Stapleton seals dramatic Munster final berth for Thurles
Robbie Stapleton struck a last-gasp extra-time winner as Sarsfields edged Inagh-Kilnamona in a pulsating provincial semi-final. A crowd of 3,983 in Ennis watched the Tipperary champions prevail by a single point after Aidan McCarthy’s stirring comeback.
Thurles Sarsfields booked their first Munster club hurling final since 2012 as Robbie Stapleton snatched a late extra-time winner against Inagh-Kilnamona in Ennis.
The Tipperary champions prevailed 0-23 to 0-22 before 3,983 spectators at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, ending a run of extra-time heartbreak in their previous two Munster appearances. Ballygunner await in the final.
With a penalty shoot-out looming, Denis Maher took a free before Sars could introduce a group of substitutes that included Pa Bourke. Stapleton won the break and fired over his third point of extra-time to settle a gripping contest.
Aidan McCormack led the Thurles scoring with 0-10, including seven from play. Inagh-Kilnamona’s Aidan McCarthy finished with 0-11, having dragged the Clare champions back from four points down late in normal time.
McCarthy struck four points in four minutes to level, then answered McCormack’s stoppage-time score before a difficult last-gasp effort drifted wide. The sides had been level at 0-8 each at half-time.
Ronan Maher came off the Thurles bench in the second half after his recovery from a broken ankle, contributing a crucial block as Sars built their lead. Goalkeeper Éamonn Foudy’s second long-range free drew Inagh-Kilnamona level in extra-time, but Stapleton had the final say.