|
|
 It was 3/1 outsiders Limerick that scored a sensational 2-18 (24pts) to 2-16 (22pts) victory against Tipperary (in front of 24,962 spectators) in the Munster SHC semi-final at Semple Stadium, Thurles this afternoon. The artistry of Shane Dowling’s scoring prowess saw the Premier county being edged out only in the last dying minutes of a truly classic Munster Championship, bewildering their hosts with a late salvo of 1-2, after the Premier County appeared to be on target for a Sunday Final showdown.
Both sides had exchanged early points before Niall O’Meara edged Tipperary in front after about 10 minutes. Limerick soon equalised and then took the lead when Shane Dowling rifled a 20-yard free into the roof of the net with Kevin Downes further stretching this advantage from the puck-out. However four minutes later Tipperary’s Patrick Maher returned the compliment, to find the opposing net.
The game remained one of ‘retaliation in kind’ for the remainder of the first half with offerings from Seamus Callanan and Declan Hannon both matching each hard-fought crucial score, to leave the sides level at 1-8 (11pts) apiece as they headed for the well deserved break.
The first minutes of the second half saw a fully determined Gearoid Ryan grant Tipperary a goal, but Limerick remained resolute, replying with four successive single points. Both sides now began to fight it out in earnest and when Denis Maher put the Premier County three points ahead in the dying minutes, Limerick’s future looked dangerously ominous.
However Tipperary had not bargained on the momentum of Shane Dowling, who deposited home an amazing goal in the 68th minute, thus equalising both sides yet again. Now spurred on by this determination and with everything to play for, two insurance points by Tom Ryan and Seamus Hickey in quick succession saw Limerick cross the line to victory to wrestle a deserved place in the 2014 Munster final, thus repeating once more last year’s provincial victory against their very same opponents.
Tipperary Team: D. Gleeson, C. Barrett, P. Maher, M. Cahill, J. Barry, B. Maher, C. O’Mahony, K. Bergin, S. McGrath, G. Ryan, N. McGrath, N. O’Meara, J. O’Dwyer, S. Callanan, P. Maher.
Tipperary Scorers: G. Ryan 1-2 (5pts), J. O’Dwyer 0-5 (5pts), S. Callanan 0-5 (5pts), P. Maher 1-0 (3pts) and N. McGrath, N. O’Meara, L. Corbett, D. Maher 0-1 (1Pt) each.
Subs: L. Corbett for J. Barry, D. Maher for N. O’Meara, C. O’Brien for M. Cahill, S. Bourke for J. O’Dwyer, T. Stapleton for S. McGrath.
Three Thurles Crokes AC members Billy Phillips, John O’Shaughnessy and Declan Doherty, (Pictured here standing between ladies Colette Charles, representing Irish Autism Action and Martina Leamy, representing Pieta House), presented cheques to two very worthy causes; Irish Autism Action and Pieta House on Thursday night last, following the conclusion of their major fund-raising event, by running the Boston Marathon on the 21st April 2014 .
All three participants would like to thank, most sincerely, all those that supported them with their funding raising efforts, which allowed them to double their originally sought target of €5,000.
Well done to everyone involved.
Kilkenny return home this evening with the Dr Croke Cup, having secured their 17th Allianz Hurling League crown and their first ever ‘three-in-a-row’ of hurling league titles, having played in front of some 21,601 spectators.
It was Kilkenny’s TJ Reid whose last-minute point, aided by Richie Hogan (Latter named ‘Man Of The Match’), secured Kilkenny’s win here at Semple Stadium in Thurles this afternoon. Tipperary goalkeeper Darren Gleeson having launched the sliotar out of play, granted Reid that one, yet vital chance, to snatch the title outright, in a superb match in which both teams managed to draw level on some eleven different occasions.
The first Tipperary goal arrived courtesy of Killenaule man John O’Dwyer; tipping the sliotar into the right top corner of the Kilkenny net, from the edge of the square, having been fed the ball nicely by Noel McGrath.
Kilkenny’s two goals came either side of the half-time break, both successfully rifled into the Tipperary net, again by TJ Reid, from penalties. Reid would go on to score an incredible personal tally of 2-11 (17 pts) by the matches end.
However at the half-time mark this afternoon, Tipperary were still leading 1-11 (14 pts) to Kilkenny’s 1-09 (12 pts).
On the balance of overall play this afternoon, Tipperary did deserved a draw, having rallied from the start two points down to end on equal scores and in doing so ensured the two extra ten-minute periods of play were required to find the overall vanquisher.
In extra time superb goalkeeping from Kilkenny’s Eoin Murphy, crucially blocked what looked like a certain goal from Tipperary’s Seamus Callanan. However Murphy deflected same using his back, spinning it out for a 65 to which Callanan could only gain one point.
