Aghabullogue withstand Thurles Sarsfields comeback to edge home in Munster IFC quarter-final

Aghabullogue: 0-20 (0-1-18) 

Thurles Sarsfields: 0-15 (0-3-9) 

A quick turnaround for Aghabullogue but they managed to get the job done against Tipperary outfit Thurles Sarsfields in the AIB Munster Club IFC quarter-final at Templetuohy on Sunday afternoon.

The Coachford-based outfit only won the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC title last Sunday.

They had the quality and nous to eke out a victory in this one. They led by 12 points at one stage in the second half, but it was cut down to four points. Aghabullogue always had an extra gear to prevail though. 

Their defence gave them the platform with some excellent performances from the likes of Dhani Merrick, Paul Dilworth and Shane Tarrant.

The forwards did the business up front in what was a collective effort in the attacking department.

Ray Keane’s side will take on Limerick winners Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan in the semi-final at a Cork venue in two weeks.

In front of a large Aghabullogue following, the team in green and white made a positive start with Luke Casey pointing after a minute.

Two wides were a source of frustration for Aghabullogue before Thurles Sarsfields drew level through Cian Stakelum. An old-fashioned toe poke over the bar.

After a sluggish enough start, the Cork side were starting to hit their straps. They kicked five of the next six points with Aaron O’Sullivan raising two lovely white flags, 0-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes.

The sides traded points before a sweet Paul Ring effort gave Aghabullogue a five-point advantage with seven minutes remaining in the half.

They tacked on three points on the trot before Thurles Sarsfields got their first score in 12 minutes when Matthew Kelly pointed.

Aghabullogue got the last score of the half when captain John Corkery bisected the posts, 0-12 to 0-4 at half-time.

The Muskerry men buttressed their lead two minutes into the second 30 minutes when Aaron O’Sullivan kicked over a two-pointer.

Thurles Sarsfields were not offering a lot in truth and a comeback didn't look likely at this stage.

Aghabullogue put together two unanswered points before Liam McCormack did get a two-point free followed by a pair of Cian Stakelum efforts, 0-16 to 0-8 with 10 minutes remaining.

Another Thurles Sarsfields orange flag, this time from Paddy Creedon did make things interesting.

Aidan Ryan and another McCormack free left Thurles Sarsfields four points behind until Colm Gillespie pointed to settle Aghabullogue after 55 minutes, 0-17 to 0-12.

The teams traded white flags before an Evan O’Sullivan free and a Bradley 45 made sure of the victory.

Another Creedon two-pointer was a mere consolation for Thurles Sarsfields.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: A O’Sullivan (1 2pt), M Bradley (0-1 f, 0-1 45) 0-4 each, L Casey (0-1 f), P O’Sullivan 0-3 each, J Corkery, C Gillespie 0-2 each, E O’Sullivan (f), P Ring 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields: L McCormack 0-6 (0-4 f, 1 2pt f), P Creedon 0-4 (2 2pt), C Stakelum 0-3, A Ryan, M Kelly 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: J Buckley; C Smyth, P Dilworth, D Merrick; P Ring, S Tarrant, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, A Murphy; P O’Sullivan, J Corkery (c), A O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey.

Subs: C O’Sullivan for P O’Sullivan, O O’Connell for B O’Sullivan (both 51), D Thompson for A O’Sullivan (61), T Long for J Corkery (63), J Lane for E O’Sullivan (65).

THURLES SARSFIELDS: L Cummins; C Fogarty, C Hayes, R Dwan; C Stapleton, J Armstrong, H Fogarty; A Ryan, K Costello (c); K Bracken, P Creedon, A Stakelum; C Stakelum, M Kelly, L McCormack.

Subs: M Cahill for J Armstrong (h-t), P Crone for K Bracken (48).

Referee: Jonathan Hayes (Limerick).