Hard luck to our U-19 hurlers who went down to Thurles Sarsfields in last nights Mid semi-final. For many it was a maiden visit to Toor to play on the Sars new field. And what a beautiful surface it is. We wish them well in their new surroundings. And it was the home side who settled best as they raced into an early 0-5 to 0-1 lead which quickly extended to 0-8 to 0-2. But Brackens sweeper system was slowly but surely getting to grips with the star-studded Sars attack and their hard work drew a number of frees. Darragh Doyles free-taking was on the money and by the break the lead was down to three at 0-11 to 0-8. And as they second half wore on the spaces opened up and Brackens landed some beautiful scores from play through Jack Nevin, Conor Cadell, Darragh Doyle and Joe Bourke. The blues finally broke our inside rearguard to land the opening major just before the second water break to leave them four up. But Brackens were not going away and Michael Cahill's injury time goal tied the game. But the last chance came to Thurles and the lads fell to an agonising one point defeat. They worked tirelessly throughout and were desperately unlucky to come away empty-handed. Footnote: Referee Sean Everard had the final score as 1-20 to 1-18 as opposed to a number of other scorekeepers who had 1-19 to 1-18. Thanks to all players and management for their efforts.

Team and Scorers: Tom Bourke Paddy Moloney Diarmuid Delaney Jamie Bergin Michael Delaney Stephen Cahill Jack Nevin (0-1) Conor Cadell (0-1) James Ryan Luke Ormond James Corcoran Niall Moloney Joe Bourke (0-1) Darragh Doyle ( 0-15, 13f ) Michael Cahill (1-0). Subd Used: Sean Collier for Michael Delaney.