Tipperary SHC Final Replay

Kiladangan 1-21 Thurles Sarsfields 1-20

By Shane Brophy at FBD Semple Stadium

Kiladangan were crowned Tipperary senior hurling champions for the second time in four years following an epic final replay over Thurles Sarsfields at FBD Semple Stadium on Sunday.

After being defeated in a final replay 12 months ago, Kiladangan were not to be denied despite getting off to a slow start with Paddy Creedon’s fourth minute goal giving Thurles the perfect start as they raced into a six point lead after nine minutes.

Kiladangan finally settled with the impressive Declan McGrath beginning the recover with Joe Gallagher, Billy Seymour, Tadhg Gallagher, and Dan O’Meara on target to level at 0-9 to 1-6 after 25 minutes.

Aidan McCormack was outstanding for Thurles Sarsfields and his latest free helped Sars into a 1-8 to 0-10 half time lead.

Kiladangan roared into the game after half time with Willie Connors landing two long range scores with Sean Hayes and Billy Seymour on target as they opened a 0-14 to 1-9 lead.

But as in the drawn game, the momentum see-sawed with Thurles responding and with the help of Darragh Stakelum’s first point from play with Aidan McCormack adding his fourth as they opened a four point lead on fifty minutes.

The game looked to be moving away from Kiladangan, but they found more in reserve with Billy Seymour, Declan McGrath, and Connors on target before Paul Flynn got his first point to lead again on 55 minutes.

Aidan McCormack levelled before a delicious pass from Declan McGrath played in Sean Hayes for a 57th minute goal and a three point lead. Billy Seymour brought his tally to nine with Thurles Sarsfields hitting two late frees from McCormack to bring them within one deep in added time.

Ronan Maher had one last chance to force extra time, but his long range effort tailed wide as Thurles lost their fourth senior final replay in a row while Kiladangan add this success to the 2020 win. Unlike then they will get a chance to represent Tipp in the Munster club championship when they take on Clonlara on Clare in the semi-final in two weeks’ time.

Scorers for Kiladangan: Billy Seymour 0-9 (6 frees); Sean Hayes 1-1; Willie Connors, Tadhg Gallagher 0-3 each; Declan McGrath 0-2; Joe Gallagher, Dan O’Meara, Paul Flynn 0-1 each.

Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields:Aidan McCormack 0-13 (8 frees); Paddy Creedon 1-3; Darragh Stakelum, Ronan Maher (frees) 0-2 each.

**Kiladangan: **Barry Hogan; Fergal Hayes, James Quigley, David Sweeney; Joe Gallagher, Alan Flynn, Willie Connors; Tadhg Gallagher, Declan McGrath; Paul Flynn, Billy Seymour, Sean Hayes; Bryan McLoughney, Dan O’Meara, Andy Loughnane.

Subs: Eoghan Sharkey for McLoughney (44); Conor Byrne for O’Meara (50); Darren Moran for Loughnane (60+2).

**Thurles Sarsfields: **Paddy McCormack; Paul Maher, Denis Maher, Stephen Maher; James Armstrong, Ronan Maher, Michael Purcell; Conor Stakelum, Cathal Moloney; Billy McCarthy, Stephen Cahill, Aidan McCormack; Darragh Stakelum, Eoin Purcell, Paddy Creedon.

Subs: David Corbett for Cahill (37); Seanie Butler for McCarthy (37); Conor Lanigan for E Butler (58); Cian Stakelum for Moloney (58).

**Referee: **J McCormack (Knockavilla-D Kickhams).