Sars dominate possession to take the spoils

HOT favourites Sarsfields withstood a spirited second half challenge from Ballyhea in the opening round of the County SHC at Fermoy last Sunday.

At times, the encounter lacked sparkle and fluidity, Sarsfields appeared good enough to win for the best part of the hour yet they were given a grinding test from the North Cork opposition only to pull away during the latter stages.

For long spells, Sars emerged the more probable winners because of the manner on which they controlled possession on dominating key departments. Credit Ballyhea for they battled hard and fair but on the balance, the spoils belonged to the better side.

During the closing quarter, confusion on the sideline and amongst spectators as to the actual score when it appeared the referee credited a Sarsfields point to Ballyhea.

What transpired was a steady rate of improvement from Ballyhea, piling on the pressure, Sars began to look vulnerable.

Now Ballyhea’s workrate asked previously unraised questions of their opponents and a run of points pushed the North Cork representatives ahead. It was character testing time for Sars, but their response was as emphatic as it was effective culminating on a cracking goal from Jack O’Connor confirmed Sars finished the stronger of the two sides.

Sarsfields had controlled possession from the first whistle, two wides preceded points to Aaron Myers, James Sweeney and Tadhg Óg Murghy.

And though Ballyhea opened their account with a Pa O’Callaghan pointed free, Sars enjoyed the bulk of the possession.

With Ballyhea electing to play wing forward John Morrissey into a defensive role, it failed to deliver a positive response. Sars spare man Paul Leopold mopped up effectively in defence, well served by Craig Leahy and Conor O’Sullivan in addition to the industrious efforts of Daniel Kearney and Daniel Roche at midfield with Myers and Murphy creating an impression in attack.

The scoring chances continued to arrive more easily for Sars, Daniel Kearney hit three magnificent points in quick succession, his brother William and Myers added likewise scores and they appeared well positioned approaching the break.

However, Ballyhea received a massive pre interval fillip, Jamie Copps, the instigator of an attack for Eugene O’Leary fetch possession and his directed effort saw Sars ‘keeper Alan Kennedy partly limit the momentum of the sliothar yet it trickled over the goal line to narrow the deficit 0-9 to 1-3 at the break.

As in the opening half, Sarsfields restarted in blistering fashion with Tadhg Óg Murphy, Myers, Roche and Daniel Kearney finding the target for a clear 0-14 to 1-4 grip. Trailing by double scores, it looked a lost cause for Ballyhea yet they displayed outstanding resilience and resolve, doggedly fighting their way back into contention.

Ballyhea’s play was galvanised into action by the towering play of Liam O’Connor, John Morrissey, O’Callaghan and team captain O’Sullivan.

After a Jack O’Connor point for Sarsfields appeared to be registered to Ballyhea, it appeared to be of no great significance.

But Ballyhea’s improving play ruffled their opponents, reflected on two pointed frees by O’Callaghan with O’Leary and John Morrissey also on target, according to the scoreboard, Ballyhea were now ahead.

Sars attempted to counter, Ballyhea net minder Mikey Browne denied Jack O’Connor before substitute Luke Hackett split the uprights for a Sars point.

With uncertainty as to the standing of the two sides, Sars wriggled their way out of trouble, confirmed in the 59th minute on Murphy laying off to O’Connor and the promising teenager blasted to the net from a tight angle for a decisive score. To their credit, Ballyhea never stopped trying and remained in the hunt from a John Morrissey white flag.

Indeed Ballyhea tried desperately to rescue the game yet Sars raided too and gained reward from late points to Myers and O’Connor. The outcome earned Sarsfields a positive return from a ground that holds mixed memories for the side situated on the outskirts of the city.

Sars will be relieved to earn a passage to Round 3 whilst Ballyhea can take encouragement into a Round 2 engagement against Ballymartle where they need to work on their game and not allow opponents grab a steady handle at the start of both halves.

SARSFIELDS: A Kennedy; W Kearney 0-1, C Leahy, C O’Sullivan; E Murphy, P Leopold, G Grey; D Roche 0-1, D Kearney 0-4; A Myers 0-7 (0-5f), T Óg Murphy 0-2, J Sweeney 0-1; L Healy, G O’Loughlin, J O’Connor 1-2 Subs: L Hackett 0-1 for Healy (45), D English for Grey (53), T Murphy for D Roche(53)

BALLYHEA: M Browne; A Barrett, M Morrissey, L Hanley; J McCarthy, L O’Connor, J Copps; B Coleman, C Cox; P O’Callaghan 0-5 (0-4f), G Morrissey 0-1, J Morrissey 0-3; T Hanley, M O’Sullivan 0-3, E O’Leary 1-1 Subs: D Copps for Cox (40), O O’Sullivan for M Morrissey (50 inj)

REFEREE: J Larkin (Ballinora)