Late Hayes goal inspires Kiladangan to County glory

Kiladangan were crowned Tipperary senior hurling champions for the second time in their history following an epic final replay over Thurles Sarsfields on Sunday.

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Final Replay

Kiladangan 1-21

Thurles Sarsfields 1-20

Report: Shane Brophy at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Willie Connors (Kiladangan)

SCORERS – Kiladangan: Billy Seymour 0-9 (6 frees); Sean Hayes 1-1; Willie Connors, Tadhg Gallagher 0-3 each; Declan McGrath 0-2; Joe Gallagher, Dan O’Meara, Paul Flynn 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields: Aidan McCormack 0-13 (8 frees); Paddy Creedon 1-3; Darragh Stakelum, Ronan Maher (frees) 0-2 each.

After being defeated in a final replay twelve months ago, Kiladangan were not to be denied this time round despite getting off to a slow start with Paddy Creedon’s third minute goal giving Thurles the perfect start as they raced into a six point lead after nine minutes.

Kiladangan finally settled with the impressive Declan McGrath beginning the recovery with Joe Gallagher, Billy Seymour, Tadhg Gallagher, and Dan O’Meara on target to level at 0-9 to 1-6 after 25 minutes. Kiladangan were well on top with their half back line taking control, but they didn’t take full advantage by hitting ten first half wides while Sean Hayes also missed two good goal chances, the second denied well by Sars keeper Paddy McCormack. Aidan McCormack was outstanding for Thurles Sarsfields and his latest free helped Sars into a 1-8 to 0-10 half time lead.

Kiladangan roared into the game after half time with Willie Connors landing two long range scores with Sean Hayes and Billy Seymour also on target as they opened a 0-14 to 1-9 lead after 37 minutes.

But as in the drawn game, the momentum see-sawed with Thurles responding and with the help of Darragh Stakelum’s first point from play, and with Aidan McCormack adding his fourth from play as they opened a four-point lead on fifty minutes.

The game looked to be moving away from Kiladangan, but they found more in reserve with Billy Seymour, Declan McGrath, and Connors on target from play before Paul Flynn got his first and point of the game to regain the lead again on 55 minutes.

Aidan McCormack levelled before a delicious pass from Declan McGrath played in Sean Hayes for the decisive 57th minute goal and with it a three-point lead. Billy Seymour brought his tally to nine points before Thurles Sarsfields hit two late frees from McCormack to bring them within one deep in added time. Ronan Maher had one last chance to force extra time, but his long range effort tailed right and wide as Sars lost their fourth senior final replay in a row going back to 1992 while a second county title for this Kiladangan team is a vindication of the hurling they have done since they reached their first final in 2016.

TEAMS - Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (7); Fergal Hayes (7), James Quigley (8), David Sweeney (8); Joe Gallagher (8), Alan Flynn (8), Willie Connors (9); Tadhg Gallagher (8), Declan McGrath (8); Paul Flynn (6), Billy Seymour (8), Sean Hayes (8); Bryan McLoughney (6), Dan O’Meara (6), Andy Loughnane (67).

Subs: Eoghan Sharkey (6) for McLoughney (44); Conor Byrne (6) for O’Meara (50); Darren Moran (NR) for Loughnane (60+2).

Thurles Sarsfields: Paddy McCormack (8); Paul Maher (8), Denis Maher (8), Stephen Maher (8); James Armstrong (7), Ronan Maher (7), Michael Purcell (6); Conor Stakelum (7), Cathal Moloney (6); Billy McCarthy (6), Stephen Cahill (6), Aidan McCormack (9); Darragh Stakelum (7), Eoin Purcell (6), Paddy Creedon (8).

Subs: David Corbett (7) for Cahill (37); Seanie Butler (6) for McCarthy (37); Conor Lanigan (NR) for E Butler (58); Cian Stakelum (NR) for Moloney (58).

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams).