Goals from Burke and Corbett see Thurles through

Thurles Sarsfields (Tipp) 2-12 Kilmallock (Limerick) 0-15:WHEN MIDFIELDER Paudie O'Brien struck three superb points in as many minutes after the start it seemed Kilmallock might spring a big surprise in the Munster championship but Tipperary champions, Thurles Sarsfield, held their nerve in the thrilling last five minutes to prevail.

Goals from Pa Burke and Lar Corbett at crucial stages in each half proved crucial. Tipperary star Pádraic Maher had a superb hour for Thurles and his first-half display ensured none of the Kilmallock forwards managed a score.

Kilmallock still managed to be only five points in arrears at the break, 1-7 to 0-5, as Thurles struck six wides when aided by the breeze. Thurles also had good displays from David Kennedy, Michael Gleeson and Johnny Enright.

Eoin Ryan shined for Kilmallock, scoring six points but missed from frees at a crucial stage in the second half, while Bryan O’Sullivan and Gavin O’Mahony worked hard in defence.

Corbett opened the scoring inside 20 seconds but O’Brien replied with three points for Kilmallock. Two points by Burke, one from a free, had it level after eight minutes and it was 0-4 each after 15 minutes. Then came Burke’s goal with a perfect strike from a 21-yard free and two frees were pointed by Johnny Enright.

Kilmallock responded after the restart with points by Eoin Ryan, Shane O’Donnell and Paudie O’Dwyer. Corbett and Ryan swopped scores and a second point by Shane O’Donnell left only one between them after 38 minutes.

After Johnny Enright pointed another free came Corbett’s goal as he ghosted past the defence.

Kilmallock had three unanswered points to make it a one -point game again after 52 minutes and in a hectic finish Kilmallock squandered a glorious goal chance before Michael O’Brien and Pa Bourke (free) gave the Tipp side victory.

THURLES SARSFIELDS: P McCormack; S Maher, K OGorman, David Maher; D Kennedy, P Maher, M Cahill; M Gleeson, J Enright 0-3 (3 frees); P Burke 1-5 (1-3 frees), J Corbett, L Corbett (1-2); M OBrien (0-1), Denis Maher (0-1), A McCormack. Subs: B OMeara for S Maher (23 mins), G OGrady for J Corbett (42 mins), J Maher for Enright (47 mins), R Ruth for A McCormack (57 mins).

KILMALLOCK: B Hennessy; L Hurley, P OLoughlin, K OMahony; L Walshe, G OMahony, B OSullivan; R Egan (0-1), P OBrien (0-3); J Mulcahy, P ODwyer (0-1), E Ryan (0-6, four frees); G Mulcahy, K ODonnell (0-1), S ODonnell (0-3). Subs: K Kennelly for J Mulcahy (48 mins).

Referee: C Lyons (Cork).