Larkins flatter to deceive as Sarsfields turn the tie around
Sarsfields 0-22
Tommy Larkins 2-14
Ivan Smyth at Duggan Park
SARSFIELDS overcame a six point half-time deficit as they ground out a win against a Tommy Larkins side who will be left to rue a disjointed second half display.
When Tommy Larkins led by 2-11 to 0-11 at half time, it appeared that their run of opening round upsets in the senior hurling championship would continue.
After toppling Loughrea last year in their first game of the championship and defeating Castlegar in 2019, the odds were heavily in favour of Tommy Larkins repeating the trick once more. The upset did not occur as Sarsfields came out on top as they made some adjustments throughout the field to help them gain supremacy.
Alex Connaire struggled in the full forward line in the opening half, but his move to the middle third in the second 30 minutes helped to bring him more in to the game as he helped link the play and supply the forward division with improved ball.
Kevin Cooney and John Cooney had spells in the full forward line as they offered a greater physical presence for the Sarsfields attack. Joe McGrath and his selectors introduced Jeffrey Lawless at half time as he struck two points with his running from deep troubling the Tommy Larkins defence.
The Sarsfields defence laid the foundation for this win as although Tommy Larkins were off the pace in the second half, holding your opponents to just one point from play in the second half of a fiercely contested club hurling game in Galway takes a tremendous effort from any defensive unit.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.