Sarsfields mark golden jubilee of ’74 success

By Michael Dundon

Fifty years ago this year, Thurles Sarsfields won the Dan Breen Cup and County Senior Hurling title for the 28th time by beating Silvermines, 3-6 to 1-10, in the final at Semple Stadium.

For the much decorated club, on the face of it, it seemed that order had been restored after a nine-year lapse since their last success in 1965 but it turned out to be a far more significant victory than anybody dreamed of at the time.

The 1965 win over Carrick Davins in a replay at Cashel was the club’s second five-in-a-row, something no other club in the county has ever achieved. Sarsfields first five-in-a-row came from ’55 to ’59 but Toomevara broke the sequence in 1960.

Sars were back the following year however, going on to record a second winning sequence of five. Three of that squad, Jimmy Doyle, Paddy Doyle, and Michael Dundon were also there for the ’74 success, Jimmy Doyle captaining the team.

Having bridged the nine-year gap in ’74, it was expected that Sarsfields’ dominance of the county scene would continue but, though they were always competitive, and contested a number of finals, the club did not win another senior title for 31 years when Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady led them to victory over Drom & Inch, a game that attracted thirteen thousand spectators in 2005. For Sarsfields, a 31 year barren spell was ‘the famine’ to beat all famines, and it added all the more to the ’74 win.

At that time, the county championship was run on a knockout, open draw basis, a departure from the previous system whereby each division sent forward two teams for the county championship. In the first round, Sarsfields were drawn against Sean Treacys, the West standard-bearers and a considerable force at the time, and a team trained by former Sarsfields and Tipperary great, Larry Keane. Sarsfields came out on top 2-11 to 2-9, having led 2-4 to 0-2 at half-time but having to survive a huge Treacys’ surge in the second half.

That win set up a clash with reigning champions Roscrea in the next round, a thriller at Nenagh and possibly the best game of that particular championship. Sars led by a point at half-time, but Roscrea came back strongly in the second half to go three points clear and then added a goal from Francis Loughnane. Sars responded with points from Jimmy Doyle, Joe Connors, Paul Byrne, Francis Murphy (2), and Sean McLoughlin to get ahead. Roscrea came back to level through Liam Spooner and then Jody Spooner put them ahead with time running out.

With defeat staring them in the face, Sars looked to the great Jimmy Doyle for inspiration, and he was not found wanting. He pointed in the last minute to level and then in injury time, pointed a 70 to topple the champions and set up a meeting with old adversaries Toomevara in the semi-final, again at Nenagh.

Sars were beaten by Drom & Inch in the Mid Final a week previously, not a good omen for the semi-final but The Blues skated through against Toome, winning 3-15 to 2-9, full forward Johnny Burke bagging a hat-trick of goals. Paddy Doyle had fractured his jaw in the Mid Final but lined out against Toome notwithstanding and played well.

COUNTY FINAL

The final against Silvermines attracted a 10,500 attendance who saw Sarsfield lead at half-time 2-3 to 0-5 in a tight contest, the goals coming from Johnny Burke and Johnny Dwyer. Silvermines, inspired by a Pat Quinlan goal, came at Sarsfields with all guns blazing in the second half but The Blues held out, thanks to a number of top-drawer saves from goalkeeper Jimmy Duggan.

Jimmy Doyle collected the Dan Breen Cup and announced his retirement after the game, although he subsequently relented and played in the ’75 campaign. He was also named Cidona Hurler of the Year in Tipperary that year.

Sarsfields faced Newmarket-on-Fergus in the Munster club championship a week later but were beaten 2-10 to 0-9.

The 1974 panel comprised of: Jimmy Doyle (senior) captain, Jimmy Doyle (junior) vice-captain, Jimmy Duggan, Pat Leane, Jim Ryan (A), Tossy Hayes, Paddy Doyle, Tom Barry, Sean McLoughlin (Borrisokane), Francis Murphy, Eddie Clancy, Johnny Dwyer, Paul Byrne, Johnny Burke, Pat McCormack, Jackie Cooke, Michael Gleeson, Brendan O'Neill, Michael Dundon, Paddy McCormack, Liam O'Donoghue, Sean Hussey, Pat Stakelum, Martin Byrne, Michael Grogan, Denis Curtis, Sean Maher, Tony Ryan.

The management team was Martin ‘Musha’ Maher, Miceal McElgun, Michael Murphy and Mickey ‘Rattler’ Byrne. Team mascot on county final day was Aidan Murphy, son of Michael Murphy, the 1964 Tipp All-Ireland winning captain.

The group was honoured by the club at a special get-together in Sarsfield social centre on November 16th when presentations to mark the occasion were made to each of the group by club chairperson John Cahill. Regrettably Jimmy Doyle (senior), Paddy Doyle and Pat Leane have passed on, as have selectors Mickey Byrne, Miceal McElgun and Michael Murphy, but they were represented at the function and fondly remembered, and their exploits recalled with affection. It was a wonderful occasion, joyful and nostalgic, and one that will not be repeated.