Thurles Sarsfields find later winner to end extra-time heartache against Inagh-Kilnamona
Detailed summary
After years of extra-time heartache, Thurles Sarsfields came out on top in a titanic battle away to Clare champions Inagh-Kilnamona to reach their first Munster final since 2012.
After years of extra-time heartache, Thurles Sarsfields came out on top in a titanic battle away to Clare champions Inagh-Kilnamona to reach their first Munster final since 2012.
In a dramatic climax, Sars were readying 2010 All-Ireland winner Pa Bourke to come on for the impending penalty shoot-out. Instead, Denis Maher took a free from deep in his own half before the substitution could be made and Robbie Stapleton won the break to slot over the winner.
This was a third successive extra-time in Munster for Sars, but unlike their defeats to Ballygunner in 2016 and Ballyea in 2017, this one ended in scenes of joy.
The Tipperary club now face another clash with the Waterford kingpins, meeting them in the Munster final on November 29th.
Aidan McCormack led the way for the victors with 0-10, including a whopping seven from play, while substitute Stapleton scored three points from his three shots in extra-time.
Aidan McCarthy, who dragged his side back from the brink in normal time, ended with 0-11 in front of 3,983 spectators in Ennis.
Where Glen Rovers had erred against Inagh-Kilnamona in the quarter-final, Sars stuck to their defensive shape and defender Keith Loughnane did a fine job shackling the prolific McCarthy for most of the hour.
That platform helped the visitors take an early lead, with corner-forward Kieran Rossiter sticking back-to-back points. Paddy Creedon eked out the best goal chance of the day, but his one-handed swing found the side-netting.
Inagh-Kilnamona have more threats than McCarthy, with David Fitzgerald, Seán Rynne, and Conner Hegarty helping them to four points in a row for their first lead.
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