Sarsfields finish in blaze of glory to secure spoils

Skehana-Mountbellew-Moylough 0-11

Ivan Smyth in Tynagh

SARSFIELDS struck the final four points of this game to book a final berth in the U20 A1 hurling championship.

With the sides level at 1-8 to 0-11 after 53 minutes, it appeared the game would follow the same pattern as the Loughrea-Craughwell semi final and be decided by extra time. However, Sarsfields powered home against a tiring Skehana/Mountbellew-Moylough outfit that had produced a display filled with hard work and passion.

John Cooney was kept scoreless for the opening three quarters of this contest but he stood up when needed in the final quarter, grabbing two of his side’s final four points. Alex Connaire’s accurate free taking helped Sarsfields as he found the target from a placed ball while substitute Michael Hanlon also fired over to ensure Sarsfields set up a showdown with Loughrea.

After a blistering start, Sarsfields survived the Skehana-Mountbellew/Moylough storm, the rain showers and the hail stones to secure a hard fought win. Sean McDonagh lined out at centre back for Skehana-Mountbellew/Moylough and operated as a spare man in defence. Meanwhile, Connaire started in midfield for Sarsfields while Cooney stayed mainly at wing forward.

Sarsfields raced in to an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead. John Cosgrove pointed twice before Connaire and Mark O’Regan combined to set up Darren Murphy for an eighth minute goal.

Skehana-Mountbellew/Moylough began to settle and their workrate helped to turn this game in to a dogfight. They managed to fire over three frees, all from Oisin Lohan, to trail by 1-3 to 0-4 at the first water break. McDonagh then stamped his authority on this game in the second quarter.

He set up Shea Fallon for a score but Sarsfields responded with two Connaire frees. McDonagh then stepped up to rifle over a sideline cut from 50m out and also converted a free.  After McDonagh and Jason Fahy Hansberry combined to set up Oisin Lohan for a score, McDonagh arrowed a ’65 between the posts to level the game (1-6 to 0-9) at half time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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