the cut.”

That said, it should be noted that Sarsfields were in the final last year and lost to Lorrha after a replay. They have lost some of those players but are still a formidable force in the grade, their ability to pick off points from long-range being an important element of their victory here.

With the breeze in their favour, Sarsfields enjoyed the better of things in the first half. Six points to four ahead at the end of a modest first quarter, they took control for the remainder of the half to lead at the interval by 0-15 to 0-9, Keith Loughnane (4), Michael O’Brien (3) Tommy Doyle (2), and Rory Purcell (3) all finding the target. The returning Pa Ryan’s free-taking accounted for four Newport points.

Sars had the opening two points of the second half but then Newport came to life with points from Shane Flanagan and Peter O’Sullivan followed by a Pa Ryan goal in the 37th minute after fumbling in the Thurles defence. Sarsfields lead was down to two points (0-17 to 1-12), but their response was to hit the next three points without reply.

Once more Newport surged – Colin Floyd’s goal, and two Pa Ryan points leaving them just a point adrift and with momentum behind them. Just when it seemed that Newport would drive on for a win, Sarsfields raised their game a notch and in the last quarter they outscored their rivals 0-7 to 0-1 for a winning margin that somewhat flattered them though its merit could not be disputed.

Thurles Sarsfields were happy to successfully clear this difficult hurdle after their loss to Upperchurch/Drombane in the Mid final. This team is a combination of seasoned campaigners and youthful senior aspirants though players already lost to the senior set-up dilutes their championship prospects.

Former county star Michael Cahill was the driving force behind the team with Rory Purcell, Keith Loughnane, who was forced out through injury, Tommy Doyle, Kieran Moloney, Michael O’Brien, and Aidan Ryan others to shine. The game also marked the return to action after a year out of former county star Pa Bourke.

Newport are in the process of team-building after the loss of some of their squad to retirement and injury. No one could fault them for endeavour, but they were not good enough in front of goal.

Pa Ryan was their main source of scores and he, with the Floyds, Aidan Moloney, and Conor Hickey worked very hard. Their cause was not helped by the loss to injury of fullback Michael Quigley early on and they will be hoping he will be available for round 2.

Player of the Match: Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields)

Thurles Sarsfields: Kevin Bracken (6); Jack O’Mara (6), Pa Dunne (6), Kieran Moloney (7); Tommy Doyle (0-3, 7), Aidan Ryan (7), Kieran Costello (6); Tommy Maher (0-6f, 6), Michael Cahill (9); Michael Russell (0-1, 6), Harry Fitzgibbon (0-2, 6), Rory Purcell (0-5, 7); Michael O’Brien (0-3, 7), Conor Lanigan (0-2, 6), Keith Loughnane (0-4, 1f, 7).

Subs: Daniel Rossiter (0-1, 6) for Dunne (15); Pa Bourke (6) for Loughnane (45); Aidan Stakelum (6) for Russell (52).

Newport: Paul Hogan (7); Conor Hickey (6), Michael Quigley (6), Cathal Floyd (6); Aidan Moloney (6), Thomas Floyd (0-1, 7), Cian Flanagan (6); Kealan Floyd (0-1, 7), Brendan Coffey (6); Jack Delahunty (0-1, 6), Shane Flanagan (0-1, 6), Pa Ryan (1-8, 0-7f, 7); Oran Connors (6), Colin Floyd (1-0, 7), Jack Ryan (0-1, 6).

Subs: Conor Floyd (0-1, 6) for Quigley (14 inj); Peter O’Sullivan (0-1, 6) for J Ryan (35); Aaron O’Neill (6) for Delahunty (45).

Referee: Johnny Butler (Upperchurch/Drombane).