Thurles Sarsfields will face De La Salle Waterford next in the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship, following second half goals from Lar Corbett and substitute Michael O’Brien, both proving crucial to Tipperary’s win against the Limerick side yesterday.
Lar Corbett's First Goal. Photograph: Courtesy John O'Loughlin
Hosts Kilmallock started well enough following successful frees from Andrew O’Shaughnessy and a point from play from Graeme Mulcahy, but by the quarter hour mark, the sides were level again following frees from Johnny Enright, Denis Maher and Pa Bourke.
Further excellent play from Bourke and a free from Enright saw the Tipperary champions take a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.
Kilmallock’s Eoin Ryan, Shane O’Donnell and O’Shaughnessy reversed this Tipperary lead, while goalkeeper Barry Hennessy produced a fine save to deny Tipperary’s Denis Maher a goal, but Bourke’s successful resulting ’65’ leveled the sides at half-time with 6 points apiece.
In the second half, while Kilmallock started strongly with points from Ryan, Mulcahy and O’Shaughnessy, a 36th minute goal from Hurler of the Year Corbett soon spurred Tipperary hopes and from then Sarsfields smelled victory.
Further points from Aidan McCormack and Bourke saw Sarsfields 1-8 to 0-9 ahead while a second goal from Tipp substitute O’Brien wrapped up the win for the visitors and Kilmallock finished down to 14 men after substitute Kieran Kenneally received a straight red card for a wild pull on Padraig Maher.
Thurles’ Padraic Maher was the outstanding match player, dominating his centre-back position throughout the game.
Final Score: Kilmallock (Limerick) 0-11 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 2-10.
Thurles Sarsfields: P McCormack (Capt); D Maher, K O’Gorman, B O’Dwyer; D Kennedy, P Maher, M Cahill; A Kennedy, M Gleeson; S Lillis, L Corbett, D Maher; J Enright, P Bourke, R Ruth.
Sarsfields Subs: A McCormack (O’Dywer), M O’Brien (Kennedy) and JJ Bourke for (Enright) .
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