Loughrea crowned Reeves Cup champions with narrow win over Sarsfields
Loughrea overcame Sarsfields 1-15 to 1-14 to secure the Reeves Cup title on Friday evening in Ballinasloe. Declan Loughnane’s charges produced a very impressive first half performance during which they built a lead which Sarsfields never managed to claw back, despite a spirited second half comeback.
In a first half which took a while to take off, Loughrea received an early boost with a well taken goal from Ethan Coleman. Sarsfields opened their account five minutes later with a pointed free from Keegan Connaire.
Loughrea soon tallied three points on the spin. Enda Keary raised a white flag after a good run and pass from Thomas Hoban. Mikey Murray then converted a free, before Coleman sent over a good score over his shoulder.
At 1-3 to 0-1 down, Sarsfields needed a score, and ‘keeper Oisín Cooney landed a long range free from well inside his own half. Coleman and Kenneth Cooney (free) traded scores at either end, before Loughrea tallied another three without reply.
Keary sent over a very impressive effort from the right wing, before Aidan Fahy pointed from a similar position a minute later. Coleman then tallied his third point to give Loughrea a 1-7 to 0-3 lead.
The remainder of the half saw the sides trade three points apiece. Connaire converted two frees for Sarsfields, while Ethan Warde also fired over a good score from the left corner. At the other end, Mikey Maher, Keary, and Murray (’65) chipped in with scores to ensure the Town had a seven point lead at the change of ends.
Loughrea soon extended their lead early in the second half. Aidan Fahy took a 21 metre free and fired a low trajectory shot which narrowly cleared the crossbar. Sarsfields were now chasing an eight point deficit and badly needed a spark.
Credit to Brian Hanley’s charges, they soon reeled off 1-4 without reply to come right back into contention. Cathal Dillon sent over an impressive score after a pacey run down the right wing. Kenneth Cooney then landed a long range free, before Sarsfields struck for a goal.
A good ball from Jeffrey Lawless found Liam Donohue inside the Loughrea defence and he blasted to the net from a tight angle. Connaire added two frees during the next five minutes to leave the minimum between the sides.
Loughrea steadied the ship with two points in as many minutes. Bobby Feeney came up trumps with two scores (one free) including one very impressive effort from the right corner, to leave a goal between the sides with ten minutes remaining.
Connaire continued to demonstrate his accuracy from placed balls at the other end, landing two further efforts to leave the minimum between the sides once again. Sarsfields also had a goal chance when a kicked effort from Donohue was well saved by Calvin Burns.
The momentum was swinging in both directions. However, Loughrea continued to keep Sarsfields at arms-length. Two crucial points came from Murray and Hoban for the Town when the contest was in the balance.
Sarsfields never folded, however, and two injury time points from Kenneth Cooney and Jordan McMahon left a single point between the sides and kept the pressure on Loughrea right to the final seconds. However, the Town held on to deservedly claim the Reeves Cup title.
After a second half which really sparked into life following Sarsfields’ revival, Loughrea displayed resilience and no little composure under pressure to secure the result. Declan Loughnane’s charges never trailed after Coleman’s early goal, and their first half dominance laid the foundation for victory.
The Town had more scoring options in their forward line and always looked capable of finding scores when necessary to stay ahead of their opponents. Loughrea had impressive performances on the day from Burns in goal, along with Lee Murphy, Niall Griffin, and Ian Griffin in defence. Mikey Maher had a solid game in midfield, while Enda Keary, Mikey Murray, Bobby Feeney, and man of the match Ethan Coleman stood out in attack.
Sarsfields will rue a first half in which they took a long time to get into the contest. Their second half comeback was impressive and with a bit more luck they could have gotten something from this game.
Brian Hanley’s charges were best served by Oisín Cooney, Cathal Dillon, Kenneth Cooney, Liam Donohue, Keegan Connaire, and Lawless, after his introduction.
Loughrea: C. Burns; L. Murphy, N. Griffin, E. Rooney; O. Sadowski, I. Griffin, F. Beirne; M. Maher (0-1), A. Burns; T. Hoban (0-1), A. Fahy (0-2, 0-1 free), E. Keary (0-3); E. Coleman (1-3), M. Murray (0-3, 0-1 free, 0-1 ’65), B. Feeney (0-2, 0-1 free). Subs: C. O’Tuairisg for Keary (59), S. Greensmyth for A. Burns (61).
Sarsfields: O. Cooney (0-1 free); J. Noone, C. Cooney, C. O’Higgins; C. Dillon (0-1), K. Cooney (0-3, 0-2 frees), C. Ward; R. Corcoran, A. Keane; T. Cooney, L. Donohue (1-0), K. Connaire (0-7 frees); O. Conneely, D. Delargy, E. Warde (0-1). Subs: J. McMahon (0-1) for Conneely (41), J. Lawless for E. Warde (41), D. Warde for Connaire (62).
Referee: Karol Collins.