Last year’s beaten finalists crash out of the title race

Cappataggle 0-18

By Darren Kelly in Duggan Park

In the first heavyweight contest with championship aspirations at stake, last Saturday night’s ‘Main Event’ saw the 2024 senior hurling championship runners-up Cappataggle crash out of this year’s competition and enter the relegation dogfight.

Kevin Cooney’s goal for Sarsfields on 40 minutes ultimately proved the difference but following a slow start, the New Inn-Bullaun outfit built this success on their tactical supremacy, utilising John Cooney and Darragh Donohue to excellent effect in cutting out Cappataggle’s attacking lines.

Group 4 was always expected to be the tightest and it didn’t disappoint, but after both these pre-championship favourites came up short against Oranmore-Maree, news that Tommy Larkins were putting one over the table-toppers added to the danger here.

Sarsfields started without injured duo Darren Morrissey and Alex Connaire, while Paddy Mac Cárthaigh wasn’t available. Captain Joseph Cooney wasn’t fit to start, but did provide a major lift upon his second-half arrival.

Cappataggle quietly returned James Skehill to the team after his year looked over four weeks ago when he was injured in the draw against Tommy Larkins; while before the finish, they also brought Donal Mannion back following his injury in this fixture last year.

Cappataggle beat Sarsfields in the 2024 quarter-final but this was just as important, with the table standings heading into the game meaning that whoever lost here was out of the championship.

The red and black made the perfect start against the wind getting three points. Niall Collins began his impressive 0-14 tally with two frees before Donnacha Campbell picked out Oisin Finn to convert one from half-way on six minutes.

Sarsfields were sluggish and hit nine first half wides, but they got to grips with Cappataggle’s gameplan as John Cooney slotted back to protect his full-backs, and Darragh Donohue raided both wings with menace.

Darren Murphy was also lively and won the first free that Kevin Cooney registered, and thanks to two assists from John Cooney, Donohue and Kevin Cooney levelled at 0-3 apiece on 11 minutes.

Jarlath Mannion was Cappataggle’s top forward in the early stages but lacked sufficient support from those around him. Collins converted two frees wither side of a Kevin Cooney brace leaving it 0-5 apiece on 18 minutes.

However, the next major moment should have set off a release valve for Cappataggle. John Cosgrove was taken down for a Sarsfields penalty but Skehill produced a super save from Kevin Cooney. It didn’t unsettle Francis Madden’s men who got the next four points.

Pictured: Niall Collins of Cappataggle tries to break clear of the challenge of Leon Connaire of Sarsfields in Ballinasloe on Saturday. Photo: David Cunniffe.