While a most enjoyable game to watch, Tipperary players will return home this evening with the knowledge that since winning the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny in 2010, disappointingly they have consistently failed against their constant rival, losing out in the 2011 All-Ireland, the 2012 semi-final, last year’s qualifier and now two League finals. Tipperary still remain the all-time record-holders of Hurling League titles, having won 19 since it was founded originally in 1925.
No doubt there will be much debate in the coming days on that disputed eleventh minute point awarded to Kilkenny, despite TV video footage appearing to show that Colin Fennelly’s best scoring efforts most likely had drifted somewhat wide of their initial intended target.
Final Score: Kilkenny 2-25 (31 pts) – Tipperary 1-27 (30 pts).
Tipperary Team: D. Gleeson; C. Barrett, P. Maher, M. Cahill, J. Barry, B. Maher, C. O’Mahony, K. Bergin, J. Woodlock, D. Maher, P. Maher, J. O’Dwyer, N. McGrath, S. Callanan and N. O’Meara.
Substitutions: T. Stapleton for B. Maher, G. Ryan for D. Maher, S. McGrath for J. Woodlock, S. Bourke for N. O’Meara , J. O’Brien for S. Callanan, S. Callanan for J. O’Brien (Latter in extra time), J. O’Brien for J. O’Dwyer and J. O’Dwyer for S. Bourke.
Referee: J. Owens (Wexford).
Tipperary settled an old score today in front of a 20,452 spectators crowd in Limerick. They had been beaten by Clare when last these great hurling counties came face to face in Semple stadium just last month, with Co.Clare’s Conor McGrath rifling home a hat-trick of goals.
This afternoon the tables were turned with Seamus Callanan scoring twelve points for the Premier County, latter finishing winners with 2-23 (29 Pts) to 2-17 (23 Pts) against last year’s All Ireland Champions Clare, in the Allianz Hurling League semi-final, held at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.
Tipperary will now greet their old rivals Kilkenny in a second successive final, possibly on May 4th next and at home here in Semple Stadium, subject to official approval.
It was Clare who quickly scored the game’s opening goal in just the third minute and indeed Tipperary would concede yet another, but two matching goals, one goal in each half, coming courtesy of stalward Patrick Maher, would eventually match this Tipperary deficit.
Tipperary gained full form into the second part of the first half to lead by 1-14 (17 Pts) to 1-07 (10 Pts) at the break. Clare did however manage to creep back to within three points of Tipperary during the second half, but it was to be this same opposition who remained relatively comfortable hindering Clare from getting back to within any real striking distance.
Tipperary must now surely be within sight of another title as they look ahead to what promises to be yet another explosive collision with Kilkenny, who today also booked their place, having defeated Galway 1-16 (19 Pts) to 0-15; to also reach the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final.
Tipperary Scorers: N. O’Meara 0-03; S. Bourke & J O’Dwyer 0-02 each; S. Callanan 0-12; P. Maher 2-00 (6 Pts) and J. Barry, J. Woodlock, D. Maher, N. McGrath and G. Ryan all scoring 1 point apiece.
Tipperary Team: D. Gleeson (Portroe); C. Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill); P. Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); M Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields); J. Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane); B. Maher (Borris-Ileigh – Captain); C. O’Mahony (Newport); K. Bergin, J. Woodlock (Drom & Inch); N. McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney); P. Maher (Lorrha/Dorrha); J. O’Dwyer (Killenaule); D. Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); S. Callanan (Drom & Inch) and N. O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs).
Tipperary Substitutions: S. McGrath for N. McGrath, G. Ryan for D.Maher, S. Bourke for J. O’Dwyer and M. Breen for J. Woodlock .
 Thurles Father & Son greet President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina in Stratford-upon-Avon On a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, during their recent State visit to England, President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina did a spontaneous walk about and met up with Cormac Molumby and his father Gerry. Noting his Tipperary Jersey, the President asked Cormac, jesting; “Are Tipperary, still playing hurling there?” to which Cormac very quickly replied in the affirmative “Yes Sir”.
Although presently living in England, sports mad Cormac, latter a student apprentice, remains an avid Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary fan, following their exploits constantly on line for sporting results. He is also the follower of a thriving hurling club in Warwickshire , London, attending matches at Ruislip and rarely misses matches in Semple Stadium, Thurles, and Croke Park, Dublin when back home visiting in Thurles. He supports Watford in soccer and Ireland in the Rugby and his hero is Hull City and Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long.
Cormac is son of Thurles native Gerry Molumby, (Right above) who was covering the Presidents event for the Nottingham Post and the Irish Press in the UK. Gerry also has organised St Patrick’s Day events in Nottingham now for more than a decade. Cormac’s Mother is London born, but of Irish parents; latter who hailed from Bandon (Her Dad) and Cork city (Her Mom). Gerry met Fiona first in London and as he says himself “The rest is history.”
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2024: €400.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments