Munster Hurling/Tipperary: Despite leading by 17 points early in the second half, Thurles Sarsfields only had five points to spare, 2-19 to 2-14, at the end of an incident- packed senior hurling semi-final with Loughmore-Castleiney at Thurles yesterday.

The Thurles side ran their opponents ragged with a blistering first-half display to lead 1-15 to 0-4 at the break.

Sarsfields added another goal two minutes into the second half, but Loughmore settled. After three unanswered points, Séamus Bohan netted in the 15th minute and Loughmore added another five points without reply before Noel Morris goaled in the 25th minute leaving only five points between the teams. In a nail-biting finish, Sarsfields clung on.

SCORERS - Sarsfields: J Enright (0-10), L Corbett (1-3), P Lawlor (1-0); R Ruth, W Culley (0-2 each), G O Grady, S Lillis (0-1 each). Loughmore-Castleiney: E Sweeney (0-8), N Morris (1-3), S Bohan (1-0), T King (0-2), M Gleeson (0-1).

In the other semi-final, Séamus Butler was an inspiring figure as Drom-Inch powered their way past Eire Óg, Nenagh, 2-17 to 0-14. Nenagh led 0-9 to 0-6 at the break, but had no answer to goals from Butler and Séamus Callanan in the second period.

SCORERS - Drom-Inch: S Butler (1-10), S Callanan (1-1), M Butler (0-3), J Woodlock (0-2), E Buckley (0-1). Nenagh: K Tucker (0-6), J Kennedy, E Tucker, N Moloney (0-2 each); P Ryan, D O'Meara (0-1 each).

WATERFORD: Waterford star Paul Flynn scored two goals to ensure Ballygunner's passage into the hurling final at the expense of Lismore - 2-15 to 1-16 - in Dungarvan yesterday.

In a competitive affair, played in front of a large attendance, the Gunners claimed victory by two points to set up a meeting with De La Salle in the final on October 16th.

In the Waterford senior football semi-final yesterday at the same venue, The Nire advanced by defeating Eastern side Rathcormack, 1-9 to 0-8.