Underfoot conditions did not lend themselves to quality hurling but the sides gave it everything and it wasn't until the closing stages that the Thurles lads pulled sufficiently clear to give some panel members a run.
Upperchurch-Drombane did not deserve a nine points defeat, but they could not argue with the outcome, as Sarsfields carried far too much power, with their attack in particular, despite some frustrating lapses in shooting, always threatening far more than the challengers. Significantly, all but two of the Upperchurch points came from frees.
The first half was a close fought affair, with scores being swapped throughout, and neither side really stamping its authority on proceedings. Sars had the edge, but a number of missed chances from play and frees, spoiled their efforts, and at the break they led by just one point, 0-6 to 0-5. Pa Bourke hit four of those six, John Joe Bourke and Michael Gleeson getting the others, while Paul Ryan (3) and Colm Ryan (2), accounted for Upperchurch's tally.
All to play for at the break, but in the second half, Sarsfields turned up the heat, with a hitherto rather quiet Aidan McCormack being the man of the moment. He followed his eighth minute point with a goal two minutes later, after Pa Bourke had made the decisive run in from the right. This put Sarsfields five points clear, and one felt they were not going to be caught.
So it was. McCormack (2) and Pa Bourke added to Sarsfields tally after Colm Ryan had opened Upperchurch's second half account with an 11th minute point. Two further points from the Upperchurch free-taker kept his side in touch but Sars were in control, responding with points by McCormack and Michael Gleeson.
Upperchurch needed a goal to ignite their challenge but the nearest they got was when a Colm Ryan low hit free in the 20th minute, led to a scramble in the Sarsfields goalmouth which eventually ended with the ball going wide.
Sarsfields finished with a flourish, Gleeson and McCormack(2) pointing and Pa Bourke having a great goal effort bravely saved by the advance of Peter Ryan in the Upperchurch goal.
So Thurles move on to face Drom-Inch in the Mid final this week-end but with plenty of room for improvement, particularly with their finishing in front of goal. The extra midweek match they had against Loughmore certainly stood to them on Sunday last where the key performers were Kevin O Gorman, Stephen Maher, Michael Cahill, Padraig Maher, Michael Gleeson, Aidan McCormack, Cian Treacy, and Pa Bourke.
Most of this Upperchurch side have a few years in this grade yet and will be a force to be reckoned with next term. The lack of championship action in recent weeks did not help them, but James Barry, Joe Maguire, Colm Ryan, Matt Greene, and goalie Peter Ryan all had big games.

Sarsfields - Bill McCormack; Pa Dunne, Kevin O Gorman, Stephen Maher; Michael Cahill, Patrick Leahy, David Maher; Michael Gleeson (0-2), Padraig Maher; Aidan McCormack (1-5), John Joe Bourke (0-1), Denis Maher; Pa Bourke (0-5). Conor Moloney, Cian Treacy; Subs- Michael Russell for J J Bourke; J P Dwan for Moloney; Tommy Doyle for P Bourke;
Upperchurch-Drombane - Peter Ryan; Michael Ryan, Matthew Greene, Eugene Bourke; Ailbe O Donoghue, James Barry, Sean Harty; Tommy Bourke, Joe Maguire; Padraig Greene, Colm Ryan (0-5), Seamus Armstrong; Colm Stapleton, Tommy Keane, Paul Ryan (0-3); Sub - Aidan Brett for M Ryan;
Referee- Tom McGrath, Loughmore-Castleiney.