Tipperary SHC final: Sars capture 32nd title
October 15, 2012
Sarsfields' Michael O'Brien tackled by Johnny Ryan and Mike Costello of Drom & Inch during the Tipperary SHC Final at Thurles
Drom & Inch 2-15
County U21 Aidan McCormack scored 1-6 from play as Thurles Sarsfields unseated Drom & Inch to claim the Dan Breen Cup for a record 32nd time in front of nearly 7,000 spectators at Semple Stadium.
For Drom & Inch, who were crowned champions for the first time last year, it was their fourth final defeat in eight seasons, with three of those being suffered at the hands of their local rivals. While McCormack was a worthy man of the match, Drom & Inch's outstanding midfielder Johnny Ryan pushed him hard for the award with six of his nine points coming from play.
Drom & Inch's star forward Seamus Callanan bagged 1-3, but didn't have things all his own way against his county team-mate Michael Cahill.
After establishing an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead, the holders lost their way as Sars reeled off seven points in succession to lead 0-8 to 0-3. Drom recovered to trail by 0-7 to 0-11 before disaster struck on the stroke of half-time when McCormack netted to give the town side a 1-11 to 0-7 interval lead.
A goal 13 seconds after half-time from David Butler brought Drom back into it before Callanan grabbed their second goal in the 47th minute. When Callanan pointed Drom into a 2-14 to 1-16 lead with 10 minutes remaining, they looked set to retain their title, but Sars hit back with four unanswered points, including two frees from veteran midfielder Johnny Enright, to take the spoils.
Thurles Sarsfields - P McCormack; S Maher, K O'Gorman, David Maher; M Cahill, P Maher (0-1), D Kennedy; M Gleeson (0-2), J Enright (0-2); P Bourke (0-6), L Corbett, J Corbett (0-1); M O'Brien (0-2), Denis Maher (0-1), A McCormack (1-6). Subs: G O'Grady for J Corbett, J Maher for O'Brien, R Ruth for Enright, J Lawlor for Denis Maher.
Drom & Inch - D Young; E Costello, M Butler, M Costello; E Walsh, E Buckley, L Ryan; S Delaney, J Ryan (0-9); P Lupton, J Woodlock (0-1), S Callanan (1-3); S Butler (0-1), J Lupton, D Butler (1-1). Subs: P Stapleton for E Costello, P Kennedy for J Lupton, J Moloney for Delaney, K Butler for P Lupton, D Collins for Moloney.
Referee - F Horgan. Tweet
