Three-goal Sars have too much for Kildorrery
Sarsfields 3-14 Kildorrery 0-20
GOALS at vital stages proved decisive as Sarsfields were crowned County Under 21 B HC winners at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday.
The game was played in light rain for long periods. Kildorrery had the opening score when Anthony Crowley and Paddy Pigott worked well for Cathal Harrington who pointed.
Good play by Conor Murphy led to Sarsfields opening score by Ben Graham after three minutes. Sarsfields hit the front again when Tristan O’Leary placed Ben Graham for a point. Cathal Harrington with a free levelled in the sixth minute.
Sarsfields hit a purple patch. Team captain Ross Hogan struck a good sideline cut finding Ben Graham who sent over. Tristan O’Leary added a point after eight minutes. In the 10th minute Ross Hogan with a good point opened up a three point lead.
James Keating with two pointed frees had Kildorrery back in the hunt by the 13th minute. Sarsfields edged two clear again when Ben Graham pointed a free. Kildorrery struck a very good period they got to terms in midfield and they had three points in quick succession by Shane O’Neill, Cathal Harrington (free) and James Keating (free) that had them tied at 0-7 each.
James Keating had a close in free saved by the Sars defence. Kildorrery continued to do well. Paddy Pigott made a great catch and pointed with P J Keating working well for James Keating who was fouled and the latter pointed the free as Kildorrery led 0-9 to 0-7 after 27 minutes.
James Keating added a very good point. Sarsfield had their first goal in the 28th minute when Ross Hogan and Tristan O’Leary worked well for Ben Graham who netted and levelled at 1-7 to 0-10.
The Hill edged ahead when Kevin Noonan struck a fine point. The Avondhu side moved two points clear when Darren McNamara placed Dylan Kent for a fine point. Sarsfields had a late pointed free that left just a point between them at the break 0-12 to 1-8.
On the resumption Sarsfields did well. Ben Graham (2) and Tristan O’Leary had early points. Kildorrery had a pointed free by James Keating. Sarsfields sub John Kelleher goaled in the 36th minute as the winners moved 2-12 to 0-13 clear.
Ben Graham pointed another free with James Keating who had moved to the attack adding two points 2-13 to 0-15. Danny Allen added a point for Sarsfields. Both sides exchanged points with James Keating being Kildorrery’s sole scorer in the second half.
John Kelleher with a second goal in the 53rd minute made it 3-14 to 0-16 completing Sarsfields tally. Kildorrery tried very hard to get back in the hunt. They had four points by James Keating and came close to an equalising goal in injury time when Donncha McCarthy made a massive save.
After the game Tracey Kennedy, County Board Chairperson presented the cup to the winners captain Ross Hogan.
SARSFIELDS: D McCarthy, C O’Donovan, A McCarthy, D Barry, S Higgins, D O’Mahony, J Leahy, C Murphy, R Hogan 0-1 (Capt) S Dolan, K Murphy, D Allen 0-1, C Kelleher, B Graham 1-10 (0-5f), T O’Leary 0-2 Subs: B O’Neill for S Dolan, J Kelleher 2-0 for K Murphy, D O’Driscoll for C Kelleher
KILDORRERY: C Walsh-O’Grady, M Walsh O’Grady, I Butler, T Watson, A Crowley, J Keating 0-13 (0-8f), J Hunter, D McNamara, P J Keating, D Kent 0-1 (Capt) S O’Neill 0-1, K Noonan 0-1, C Harrington 0-3 (0-2f), P Pigott 0-1, K Hurley Sub: S Cunningham for K Hurley
REFEREE: John Horgan (Gleann na Laoi)