28th July 2010

Thurles Sarsfields’ Stephen Maher became a local legend on the pitch at Semple Stadium when he stormed to victory in the Crossbar Challenge at half time during the Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 Final, completing a double for Tipperary on Wednesday night.

Stephen stepped up to the mark when Clare representatives Kevin Lynch of Sixmilebridge and Graham Glynn of Eire Og missed the target after some close shaves.  He thrilled the crowd by smashing the target on his first try.  Clonoulty-Rossmore’s Paudie White was last up to the line, but he was not able to match Stephen’s challenge.

Each player, representing the clubs who played in their county U-21 hurling finals, was originally given three attempts to hit the crossbar with a sliotar from 21 yards.  MC Marty Morrissey gave Stephen’s rivals one more chance each to try and force a play off for the prize, but none was able to match his skill and he was presented with a prize of €500 worth of gear for his club.

Cork hurling legend Ger Cunningham, who is Bord Gáis Energy’s Sport Sponsorship Manager, said, “Stephen is our second local winner in this year’s crossbar challenge, with a player from Dublin’s Craobh Chiarain winning at Parnell Park in the Leinster Final.  He was a real crowd pleaser and we’re delighted to present him with €500 worth of gear for Thurles Sarsfields.  We have two more crossbar challenges left this year, at the Galway v Dublin semi final and at the All-Ireland Final, and hopefully another two clubs will finish the season with €500 worth of gear.”

 

Tags: Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Hurling U-21 Championship, Crossbar Challenge, Graham Glynn, Kevin Lynch, Munster Final, Paudie White, Semple Stadium, Stephen Maher