Joey Hennessy, Loughmore-Castleiney, and Darragh Stakelum, Thurles Sarsfields, in Tipperary SHC action. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Tipperary SHC semi-finals
Toomevara 2-19 Moycarkey-Borris 0-20
Loughmore-Castleiney 0-17 Thurles Sarsfields 2-9
By Michael Dundon
Loughmore-Castleiney’s bid for a senior hurling and football double in Tipperary stayed on course as they saw off the challenge of Thurles Sarsfields in the senior hurling semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday.
Despite being stunned by two early Paddy Creedon goals for Sarsfields, Loughmore dominated and were not flattered by their two points winning margin. Creedon’s goals gave Sarsfields a 2-0 to 0-5 lead after eight minutes, but by half-time, Loughmore, with John McGrath leading the way, were 0-11 to 2-4 ahead, the county man shooting eight of the points, six from frees.
With the breeze to aid them in the second half Sarsfields were expected to take control, but thought they were on the heels of their rivals all the way, they never threatened to overtake them. Indeed, at the finish, Loughmore spurned four clear-cut point chances leaving Sarsfields in the game, but the Thurles lads could not take advantage of those lapses.
John McGrath scored 0-12 in a man of the match performance for Loughmore, eight from frees. Noel McGrath, Brian McGrath, Ed Connolly and John Ryan offered most support. Sarsfields played well below their best with only Denis Maher, Paddy Creedon and Liam McCormack coming up to scratch.
Two Darragh McCarthy goals approaching half-time saw Toomevara through to the Tipperary senior hurling final as they saw off the challenge of Moycarkey-Borris on Saturday.
In a contest that never reached expected heights, Toomevara, seeking to bridge a 14 year gap since their last success, were trailing 0-7 to 0-10 when county under-age star McCarthy sent a rasper to the Moycarkey net to level after 23 minutes. Seven minutes later he linked up well with Adam Hall before blasting home his second goal for an interval lead of 2-9 to 0-11.
Moycarkey raised their game in the second half and Joe Maher was denied a likely goal by an Eoin Brislane save after two minutes. They got the lead back to 2 points (2-14 to 0-18) by the three quarter stage, but Toomevara, inspired by the work of both Darragh and Kevin McCarthy kept their noses in front to run out deserving winners.
Darragh McCarthy hit 2-7 of the winners tally, 2-3 from play while Kevin notched five points. Goalie Rory Brislane and Liam Ryan also had big games. Moycarkey’s last county senior title was in 1984. Foremost in their bid to bridge the gap were Kieran Cummins, who scored three points from midfield, Rhys Shelley, Kieran Morris Peter Melbourne and Joe Maher.
