Éire Óg suffer one-point defeat in dramatic decider

Despite falling nine points behind in the opening half Éire Óg fought back manfully and pushed Thurles Sarsfields to the very limit – unfortunately the defending champions edged this dramatic contest with a late, late surge of scores.

Clean Ireland Recycling County
Senior Hurling Championship Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 3-11 Thurles Sarsfields 1-18

A Pearse Morris point presented Éire Óg with an initial lead before Aidan McCormack tied the game. Michael Heffernan forced Éire Óg back into a narrow lead, but Thurles Sarsfields surged clear when firing 1-2 without reply – Denis Maher, Pa Bourke (free) and Conor Lanigan (goal) were responsible for these efforts; the goal materialised in the seventh minute and helped Thurles into a 1-3 to 0-2 lead.

A Michael Heffernan free got Éire Óg moving in the right direction in the eighth minute, but further points from Lar Corbett and Conor Lanigan opened a five-point gap by the 11th. Another Michael Heffernan free cut the deficit to four, but Sarsfields were moving well and added points from Billy McCarthy, Aidan McCormack (two), Pa Bourke (free) and Denis Maher to lead 1-10 to 0-4 as early as the 20th minute.

Éire Óg needed a little encouragement and almost found a real tonic in the 14th minute when Pearse Morris created a goal-scoring opportunity for Shane Hennessy – unfortunately Hennessy’s effort flew wide of Paddy McCormack’s goal.

We have come to associate a huge spirit with this group of Éire Óg hurlers and the lads responded terrifically to the challenge posed by Thurles Sarsfields.

A Tommy Heffernan point set the Blues on their way before Pearse Morris was fouled for a penalty which Barry Heffernan fired home in the 23rd minute. Seconds later Michael Heffernan rifled home a left-hand shot following good work from Andrew Coffey and Éire Óg now trailed by two (2-5 to 1-10).

A point from Michael Heffernan in the 25th minute cut the deficit to one and although a Pa Bourke free helped Thurles into a 1-11 to 2-6 interval lead Éire Óg had now established themselves as a real force in this contest.

Second Half

The sides traded wides during the frantic opening minutes of the second half before Conor Lanigan forced Sarsfields into a 1-12 to 2-6 lead in the 38th minute. Éire Óg responded once more and out-scored Thurles by four points to one between the 42nd and 47th minutes – Pearse Morris, James Mackey (two) and Andrew Coffey were responsible for these efforts.

With thirteen minutes to play the sides were level (2-10 to 1-13).

To their credit Thurles Sarsfields hit back with points from Pa Bourke (’65) and Denis Maher (two) to take a three-point lead (2-10 to 1-16). Indeed, the Sarsfields lead could have been significantly greater, but Michael McNamara saved well from the raiding Billy McCarthy in the 49th minute.

Éire Óg needed to respond and did so in terrific style in the 53rd minute when James Mackey conjured a terrific reverse pass to send Andrew Coffey racing through on goal – Coffey made no mistake when rifling home past a helpless Paddy McCormack (3-10 to 1-16).

Between the 20th and 53rd minutes Éire Óg had out-scored Thurles 3-6 to 0-6 and must have been fancied to carry that momentum into the closing minutes. Sarsfields, however, showed real pedigree and seized the initiative. Aidan McCormack demanded an excellent save from Michael McNamara in the 53rd minute before points from Stephen Cahill and Lar Corbett helped their side into a 1-18 to 3-10 advantage.

Dáire Quinn hit back with a superb point for Éire Óg in the 57th minute, but despite a ferocious effort from Liam Heffernan’s men Thurles Sarsfields clung on to win the club’s 34th county title (the club’s sixth since 2005).

Best of luck to Thurles

The Nenagh Éire Óg club would like to wish Thurles Sarsfields all the very best in their up-coming Munster club championship campaign. Thurles are scheduled to face Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh in the provincial semi-finals.

Thanks

The Nenagh Éire Óg club would like to thank the senior panel of players for the magnificent manner in which they have represented the town, the club, their families and, especially, themselves this year.

A special mention must go to the management team led by manager Liam Heffernan; Nenagh Éire Óg were coached by John Fitzgerald (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick) while Eddie Tucker, Donie O’Brien and Brian McDonnell acted as selectors.

Manager Liam Heffernan surrounded his players with a terrific support team and our sincere thanks goes to them – Matt Lillis (logistics), Liam Quinn (first aid), Noreen Ryan (first aid), Paul Ryan (physiotherapist), Paul O’Farrell (doctor), Eugene McGovern (strength & conditioning coach), Natal O’Grady (goalkeeping coach) and Enda O’Sullivan (video analysis). Thanks too to Enda Costello, John Tooher, Noel Coffey, Éanna Costello, Derek Lillis, Mark Long, Cian Tucker, Paul Lillis and Eddie Sheary for their invaluable support and tireless work.

Of course none of this would be possible without the support of the club officers and the club committee. Club chairman Jim Nagle, treasurer Séamus Cleary and secretary Anne Kennedy have worked tirelessly this year to help the team succeed.

Everyone associated with the senior team are also eager to highlight the support they received from the juvenile and Camogie sections of the club. Indeed, the senior group were also delighted by the support received from the people of Nenagh during the campaign.

Match Details

Nenagh Éire Óg: Michael McNamara, Mark Flannery, Noel Maloney, John Brennan, Conor Ryan, Hugh Maloney, Barry Heffernan (1-0, 1-0 penalty), Dáire Quinn (0-1), Michael Heffernan (1-4, 0-2 frees), Pearse Morris (0-2), Paddy Murphy, Andrew Coffey (1-1), Killian Gleeson, Tommy Heffernan (0-1), Shane Hennessy. Subs: (29th) James Mackey (0-2) for Shane Hennessy, (37th) Billy Heffernan for Killian Gleeson, (57th) Philip Hickey for Pearse Morris.

Remaining Panel Members: John Cahalan, Michael Collins, Brian Darcy, Kevin Flynn, Adam Gratton, Michael Hallinan, Gary Howard, Alan Kelly, Niall Madden, Shane Maher, Donnacha Quinn, Paul Ryan & Kevin Tucker.

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams).

2015 Championship Campaign

County Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 3-11 Thurles Sarsfields 1-18
County Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 1-20 Drom & Inch 2-16 aet
County Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Nenagh Éire Óg 0-27 Portroe 1-12
County Senior Hurling Championship Last Sixteen
Nenagh Éire Óg 1-21 Roscrea 0-10
County Senior Hurling Championship Group Phase
Nenagh Éire Óg 1-18 Clonoulty-Rossmore 2-14
Nenagh Éire Óg 1-30 Ballina 0-7
Nenagh Éire Óg 0-20 Templederry Kenyons 1-19

County Final History

2015 Nenagh Éire Óg 3-11 Thurles Sarsfields 1-18
2013 Nenagh Éire Óg 1-16 Loughmore-Castleiney 1-17
2006 Nenagh Éire Óg 2-14 Toomevara 1-21
1999 Nenagh Éire Óg 0-13 Toomevara 1-17
1995 Nenagh Éire Óg 2-25 Boherlahan-Dualla 2-8
1993 Nenagh Éire Óg 1-13 Toomevara 1-14

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