{"id":4249,"date":"2015-10-25T19:47:17","date_gmt":"2015-10-25T19:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/?p=4249"},"modified":"2015-10-26T10:04:08","modified_gmt":"2015-10-26T10:04:08","slug":"eire-og-suffer-one-point-defeat-in-dramatic-decider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/eire-og-suffer-one-point-defeat-in-dramatic-decider\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00c9ire \u00d3g suffer one-point defeat in dramatic decider"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Despite falling nine points behind in the opening half \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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.
\n
\nClean Ireland Recycling County
\nSenior Hurling Championship Final
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 3-11 Thurles Sarsfields 1-18<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Pearse Morris point presented \u00c9ire \u00d3g with an initial lead before Aidan McCormack tied the game. Michael Heffernan forced \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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.<\/p>\n

A Michael Heffernan free got \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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.<\/p>\n

\u00c9ire \u00d3g 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\u2019s effort flew wide of Paddy McCormack\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n

We have come to associate a huge spirit with this group of \u00c9ire \u00d3g hurlers and the lads responded terrifically to the challenge posed by Thurles Sarsfields. <\/p>\n

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 \u00c9ire \u00d3g now trailed by two (2-5 to 1-10).<\/p>\n

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 \u00c9ire \u00d3g had now established themselves as a real force in this contest.<\/p>\n

Second Half
\n<\/strong>
\nThe 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. \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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. <\/p>\n

With thirteen minutes to play the sides were level (2-10 to 1-13).<\/p>\n

To their credit Thurles Sarsfields hit back with points from Pa Bourke (\u201965) 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.<\/p>\n

\u00c9ire \u00d3g 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).<\/p>\n

Between the 20th and 53rd minutes \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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.<\/p>\n

D\u00e1ire Quinn hit back with a superb point for \u00c9ire \u00d3g in the 57th minute, but despite a ferocious effort from Liam Heffernan\u2019s men Thurles Sarsfields clung on to win the club\u2019s 34th county title (the club\u2019s sixth since 2005).<\/p>\n

\n

\"Parade\"

Joint-captain Paddy Murphy pictured leading the \u00c9ire \u00d3g senior hurling team during the pre-match parade at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday afternoon. For a whole series of photographs from Sunday\u2019s county final please click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n
\n

Best of luck to Thurles<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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.<\/p>\n

Thanks<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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.<\/p>\n

A special mention must go to the management team led by manager Liam Heffernan; Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g were coached by John Fitzgerald (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick) while Eddie Tucker, Donie O\u2019Brien and Brian McDonnell acted as selectors.<\/p>\n

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\u2019Farrell (doctor), Eugene McGovern (strength & conditioning coach), Natal O\u2019Grady (goalkeeping coach) and Enda O\u2019Sullivan (video analysis). Thanks too to Enda Costello, John Tooher, Noel Coffey, \u00c9anna Costello, Derek Lillis, Mark Long, Cian Tucker, Paul Lillis and Eddie Sheary for their invaluable support and tireless work.<\/p>\n

Of course none of this would be possible without the support of the club officers and the club committee. Club chairman Jim Nagle, treasurer S\u00e9amus Cleary and secretary Anne Kennedy have worked tirelessly this year to help the team succeed. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Match Details<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g:<\/strong> Michael McNamara, Mark Flannery, Noel Maloney, John Brennan, Conor Ryan, Hugh Maloney, Barry Heffernan (1-0, 1-0 penalty), D\u00e1ire 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.<\/p>\n

Remaining Panel Members:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Referee: <\/strong>Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams).<\/p>\n

2015 Championship Campaign<\/strong><\/p>\n

County Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 3-11 Thurles Sarsfields 1-18
\nCounty Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 1-20 Drom & Inch 2-16 aet
\nCounty Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 0-27 Portroe 1-12
\nCounty Senior Hurling Championship Last Sixteen
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 1-21 Roscrea 0-10
\nCounty Senior Hurling Championship Group Phase
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 1-18 Clonoulty-Rossmore 2-14
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 1-30 Ballina 0-7
\nNenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 0-20 Templederry Kenyons 1-19<\/p>\n

County Final History<\/strong><\/p>\n

2015 Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 3-11 Thurles Sarsfields 1-18
\n2013 Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 1-16 Loughmore-Castleiney 1-17
\n2006 Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 2-14 Toomevara 1-21
\n1999 Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 0-13 Toomevara 1-17
\n1995 Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 2-25 Boherlahan-Dualla 2-8
\n1993 Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g 1-13 Toomevara 1-14 <\/p>\n

\n

The Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g Club Lotto represents the club\u2019s key fundraising initiative.<\/p>\n

Please consider supporting the Blues by playing our club lotto online: click here!<\/a><\/p>\n

Just watch how far we can stretch your \u20ac2!<\/p>\n

Alternatively you can also support Nenagh \u00c9ire \u00d3g by paying your club membership<\/a>. Membership for 2015 is now due and can be paid to any club officer or online<\/a>. The cost of membership is priced at \u20ac25.<\/p>\n

Help us to make the dreams of our players come through!
\n<\/strong>
\nIf you need to contact \u00c9ire \u00d3g please do so via our Contact<\/a> page. You can also keep in touch by accessing our Facebook<\/a> page or by following @nenagheireog<\/a> on Twitter.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Despite falling nine points behind in the opening half \u00c9ire \u00d3g 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4250,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0},"categories":[6,5,53],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4249"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4249"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4255,"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4249\/revisions\/4255"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nenagheireog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}