And now there are just four. Disappointing county quarter-finals have left four still standing; the semis will be Mid-North affairs with Sarsfields vs. Kilruane and Drom facing Nenagh.
Probably the most significant statement of the weekend came from Drom/Inch. With Liam Sheedy patrolling the sideline, Callanan and company hit five goals to overwhelm North champs, Kildangan. It was a sizzling performance from Drom who have planted themselves right back in the frame now after an insipid Mid campaign. They changed coach mid season, following their divisional exit to Sarsfields, and lured Sheedy on board for a tilt at the big one. On Sunday’s evidence, at least, it seems to have revitalised the team.
There was a sort of missionary zeal about Drom on Saturday that Kildangan couldn’t subdue. The goals underlined the mood. They had three lodged to the account by half time, Callanan credited with two, though there was a suspicion that the second might have got a David Butler touch on a mis-hit ‘65’. Seamus Butler planted the third off a Callanan feed.
They threatened goals on most attacks and not surprisingly added two more in the second half, David Butler – a cracking effort from a tight angle – and Michael Everard the hit-men. In general play Kildangan were doing okay but those goals were killers. Mind you some colleagues up North were suggesting that Kildangan’s inside defence has been a problem all year so perhaps it was no surprise that an attack spearheaded by Callanan would find the gaps.
In truth it wasn’t entirely a one-man show from Drom either with Callanan having plenty back-up from colleagues like David Collins, David Butler and Michael Everard in that attack. If they could get Micheal Butler back fit it would certainly strengthen a defence where I think Liam Ryan is consistently one of their best – he outscored his opponent, Lar Corbett, in the Mid semi!
I don’t think Kildangan need be too despondent, there are a lot of fine players in the side. The loss through suspension of Willie Connors was a major blow. Darragh Egan played his part and it was interesting to see a much-travelled Michael Ryan in the colours of the North champions. This is the ex-Tipp minor medalist of ’96 from Templederry who won All Ireland club medals with Portumna. He looked lost at full forward in the first half but hit a goal early in the second and added two points as he moved outfield to good effect.
Drom now prepare for a semi-final tilt with Nenagh, which is undoubtedly the pick of the semis. Nenagh clocked up an amazing twenty-seven points as they cruised past an out-classed Portroe in the first of Sunday’s quarter-finals. This was classic Nenagh with all the outfield skills on parade hitting points at will from a range of positions. The lack of a goal in their last two games might be a concern but they tend to revel more in the outfield space rather than having the cutting edge nearer the posts.
There was some expectation up North that Portroe would bring local rivalry to play in this contest but I suspect the space of the Stadium put paid to that. A colleague in the press box was reminding me of an interview he did with the great Sean Kenny years ago where the Borrisoleigh man suggested that country teams coming to Thurles often found the Stadium and its dimensions inhibiting. It’s an arena that will certainly expose weaknesses in a way that a parochial venue might not.
Up in Puckane they might have tripped up Nenagh but it was never likely in Tom Semple’s field. The gap was eight points at half time and despite a Jimmy Creamer goal on the turnover there was never going to be an upset in this one. Nenagh lost Donnacha Quinn early on with a suspected knee cruciate injury, but substitute, James Mackey, was faultless on the frees. Tommy Heffernan did a lot of damage too and Hugh Moloney was powerful in the air at number six. Daire Quinn hit a lot of ball from half back. Nenagh are definitely in the mix now though they’ll be slight outsiders against Drom in the semi.
A footnote on this one: near the end a young Portroe forward was yellow carded. Everyone around me agreed that it was a clear red card offence. Sensibly the Portroe management substituted the player immediately. Here’s the point: there may have been understandable sympathy for a team shipping a heavy defeat but there’s still no excuse for opting out on an incident like this; like the Johnny Coen decision in the All Ireland it makes a mockery of hurling’s justice system.
While Drom/Inch have laid down a marker in the championship Sarsfields still remain the team to beat. The reigning champs started slowly against a depleted Clonoulty but thereafter there was never any doubt about their progress.
It was always going to be a fraught occasion for Clonoulty who went in without a serious game since their West exit in July and had to pick from a depleted panel. There was no John O’Keeffe (suspended), Thomas Butler, Jason Forrestal – and Padraig Heffernan only came on for the second half. With all personnel on board they might have mounted a challenge; without so many it was going to be damage limitation.
John O’Neill did pick the Sarsfields’ defence for a goal right at the end but in truth the ‘Blues’ were comfortable throughout this one. They were a bubbly seven-up at half time and pushed on in the second to ease through without fuss.
Pa Bourke was the individual highlight for Sarsfields hitting eleven points, eight from play. His form has been on an upward curve all season, which is good news for the reigning champions. In truth though they had a wide spread of scorers with all starting forwards and the two midfielders hitting the target on Sunday. Then it’s not easy to penetrate a defence with the Mahers, Mickey Cahill and company patrolling.
For Clonoulty it closes off a forgettable season. They’ve surrendered local dominance to Annacarty and there’s a corresponding decline outside the division. Their six-in-a-row in the West is scant compensation for failing to make a county breakthrough during those seasons.
Sarsfields now face Kilruane MacDonaghs in the second of the semi-finals after the latter saw off the challenge of Eire Og Annacarty on Saturday. This was expected to be the tightest of the quarter-finals and while it did have the closest margin there was never much doubt about the outcome.
The MacDonaghs led by four at half time in a very low-key game. County minor, Cian Darcy, availed of a great Seamus Hennessy run early in the second half to finish a fine goal for the North men. Annacarty did respond with a Seanie Ryan strike but they never looked like retrieving the game.
It was a disappointing exit for Eire Og because they would have rightly felt that they had a great opportunity of making the last four. They were out of luck in the first half when Conor O’Brien did very well to funnel the ball back to his brother, Ronan, but the shot from close range soared over instead of under the bar. They needed that break.
They were still only four down at half time but it was always going away from them because Kilruane just seemed to have more quality as the game progressed. Again perhaps the Semple Stadium factor came into play where weaknesses tend to get exposed and it’s not as easy for a few individuals to cover over the cracks.
Still to their credit they were game to the end which is what you always expect from Annacarty. I like the hurling of Brian Fox who never seems to dip below his high standards – not unlike his dad, Kevin, in his day. Retaining the West will still be regarded as a satisfying return for the year though moving up another notch would have been even nicer.
For Kilruane it’s a tough draw now in the semis. Seamus Hennessy was a big contributor at midfield on Saturday. He’s the forgotten man of Tipperary hurling. He was part of that precocious minor crop of ‘06/’07 and in every sense epitomised the huge potential of that generation. However, injuries plagued his subsequent career, a dodgy knee effectively ending any prospect of a senior impact.
‘Buggy’ O’Meara was full forward and they played a deal of direct ball to him. He won a lot of it too though not much came off the possession. Still he’s a useful target man. His brother, Niall, plays half back to good effect. Ray McLoughney was noticeable too as was county minor, Cian Darcy, who hit 1-3. They’ve a decent team though hardly enough to bother Sarsfields.
Anyway after hugely disappointing quarter-finals we await something more inspiring in the semis on Sunday week.
