Connors earns Kiladangan a replay against Thurles in Tipperary SHC final

Tipperary SHC Thurles Sarsfields 0-22 Kiladangan 1-19

An injury time point by former Tipp senior Willi Connors earned Kiladangan a replay after a closely contested Tipperary senior hurling final against championship specialists Thurles Sarsfields at Semple Stadium.

In a contest in which Sarsfields, seeking their 37th title, made the running most of the way, Kiladangan were always on their heels and deserved a second chance to win their second title.

Sarsfields had a slight edge in the first half and led 0-11 to 0-10 with Aidan McCormack shooting five points and Stephen Cahill two, while Billy Seymour and Sean Hayes were Kiladangan's top marksmen with two points each.

Sarsfields had pushed three points clear after 43 minutes,(0-16 to 0-13) when Paul Flynn levelled for Kiladangan with the only goal of the game. Sarsfields quickly regained the initiative and had a point lead as the game moved into injury time but then Connors pounced for a great equaliser for Kiladangan to send the tie to a replay.

There was little between the sides all through with Ronan Maher outstanding for Sarsfields ably assisted by Stephen Cahill, Denis Maher, Aidan McCormack, Darragh Stakelum and James Armstrong.

Paul Flynn was top performer for Kiladangan with Declan McGrath, James Quigley, Sean Hayes, Joe Gallagher, and Alan Flynn not far behind.

Thurles Sarsfields: P McCormack; P Maher, D Maher, S Maher; J Armstrong, R Maher, M Purcell; S Cahill (0-03), C Moloney; P Creedon, C Stakelum (0-02), B McCarthy (0-01); D Stakelum (0-03), A McCormack (0-11,9fs), E Purcell (0-01)

Subs: S Butler (0-01) for McCarthy(46mins), D Corbett for Creedon(53mins)

Kiladangan: B Hogan; J O Meara, J Quigley, F Hayes; D Sweeney J Gallagher (0-01), D McGrath (0-01); T Gallagher,