Thurles Sarsfields ... 3-13 Loughmore-Castleiney ... 4-7: Veteran Eamon Walshe grabbed a hat-trick of goals as Thurles Sarsfields marched to the county hurling final in a thriller at Templemore yesterday.
It was Walshe's first start this year and his introduction could not have been more timely as he provided the cutting edge Thurles needed in the absence of the injured Johnny Enright. Walshe hit his first goal after eight minutes to establish Sarsfield's control.
But Loughmore substitute Pat McGrath sent a 70-metre free all the way to the net in the 24th minute. And three minutes later Derek Bourke added a second Loughmore goal to put them 2-5 to 1-5 ahead at the break.
Loughmore goals from Evan Sweeney and Pat McGrath in the second period were cancelled out by Walshe's second and third goals of the game.
And with the wind at their backs, Sarsfields were able to take their points as well and line up a final meeting with Mullinahone.
SCORERS: Sarsfields: E Walsh (3-0); C McIntyre (0-4); S Mason, G O'Grady (0-3 each); T Ruth, L Corbett, T Collins (0-1 each). Loughmore: E Sweeney (1-5); P McGrath (2-1); D Bourke (1-0); S Bohan (0-1).
