Duhallow have no answer to Sars
Sarsfields 3-22 Duhallow 2-13
AT times, Duhallow gave it their best shot but ultimately, it wasn’t good enough to come near a slicker Sarsfields in Round 2A to the County Senior Hurling Championship at Coachford last Sunday.
Having defeated reigning holders Glen Rovers seven days previously, Sarsfields rode out an early Duhallow storm before settling into a rhythm and routine that developed into a momentum as the contest progressed.
And a 3-3 haul from corner forward Aaron Myers emerged a highlight, the big and rangy 19year old’s nose for goal took him sniffing in the red zone regularly for a handsome contribution.
At times, Duhallow didn’t make it easy for Sars particularly in a wind assisted opening half. Though winning possession, they couldn’t get the necessary precision into their play to convert opportunities into scores and nine wides during the opening spell summed up their performance.
The process of turning possession into scores wasn’t near smooth enough for Duhallow and they needed to make it happen when enjoying dominance and a breeze at their back.
True, Sarsfields had some difficulty too during the second half but the sharper instincts of a better prepared club side over their divisional counterparts surfaced.
Myers got the show on the road with an early point and in fairness, the Duhallow response was calm and composed once a Seán Howard delivery was picked by full-forward Eoin Sheahan to deftly whiz the ball to the net.
Backed by the breeze, Duhallow were making a statement of intent through the effective play of Lorcán McLoughlin, Mark Ellis, Lorcan O’Neill, Kevin Tarrant and Willian Murphy.
Points from Howard and McLoughlin strengthened Duhallow’s position, but a lack of accuracy in front of the uprights hurt the divisional side unable to make their dominance fully count.
Though Eoin O’Sullivan pointed a pair of frees for Sarsfields, Duhallow continued to hold the upper-hand, Stephen O’Reilly pointed before the Kilbrin player was denied a goal, Sars ‘keeper Alan Kennedy brilliantly turning the sliothar outside the post for the accurate Howard to convert the resultant ‘65.
It was a worrying spell for Sarsfields, but it all changed during the closing 10 minutes to the opening half. Indeed Sars took a big step in the 20th minute, Myers blasting home following good work by O’Sullivan.
The goal shaped the remainder of the contest and Sars built upon it on points to Paul Leopold, Jack O’Connor and Myers. Duhallow answered and a positive run earned points for O’Reilly and O’Neill to reduce the arrears 1-10 to 1-7 at the break.
After Cormac Duggan added a Sars point on the restart, Duhallow rallied superbly for a short spell, points to McLoughlin and Howard cut the deficit to a single point. And with a little more precision, Duhallow could had made further progress.
Sars were facing a test of their resolve and they reacted in a manner that marked a side eager to retain a crown last won in 2014, they upped the tempo to a new level.
Key to the Sarsfields supremacy was the beaver-like supremacy of inter county player Daniel Kearney, well supported by Craig Leahy, Conor O’Sullivan, Eoin Quigley and hot shot Myers.
Quigley and Duggan posted two points apiece prior to daylight appearing between the sides, Quigley, the provider for Myers to goal. The one way traffic continued, O’Sullivan and effective substitute Daniel Roche bisected the uprights.
Having conceded 1-8 to and recorded just a point in 20 minutes play, Duhallow required some inspiration and it arrived on a well struck goal by Tarrant.
However, the Sarsfields response was emphatic, Roche and Kearney pointing before man of the match Myers showed confidence to clinically despatch a powerful low drive to complete the hat trick.
Two wins over consecutive weekends augurs well for Sars, Duhallow by virtue of a good win over Youghal in the previous round remain in contention yet better preparation will be required ahead of round 3 opposition.
Duhallow by virture of their win over Youghal in the previous round remain in contention