Sarsfields secure place in knockout hurling after win over Oranmore Maree

Sarsfields went into the interval with a 1-11 to 1-8 advantage, their goal arriving late in the opening half when Éanna Cooney pounced on breaking ball from Cian Warde’s puckout and the impressive forward powered his way through the Oranmore-Maree defence before unleashing an unstoppable finish to the net.

It was a fitting reward for a strong opening half from Sarsfields, with Cooney prominent and Diarmuid MacCárthaigh particularly influential in attack.

MacCárthaigh struck four points before the break, and although Oranmore-Maree managed to curb his influence after half-time, they soon discovered that Sarsfields had another scoring threat waiting in the wings. Half-back Paddy MacCárthaigh stepped forward in style, adding three second-half points to the one he had already registered in the opening period.

Joseph Cooney at centre-half back was also impressive and, with John Cooney, Alex Connaire and Éanna Cooney (four frees) contributing handsomely in the first 30 minutes, Sarsfields were in fine fettle at the break.

It was not that Oranmore-Maree lacked effort, but there were only glimpses of the spark seen in recent previous campaigns. Ruben Davitt’s goal after just seven minutes was one of those, finishing off a swift move that also involved Gearoid McInerney, Conor Butler, and Diarmuid Hanniffy to tie up the game at 1-1 to 0-4.

Over the ensuing 15 minutes, Niall Burke (two frees and play), Hanniffy and Anthony Keady exchanged points with John Cooney, Éanna Cooney (two frees), Diarmuid MacCárthaigh (2), Paddy MacCárthaigh and Alex Connaire in what was competitive championship fare.

With Éanna Cooney’s goal, though, the dynamics of the fixture shifted in Sarsfields’ favour and, although Keady and Conor Butler responded for Oranmore-Maree, the general feeling among neutrals was that this was Sarsfields game to lose in the second period.

So, it proved. Every time Oranmore-Maree cut the deficit, the victors would reply. Niall Burke (two frees and two from play) and Ryan O’Donnell shot five glorious points in the third quarter, but Joseph Cooney, Niall Quinn and Paddy MacCárthaigh all provided answers before Sarsfields pounced for their second goal.

Another swift move involving Joseph Cooney, Oisin Keane and Éanna Cooney saw substitute Adam Donohue finish to the net on 47 minutes. Moments later, Paddy MacCárthaigh shot his third point and Sarsfields led 2-15 to 1-13 coming down the home stretch.

Oranmore-Maree battled valiantly with points from Diarmuid Hanniffy, Keady, Niall Burke (two frees) and McInerney, but again, Sarsfields were equal to it as Éanna Cooney, Kevin Cooney, Ian Fox and Paddy MacCárthaigh raised white flags at the other end.

Whereas the first half was a lively affair, you always felt there was another gear or two in both teams in the second period – and neither, really, could find them. Perhaps, if a disallowed goal from Ryan O’Donnell on 37 minutes was allowed to stand, it may have put a tighter squeeze on Sarsfields, but who knows?

That won’t worry the New Inn-Bullaun club as they have knockout hurling already secured, but Oranmore-Maree, without a win to date, must conjure up a more complete performance for their final group game against Castlegar if they are to remain in the championship.

Sarsfields: C. Warde; C. O’Regan, D. Morrissey, P. McGurk; N. Quinn (0-1), J. Cooney (0-1), P. MacCárthaigh (0-4); O. Keane, D. Donohue; J. Cooney (0-1), A. Connaire (0-1), I. Fox (0-1); D. MacCárthaigh (0-4), K. Cooney (0-1), E. Cooney (1-5, 0-4f).

Subs: L. Connaire for O’Regan (41 mins.); A. Donohue (1-0) for A. Connaire (44 mins.)

Oranmore-Maree: J. Grealish; T. Blake, P. Burke, B. Keating; G. Carr, G. McInerney (0-1), R. Malone; C. Butler (0-1), C. Burke; A. Keady (0-3), N. Burke (0-9, 0-6f), C. Hanniffy; R. Davitt (1-0), R. O’Donnell (0-1), D. Hanniffy (0-3).

Subs: N. Geoghegan for Keating, inj. (36 mins., temp.); R. Hanniffy for C. Hanniffy (40 mins.); A. Doyle for O’Donnell (49 mins.); E. Costello for C. Burke (49 mins.), N. Geoghegan for Malone (55 mins.).

Referee: John Keane.