Sarsfields and Castlegar play out entertaining draw in Galway SHC

Goals from another sub in Leon Connaire and senior debutant Eanna Cooney, the latter an emphatically dispatched penalty after Kevin Cooney was fouled, transformed the contest before Darragh Donohue edged Brian Hanley’s side ahead by the minimum in stoppage time.

Farragher, however, was not finished. Presented with a difficult 65 from distance, albeit one disputed by the Sarsfields contingent, the 43-year-old held his nerve to bring his tally to seven points and ensure honours finished even.

It was a fitting conclusion to a game in which the teams were exceptionally difficult to separate.

The sides were level eight times during a competitive opening half, with referee Noel Quinn certainly allowing proceedings to flow and frees at a premium.

Galway senior Darragh Neary was particularly influential for Castlegar. He repeatedly drove his side forward and proved difficult to contain, registering four of his eventual six-point haul before the interval. Some of those efforts were of the sublime variety.

At the opposite end, Alex Connaire impressed with three first-half points as Sarsfields spread the scoring load. Eight different players contributed to their tally, although eight wides prevented them from establishing a more commanding advantage.

An Eanna Cooney free eventually sent Sarsfields into the interval leading 0-12 to 0-11.

Cooney and Connaire supplied the opening two scores of the second period, but Castlegar soon took control. However, Tomas Mannion’s side outscored their opponents 1-9 to 0-3 during a dominant spell, with their substitutes making a considerable impact. Cian Corcoran, Jack Coyne and goalscorer Thomas contributed a combined 1-5 from the bench.

Thomas supplied the major breakthrough when he finished to the net after being set up by brother Greg, who was reasonably well shackled by John Cooney throughout.

Six points adrift with only 10 minutes remaining, Sarsfields needed an immediate response and found one. Diarmuid Mac Carthaigh forced a save from Castlegar goalkeeper Liam O’Reilly before Leon Connaire reacted quickest to finish the rebound to the net.

The momentum shifted further when Kevin Cooney was fouled inside the square. Eanna Cooney accepted responsibility and thundered the resulting penalty into the top corner to suddenly put Castlegar under severe pressure.

Farragher replied with a long-range free, only for Donohue to stride forward and send Sarsfields ahead again as the contest entered its dying moments.

It looked enough to complete a remarkable turnaround, but Castlegar manufactured one final opportunity and Farragher – like some many times before - duly delivered.

Both sides can take encouragement from the outcome. Castlegar will regret allowing a six-point advantage to disappear, while Sarsfields demonstrated considerable character to fight their way back into a contest that appeared to be slipping away.

Sarsfields now face a significant test against first round winners St Thomas’, while Castlegar meet Oranmore/Maree knowing victory would secure knockout qualification with a round to spare.

Sarsfields: C Warde; P McGuirk (0-1), John Cooney, C O’Regan; D Donohue (0-1), P Mac Cárthaigh, Joseph Cooney; D Morrissey (captain), O Keane; I Fox (0-3), D Murphy (0-1), A Connaire (0-4); K Cooney (0-1), D Mac Cárthaigh (0-3), E Cooney (1-6, 1-0 pen, 0-4 frees). Subs: J Cosgrove (0-1) for Murphy (15 inj); L Connaire (1-0) for Cosgrove (46 inj).

Castlegar: L O’Reilly; C Joyce, M Connolly (captain), C Ryan; G King, S Neary (0-2), M Gill; S Moran, C Callaghan; D Higgins (0-1), D Neary (0-6), D Carroll (0-1); G Farragher (0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65, 0-1 sideline), G Thomas (0-2), D McNulty. Subs: D Barry for Connolly (21 inj); C Corcoran (0-2) for McNulty (HT); J Coyne (0-2) for Higgins (36); S. Thomas (1-1) for Carroll (48).

Referee: Noel Quinn.