Thurles Sars keep Boherlahan at arms length

Last year’s beaten finalists Thurles Sarsfields guaranteed themselves a place in the knock-out stages of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with a fully deserved six point win over Boherlahan-Dualla in round 2 of group 3 on Sunday.

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 3

Thurles Sarsfields 0-24

Boherlahan-Dualla 0-18

Report: Michael Dundon in Dundrum

These sides also met in the Mid semi-final and Sarsfields were put to the pin of their collar to hold on for victory but this time they looked the superior outfit all the way. In particular their scoring ability topped that of their rivals, the Thurles boys having twelve of their side register, and they now top the group with full points from two games with a clash with Clonakenny next on their agenda.

Boherlahan-Dualla are still finding their feet in the grade. A win over Clonakenny in their opening game sets them up nicely for their third round tie with Newport and while they will be disappointed to have come unstuck here, there is enough quality in their side to still make the quarter-finals.

Sarsfields have a wealth of senior experience in their attack and this was clearly evident as Conor Lanigan, Michael O’Brien and Pa Bourke picked off their scores. The crucial period came at the start of the second quarter. Sarsfields were ahead 0-6 to 0-5 at that time but then shot six unanswered points through Tommy Maher (3), Michael Russell, O’Brien and Bourke to go 0-12 to 0-5 clear.

Boherlahan responded with three of their own, two from free-taker Tomas Ryan, and another from Seamus Leahy, who was causing Sarsfields a lot of problems but at the break, Sars were 0-14 to 0-8 ahead and looking likely winners.

The second half saw Boherlahan battle hard to clear the deficit, but they never got closer than four points, 0-19 to 0-15 with ten minutes to go. Enough time to salvage something from the game, but in a twinkling Sarsfields flashed over three points in four minutes to nip any possible late rally in the bud and they stayed comfortably clear to the finish.

It was a good win for Thurles Sarsfields who, despite losses to the senior squad, are still a formidable side at this level. While county footballer Kieran Costello had a stormer at wingback, the contributions of Michael Cahill, Aidan Ryan, Conor Lanigan, Harry Fitzgibbon, and Michael Russell also paved the way for the Thurles win.

Boherlahan-Dualla will be playing for a quarter-final spot when they engage Newport. They have the players to succeed with such as Seamus Leahy, Tomas Ryan, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Ger O’Dwyer, and Euan Ryan leading the charge for them.

Player of the Match: Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields).

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

Subs: Robbie Stapleton (0-1, 6) for Bourke (45); Aidan Stakelum (6) for O’Brien (47).

Boherlahan-Dualla: Darragh Lacey (6); Charlie Ryan (0-1, 6), Tomas Bourke (6), Johnny Ryan (0-1, 6); Dylan Fogarty (6), Martin Paul O’Dwyer (7), Ger O’Dwyer (7); Euan Ryan (0-1, 6), Cathal Darcy (6); James Kirby (0-1, 6), Niall O’Dwyer (6), Tomas Ryan (0-8, 7f, 7), Mark Downey (6), Darragh Hickey (0-1, 6), Seamus Leahy (0-5, 9).

Subs: Jake Canning (6) for N O’Dwyer (44); Paddy Gahan (6) for Hickey (50).

Referee: Donal Ryan (Cappawhite)