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Jake Morris was the star of the show for Nenagh Éire Óg. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Last Four Bound

Morris bag hat-trick as Nenagh dump out Thurles Sars and Kiladangan book Tipp semi-final spot

The 2018 and 2019 beaten finalists won their quarter-final clashes in Thurles today.

LAST UPDATE | Aug 29th 2020, 9:02 PM

THE LAST TWO beaten finalists in the Tipperary senior hurling championship are the first two teams to have booked spots in this year’s semi-finals after today’s quarter-final action.

Nenagh Éire Óg, who fell short in the 2018 decider, were inspired by a Jake Morris hat-trick as they pushed Thurles Sarsfields to the exit door, replicating their victory over the same side two years ago in a semi-final tie when their opponents were chasing five-in-a-row.

It finished 3-12 to 1-8 in favour of Nenagh Éire Óg while earlier in the day at Semple Stadium saw Kiladangan, who lost out in last season’s final, run out out 3-16 to 0-18 victors against Toomevara in their quarter-final game.

Nenagh Éire Óg laid all the foundations for their success in the opening period with Morris notching two goals in the opening ten minutes and completing his hat-trick before the break. Remarkably Thurles Sarsfields only scored a single point in the first half, the 3-7 to 0-1 interval deficit was indicative of the uphill struggle they faced.

It was too much for them to overcome despite Denis Maher’s goal helping them bridge the gap in the second half. They still were ten points adrift at the final whistle as Nenagh were deserving victors.

The weekend’s last eight action began when goals from Dan O’Meara, Willie Connors and Joe Gallagher proved crucial for Kiladangan in the meeting of two North Tipperary sides.

willie-connors Willie Connors hit the net for Kiladangan today. Lorraine O’Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O’Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

It was the second year in a row that Kiladangan saw off Toomevara at this juncture with the three green flags raised either side of the break proving crucial.

O’Meara sidestepped his marker to drive home the first goal in first-half injury time to leave Kiladangan in front 1-10 to 0-8 at the break. It was a major blow for Toomevara after they had cut the gap thanks to points from Kevin McCarthy and Jason Ryan.

Then the team managed by Eoin Brislane started the second half brightly with Jack Delaney leading their scoring charge as they moved within three points, 1-11 to 0-11.

However Kiladangan intervened with Connors seeing his 34th minute sideline cut fly all the way to the net and then Gallagher cut through to smash home the third strike in the 39th minute.

That left them in front 3-12 to 0-14 and while Toomevara chipped away at that deficit, Kiladangan held on. Free-taker Billy Seymour finished with 0-6, Paul Flynn struck 0-4 while Gallagher and Bryan McLoughney also scored a brace of points apiece. Toomevara finished with 13 men as Russell Quirke and Josh McCarthy were both dismissed for second yellow card offences in the closing stages.

The quarter-final action continues tomorrow with Clonoulty-Rossmore meeting Loughmore-Castleiney and champions Borris-Ileigh taking on Drom-Inch.

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