THE NATIONALIST
Saturday 20th September 2003

Killenaule bow out despite Brave second-half-rally

County Senior Hurling Qualifier

Thurles Sarsfields 3-12, Killenaule 1-14

• Having rammed home three goals in the opening ten minutes to threaten an absolute whitewash of Killenaule, Thurles Sarsfields had it all to do to fend off a staunch second half rally from the young South side before deservedly clinching a four-point win in the Credit Unions County Senior Hurling Qualifier at Boherlahan on Sunday evening last.
  
  A case of mission accomplished for the Blues, but a clear message entailed that the side must step up considerably on this form if they are to advance their hopes of the elusive county title. Having punished inexperienced Killenaule badly in the opening eleven minutes as they waltzed into a 3-4 to 0-1 lead, they should have put the game well and truly out of the challengers reach.
  
  However, a combination of alarming slackness on the Blues part and never-say-die spirit from the men in red and yellow resulted in a most interesting second half. Sarsfields turned over eight points to the good (3-8 to 1-6) but poor finishing on their part saw them struggle through the second-half, with Killenaule outscoring them by four points (0-8 to 0-4) to set up a gripping finish. Only three points separated the sides at the end of normal time before county player Lar Corbett popped over the insurance score in 32nd minute. Tony Doyle tried for a goal from a last minute 21 metre free but his shot was stopped and cleared.
  
  It's often difficult to maintain supremacy after building up a massive lead in the early stages of a game and Sarsfields certainly fell into this trap, having set themselves up for what ought to have been a comfortable passage. And while they always kept their noses in front with scores at crucial stages of the second-half they were not sorry to hear referee Johnny McDonnell sound the final whistle.
  
  Sarsfields were extremely wary of the Killenaule challenge going into this game, given that the South representatives had in their ranks ten of the U/21 side victorious over the Blues in the county final. Killenaule's plucky second-half display did not come as a great shock to the Thurles side, therefore, but it did reveal chinks in the winners' armour that will need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. In the heel of the reel Sarsfields' greater experience as underlined in the performances of defender Brendan Carroll, and midfielder Eddie Enright in the second half, fully compensated for their lapses, while Killenaule were left to rue some appalling finishing, having taken the game to the Blues right through the period.
  
  The winners will reflect with satisfaction on a most productive opening period when they truly laid the foundations for their success. They clicked into scoring mood right from the start of a well-attended game played in gorgeous autumn sunshine. Bearing several changes from the Mid final outfit they were leading 0-3 to 0-1 after seven minutes when the first of their three goals arrived.
  
  Brendan Carroll drove a long ball into Lar Corbett and the lively corner-forward exposed the Killenaule defence to finish with precision. A minute later they went on the rampage again for Shane Ryan to set up Eoin Costello, and he crashed the sliotar to the rigging. Killenaule were stunned, and to add to their misery Ger Redser O'Grady crashed home a close-in free to send his side into a 3-3 to 0-1 lead. Lar Corbett fired over a point, and the Blues were threatening to annihilate their rivals.
  
  Killenaule took some remedial action and their determination and ability soon compensated to a great degree for their lack of experience. County U/21 player Michael Farrell tapped over a point and ten minutes from the break gave his side renewed hope when he banged home a goal. The score gave the side a real confidence boost as illustrated in the move involving Joe Ceaser, Tony Doyle (who had moved from the attack to centre back) and Damien Gleeson, that led to a smart score from Jonathan Gleeson (3-4 to 1-3).
  
  Sarsfields continued to hold the whip hand, however, with Eoin Costello, Ger O'Grady, Lar Corbett and Johnny Enright (free) all on target as they moved into a comfortable 3-8 to 1-6 lead, Killenaule goalie Conor O'Donnell preventing a fourth goal with a good save from O'Grady. Killenaule's scores before the break came from Tony Shelly (0-2 frees) and Declan Fanning, who figured prominently when he moved to centre forward.
  
  Both sides chalked up some terrible bad wides in the early stages of the second half and in this respect Killenaule are left with huge regrets. They struck nine wides having put it right up the fancied Thurles men, and their inability to breach the strong
  
  Sarsfields defence for a goal also cost them dearly. They only managed a point from play in the second period, that coming in the early minutes from top scorer Tony Shelly, but his accuracy from frees and the deadly marksmanship of Tony Doyle from two long-distance efforts ensured that the margin was reduced to three points with normal time virtually up.
  
  To Sarsfields credit they used their vast experience more than once to get them out of tight corners and their defence, solid to a man blotted out chances of a Killenaule goal with Brian O'Grady Stephen Mason and Tommy Maher making vital clearances. Eddie Enright dropped back from midfield to make some relieving clearances.
  
  Michael Farrell, on receiving a pass from Kenneth Bergin, was unlucky with a goal chance after 38 minutes while goalie Patrick McCormack came to the rescue of Sarsfields with a good save from Joe Ceaser ten minutes from the end. While Sars had a poor return from play in the second-half, having squandered early chances of putting the game well out of the challengers reach significantly, Ger O'Grady, Johnny Enright and Lar Corbett answered Killenaule scores at crucial stages.
  
  Having made life difficult for themselves in an encounter they should have dominated after the goal blitz, Sarsfields will be glad to have this game out of their system and are well aware of the expectations resting on their shoulders as they face into a quarter final. Their defence held firm in the face of the second-half onslaught, Lee Shanahan whipping balls out of the danger zone regularly. Eddie Enright worked tirelessly right through the game, his experience crucial, while Ger Redser O'Grady, Lar Corbett and Eoin Costello snatched the bulk of the scores with Wayne Culley and Johnny Enright contributing important scores from frees.
  
  Killenaule had mixed emotions after the game, pleased to have redeemed themselves after the early rout, while disappointed to have spurned so many second-half chances with a great opportunity of a memorable victory on the cards. They shot fourteen wides in total. From their point of view the display was another encouraging sign for the future of a very young side. The entire defence did trojan work in an effort to contain the Sarsfields attack in the second half with Noel O'Grady outstanding. Tony Shelly contributed nine points of his side's total (07 frees) while Tony Doyle, Declan Fanning, Michael Farrell, Keith Kennedy and Philip Blake were busy during the side's revival.
  
  Thurles Sarsfields: P McCormack; B O'Grady, T Maher, T Connolly; L Shanahan, S Mason, B Carroll; E Enright (0-1), W Culley (0-2); J Enright. (03), G O'Grady (1-2), T Ruth; E Costello (1-1), S Ryan, L Corbett (1-3). .Subs: M O'Dowd, E Tuohy, E Walshe.
  
  Killenaule: C O'Donnell; J O'Dwyer, N O'Grady, P Kennedy; K Cleary, D Fanning (0-1), K Kennedy; J Ceaser, P Blake; M Farrell (1-1), 1 Doyle (0-2), T Shelly (0-9); K Bergin, D. Gleeson, J Gleeson (0-1). Subs: V Hannigan, R Maher, P Kerwick.
  
  Referee: J. McDonnell (Roscrea).