Clonakenny goal threat wins the day in victory over Thurles Sarsfields

Mid Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

An emphatic three goals win for Clonakenny over Thurles Sarsfields in the Mid Premier Intermediate hurling championship semi-final at Killea on Monday evening sends them through to the final against Gortnahoe-Glengoole.

The Killea club had everything ship-shape for the encounter with the sides trading points in a lively opening. After 19 minutes Clonakenny struck a telling blow when Delacy Byrne raced through from midfield for a goal and a 1-6 to 0-7 lead. Two minutes later John Joie Ryan netted after a defensive lapse and those goals shaped the game(2-6 to 0-8).

Sarsfields, with Jack Lanigan razor sharp, responded well and by half-time had the deficit down to two points, 2-8 to 0-12.

It was very much all to play for but Clonakenny, with Diarmuid Ryan “sweeping” to great effect and Willie Tyan strong at the heart of their defence had warmed to their task as the half progressed.

They kept at their work on resuming and by the end of the third quarter were 2-12 to 0-15 clear, Sarsfields finding it very hard to make inroads against a solid Clonakenny defense.

The decisive break came after 42 minutes when Cian O Dwyer, a headache for the Sarsfields defence all through, netted for Clonakenny only to find that referee Marty Ryan had blown for a free beforehand. The setback did not upset the Clonakenny man who belted he penalty to the net for a 3-12 to 0-15 lead.

The game was by no means beyond Sarsfields' reach at that stage but with Clonakenny's defences still dominant, Sarsfields never threatened to overhaul them and Clonakenny finished with a flourish, four unanswered points sending them through to the final high in confidence.

Clonakenny are a strong, physical side with plenty of hurling and they have been holding their own with the best at this level for some years since winning the county intermediate title in 2015, when they beat Sarsfields incidentally.

While Cian O’Dwyer and John Joe Ryan were sharing the scoring honours, the work of Diarmuid Ryan sweeping in defence, played a big part in the win as did the performances of Willie Ryan, Delacy Byrne, Donal Greed, who picked up an injury in the second half, and John Costigan.

It was a disappointing outcome for Sarsfields who had some very experienced players in action, including regular seniors Denis Maher, James Armstrong, Paddy Creedon, and Michael Cahill. Although Jack Lanigan and Rory Purcell did well, there was no real penetration in their attack which never threatened a goal.

Denis Maher was a dominant figure at the heart of the defence with Paul Maher and Michael Cahill also to the fore.

Clonakenny: Stephen Russell; Cian Russell, John Costigan, Alexei Harty; Proinnsias Matthews, Willie Ryan (0-1), Diarmuid Ryan; Delacy Byrne (1-1), John Joe Ryan (1-6); Michael John Carroll (0-1), Peadar Byrne, Bobby Bergin (0-1); Nicky Ryan, Donal Greed, Cian O’Dwyer (1-7, 1-2f).

Subs used: Paul Bergin for Greed (35); Conor Shanahan for Byrne (42); John O’Meara for Carroll (49).

Thurles Sarsfields: Kevin Bracken; Jack O’Mara, Denis Maher (0-1), Paul Maher (0-1); James Armstrong, Michael Cahill, Harry Fitzgibbon; Tommy Maher (0-2), Rory Purcell (0-2); Mossie McCormack, Liam McCormack (0-2), Jock Fogarty (0-1); Paddy Creedon (0-1), Jack Lanigan (0-6), Robbie Stapleton (0-1).

Referee: Marty Ryan (Moyne Templetuohy)