Harrington’s late free earns newcomers Sars share of spoils

ANDREW HARRINGTON converted a free just over four minutes into added time to give youthful newcomers Sarsfields the draw their determined efforts deserved in this Enniscorthy Farm Systems Junior football championship Group A meeting in Monamolin on Sunday.

A Castletown team laced with seasoned Senior campaigners such as George Sunderland, Andy Merrigan and Frank Roche were favoured to win, having only bowed out at the semi-final stage to the eventual outright victors in the previous two campaigns.

However, last year’s Junior ‘A’ champions matched them every step of the way, with Paul Gannon’s well-taken goal giving the Sars a 1-3 to 0-3 lead after 22 minutes even though they were against the wind.

Castletown did improve in the spell before the interval, and unanswered points from Sunderland, Ross Bealin and Marc Halpin left the teams on level terms at half-time.

Gary Carroll’s goal from an Andrew Harrington assist in the 42nd minute edged the Butters clear by 2-4 to 0-8, but the north county men got it back to a one-point game before Andy Merrigan planted the ball in the top right corner of the net to restore their lead (1-10 to 2-5) with twelve minutes left.

After an Andrew Harrington point in reply, Jake Clancy turned a Darragh Brooks piledriver over the bar before the influential Merrigan made it 1-12 to 2-6 in the 58th minute.

The town team answered impressively when Cillian Gahan tucked a neat shot under Niall Hempenstall’s body for the equaliser, and a swap of points between Merrigan and Harrington (free) in added time ensured the spoils were shared.

Castletown: Niall Hempenstall; Eoin Cullen, Conor Cleary, Joe Ahern; Marc Halpin (0-1), George Sunderland (0-1), Danny Dixon; Frank Roche, Andy Merrigan (1-3); Aaron Condren (0-1), Gavin Stamp (capt., 0-1 free), Liam Condren (0-1); Shane Halpin (0-1), Ross Bealin (0-2), Darragh Brooks (0-2). Subs. - Alex Murphy for L. Condren (HT), Stephen Rafferty for Brooks (60+5).

Sarsfields: Jake Clancy; Dean Murphy, Tony Hennessy, Dáire Reville; Colm Ó Corcora (0-1 free), Conor Halligan, Fiach Ó Crualaoich; Paul Gannon (1-1), Ciarán Byrne; Conall Ó Crualaoich (0-1), Cillian Gahan (1-1), Andrew Harrington (capt., 0-3, 2 frees); Cian Ó Finneadha, Seán Kelly-Komolafe, Gary Carroll (1-0). Subs. - Danny Walsh for Ó Finneadha (38), James Crean for Carroll (45), John Gannon for Ó Corcora (59).

Referee: Paddy Brady (Réalt na Mara).