Munster SHC: Ballyea defeat Thurles in a thriller
Tony Kelly scored 1-10 for Ballyea.
Munster SHC Semi-Final
Ballyea (Clare) 4-18 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 1-22
After extra-time
Tony Kelly scored 1-10 as Ballyea staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Thurles Sarsfields at Cusack Park, Ennis.
Thurles Sarsfields led by seven points with eight minutes of normal time remaining, but Ballyea, who won their first Clare SHC title a week ago, came storming back.
Kelly was immense, while Clare’s All Star Football nominee Gary Brennan forced extra-time grabbing a brilliant last gasp goal.
Despite leaking two goals in the first six minutes, Thurles Sarsfields responded impressively departing at the break 1-11 to 2-4 in front.
Ballyea got off to a flying start with a fourth minute Tony Kelly goal from a penalty followed by a major from Pearse Lillis, who was causing Thurles plenty of problems.
The Tipperary standard bearers, though, with Padraic Maher effective at centre back replied and were assisted by a fortuitous 13th minute Aidan McCormack goal.
That came during a Sarsfields burst in which they struck 1-6 without reply as McCormack and Pa Bourke were sharp in attack.
Niall Deasy ended an 18 minute search for a Ballyea score, but Thurles still went in four points ahead at the turnaround.
Lar Corbett and Jack Browne during the contest at Cusack Park, Ennis.
When the action recommenced Pa Bourke continued to be effective for Thurles, who led by 1-15 to 2-6 at the three quarter mark.
In the closing stages Kelly narrowed the gap with a string of delightful points before Brennan’s critical intervention.
It was a thrilling encounter with Ballyea, inspired by Kelly, outscoring Thurles 1-3 to 0-2 in the first period of extra-time with Damien Burke netting a 67th minute goal.
A wonderful match remained packed with incident as Padraic Maher rattled the Ballyea in the 75th minute net to draw Sarfields level.
But Ballyea stayed cool under pressure as Niall Deasy landed a free and a 65 to seal victory for the Clare outfit.
**Scorers for Ballyea: **T Kelly 1-10 (1-0 pen, 3fs, 165), N Deasy 0-5 (3fs, 165), P Lillis 1-1, D Burke 1-1, G Brennan 1-0, P Connolly 0-1.
Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields: P Bourke 0-9 (6fs), A McCormack 1-4, P Maher 1-0, T Doyle 0-3, C Lanigan 0-2, R Maher 0-1, J Maher 0-1, M O’Brien 0-1, S Cahill 0-1.
Waterford SFC Final
The Nire 1-17 Ballinacourty 0-8
The Nire were always in control in the second half as they reclaimed the Waterford SFC title.
At half-time The Nire led by 0-6 to 0-5, but Liam Lawlor and Conor Gleeson impressed after the restart.
In the closing stages Darren Guiry added an insurance goal for The Nire.
