Thurles Sarsfields safely into U21 hurling semi-final after late first half goal flurry

Donal & Rose Younge Mid U21A Hurling Championship Quarter-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 3-15

Moycarkey-Borris 1-16

Two goals in the five minutes just before half-time tipped the scales in Thurles Sarsfields favour in this well contested Mid Tipp under 21 A hurling quarter-final at Littleton on Saturday.

County champions in the grade last year, Moycarkey-Borris were missing some key players but fought tenaciously all the way. However, Sarsfields greater options in the attacking department (they had eight scorers) was an obvious difference between the sides with Moycarkey relying heavily on Kyle Shelley.

When Sarsfields opened up a 0-6 to 0-1 lead inside ten minutes, it looked as though they would cruise to victory but Moycarkey slowly found their feet, and with Shelley deadly accurate from frees and play, they were level at 0-8 each after 22 minutes.

Sarsfields responded in devastating fashion. Jack Lanigan netted after being set up by Darragh Stakelum. Eoin Purcell pointed and then set up Robbie Stapleton for a goal and on the half-hour mark James Armstrong pointed a free to put the Thurles lads 2-10 to 0-8 ahead, all in the space of five minutes. Kyle Shelley pointed a Moycarkey free in injury time, his sixth of the half, and fourth from placed balls.

Leading 2-10 to 0-9 at the break, Sarsfields were in a commanding position but Moycarkey kept after them and Sarsfields had goalie Aidan Stakelum to thank for two fine saves denying the home side goals that would certainly have changed the complexion of the game.

Instead, in the 49th minute, Eoin Purcell was provider for Jack Lanigan to hit his second goal for a 3-13 to 0-14 lead and from there on Sarsfields were never going to lose. Moycarkey never relented however, but their goal just on the hour came too late to kick-start a rally.

Sarsfields will be happy to have cleared a difficult hurdle and to have a testing contest behind them facing into the semi-final against J K Brackens. With a number of players of senior experience in their line-up they are a formidable side who should make a bold bid for honours. Kieran Costelloe, Darragh Stakelum, Eoin Purcell, Jack Lanigan, goalie Aidan Stakelum and Robbie Stapleton were key men in this victory.

It's anybody’s guess how a full strength Moycarkey Borris side would have fared but in the circumstances they can have no complaint about the result or indeed about the effort their players put into their challenge. Kyle Shelley was their keyman and leader on the field but Darren Flood, Joe Maher, Joe Egan, goalie Liam McDonagh, and Peter Melbourne were others to catch the eye.

Thurles Sarsfields: Aidan Stakelum; Jack O Mara, Kieran Costelloe, Emmet Fogarty; Henry Fogarty, James Armstrong (0-1), Conor Fogarty; Tommy Maher (0-1), Cian Stakelum; Eoin Purcell (0-3), Darragh Stakelum (0-2), Jock Fogarty (0-1); Paddy Creedon (0-2), Jack Lanigan (2-2), Robbie Stapleton (1-3).

Subs: Liam McCormack, Ciaran Woodlock, Urban Nolan, Paddy Stakelum.

Moycarkey Borris: Liam McDonagh; Sean Hayes, Peter Melbourne, Liam Hayes; Cathal Corcoran, Kevin Hayes, Kian Corcoran; Darren Flood, Daragh O’Dwyer (0-1); Andrew Alexander, Kyle Shelley (1-11), Joe Egan (0-2); Bill Flanagan, Joe Maher (0-2), Liam O Meara.

Subs: Ryan Leahy, Sean Flanagan, Kevin O’Halloran, Sean Flood.

Referee: PJ Nolan (Killea)