Pailing goal crucial
Sars take chances to beat Clongeen
SARSFIELDS’ ABILITY to put away their scoring chances proved decisive as they eventually went on to a deserved four-point victory over a battling Clongeen side in their All-County Football League Division 5 final in Clongeen on Friday.
While Clongeen were left to bemoan their erratic finishing, both from play and frees, Sarsfields midfielder Seán Pailing pounced for a 33rd-minute goal, a score that proved decisive as it separated the sides for the remainder of the game.
Having initiated the move in midfield, he eventually got on the end of a neat ball forward from Paul Gannon to beat advancing ‘keeper Ricky Rochford with a punched effort to the opposite corner of the net (1-6 to 0-4).
Clongeen continued to battle in their search for scores but their finishing was wild to say the least.
Even Jamesie Rochford was at odds with his free-taking as he put three scoreable attempts wide of the target, and the Sarsfields defence held firm despite intense pressure in the closing ten minutes.
Ian O’Leary proved crucial to the Sarsfields victory effort, having opened the scoring from a free after two minutes.
After Paul Gannon and Jamesie Rochford (free) went on to exchange points, O’Leary once again pointed a free from an acute angle.
Liam Murphy and Andrew Harrington (free) traded points, before Davy Whelan and a fine Ian O’Leary effort, this time from play, extended the Sarsfields lead to 0-5 to 0-3.
Clongeen had a bright spell of attacking play but they could only manage a Jamesie Rochford pointed free.
At the opposite end Adam Carroll kicked a fine point following a quick counter-attack, leaving Sarsfields leading by 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval.
Three minutes into the second-half came the crucial Sarsfields goal, but credit to Clongeen as they responded with points from Jamie O’Grady, coupled with a fine run and finish from centre-back Anton Stafford, reducing the deficit to 1-6 to 0-6.
Sarsfields continued to play some quality football as substitutes Seán O Corcora and Gary Carroll were on target with fine individual efforts, leaving them ahead by 1-8 to 0-6 entering the closing six minutes.
When further points from Ian O’Leary and a Colm O’Dowda ‘45 extended that lead even further, Sarsfields looked comfortable. They still had to withstand late Clongeen pressure that brought points through Jamie O’Grady and Páraic Curtis, but it was not enough to alter the result.
Sarsfields: Colm O’Dowda (0-1 ‘45); Tony Hennessy, Dáire Reville, Adam Roche; Colm O Corcora, David Gannon, Conall O Crualaoich; Paul Ganon (0-1), Seán Pailing (1-0); Adam Carroll (0-1), Ciarán Byrne, Andrew Harrington (0-1); John Clancy, Danny Walsh, Ian O’Leary (0-4, 2 frees). Subs. - Gary Carroll (0-1) for A. Carroll, Seán O Corcora (0-1) for Byrne, Seán Ryan for Harrington, Seán Banville for O’Leary.
Clongeen: Ricky Rochford; Tommy O’Gorman, Donal Whelan, Jamie Keating; Tom Donovan, Anton Stafford (0-1), Richard Rochford; Garrett Mahon, Leon Stafford; Páraic Curtis (0-1 free), Liam Murphy (0-1), Martin Delaney (0-1); Danny Whelan (0-1), Jamie O’Grady (0-2), Jamesie Rochford (0-2 frees). Subs. - Paul Casey for Mahon, Gary O’Brien for Murphy, Laurence Murphy for Casey.
Referee: Michael Gannon (Horeswood).