Sarsfields forward power too much for Boherlahan Dualla yet again

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship - Group 3 - Round 2

Thurles Sarsfields 0-24

Boherlahan Dualla 0-18

By Michael Dundon

A second win in group three of the FBD Insurance guarantees Thurles Sarsfields a place in the knock-out stages of the FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate County Hurling Championship, their six points win over Boherlahan Dualla at Dundrum on Sunday evening reflecting their greater range of attacking options to that of their opponents.

In a free-flowing contest, Sarsfields, last year’s beaten finalists, had twelve players on the scoreboard, their ability to pick off points from long range a key factor in achieving this success. Though defeat was their lot here, Boherlahan Dualla are still very much in the championship, their final game against Newport in the round-robin series requiring a win to see them through.

Sarsfields have a well-balanced side with experienced former seniors Michael Cahill, Pa Bourke, Michael O’Brien, and Michael Russell providing the steadying influence for the promising younger set of whom Kieran Costello was especially prominent at wing-back in this game.  Boherlahan are finding their feet in the higher grade this campaign and rely heavily on Tomas Ryan’s accuracy from frees but veteran Seam Leahy continues to be an inspiring figure for the younger lads.

Sarsfields were never headed. The sides shared six points after nine minutes but three Sarsfields points in as many minutes from Tommy Maher, the very impressive Conor Lanigan, and Kieran Costello, gave Sars a grip on the game they never subsequently relinquished. 

Boherlahan responded with points from Tomas and Euan Ryan but then a six-point Sarsfields salvo, three from Tommy Maher, opened a seven points gap(0-12 to 0-7) and from there on Boherlahan were on the back foot and struggling to stay in the contest.

The interval arrived with Sarsfields 0-14 to 0-8 to the good, presenting Boherlahan with a formidable challenge facing into the second half. Boherlahan did not shirk the challenge but Sarsfields always had enough in their repertoire to keep them at arm's length. 

The sides traded points in the third quarter, Sars maintaining their six-point advantage. Boherlahan got it down to four points with ten minutes to play, enough to muster a late rally, but Sarsfields responded to the threat outpointing them five to three in the closing stages.

Sarsfields were full value for their win and appear well-equipped to again challenge for honours this year. Their biggest challenge will be to avoid the loss of players to the senior set-up but they will also be hoping that the return of some players away for the Summer will strengthen their squad. There was much to encourage them here. 

Kieran Costello was on top of his game alongside Michael Cahill whose experience and reading of the game headed off many threats. Harry Fitzgibbon, Michael Russell, and Connor Lanigan were other key figures in this win.

Boherlahan Dualla faces Newport in the next round, a tie that will have a real championship flavour to it with both needing wins to progress their campaign. This is an emerging Boherlahan team with a lot of quality in it and while defeat was their lot here, they are capable of better. Seamus Leahy was their best player with Tomas Ryan’s accuracy also a key factor for them, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Ger O’Dwyer, Euan Ryan, and Mark Downey also worked hard for them.

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

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

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

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

Referee: Donal Ryan (Cappawhite)