Barry O'Flynn hits 2-4 as Sars claim U14 premier hurling title with big win over Glen Rovers

Sarsfields 4-17 

Glen Rovers 5-4

SARSFIELDS lifted the Rebel Óg Fe 14 Premier 1 Hurling League title on Sunday afternoon as they deservedly defeated a spirited Glen Rovers side 4-17 to 5-4 in the playoff final at Mayfield.

A superb display from Barry O’Flynn, who claimed an impressive tally 2-4 of his side’s total, helped inspire Sars to a 10 point victory to ensure the silverware is heading to Glanmire.

Sars, and O’Flynn in particular, raced out of the traps and the number 11 scored the game’s opening goal when he took the ball away from the keeper before firing it into the net after just two minutes.

A couple of excellent points from Sean Bracken helped the blue and blacks lead by 1-4 before the Glen finally got on the board in the 17th minute through Scott Lawlor.

They quickly added another shortly after the water break but a powerful finish from Rory McCarthy - following a wonderful catch - saw Sars halt their momentum 2-4 to 0-2.

Rovers finished the half strongly as full forward Diarmuid Wall snatched a goal and a point in quick succession but that came after a period of play which saw their rivals get nine points in a row - three coming from O’Flynn - to lead at the interval, 2-13 to 1-3.

The Glen continued to look for goals to get themselves back in contention and they were fortunate to see Conor McCarthy’s long free drop in over the keeper after 38 minutes.

But it was of little consequence as O’Flynn had raised another green flag and corner forward Ruaidhri Boyle did likewise shortly before the water break to make sure Sarsfields remained in complete control heading into the final quarter, 4-13 to 2-4.

Sars were now content on just taking their points that would edge them closer and closer to memorable triumph but Glen Rovers, to their credit, battled until the last second.

They would reduce the deficit significantly with goals from Jake Brosnan and a clinical brace from the talented Cian Walsh but they proved to be just consolations as Sars hung on to the win.

Scorers for Sarsfields: B O’Flynn 2-4, R McCarthy 1-2, Z Herlihy and S Bracken 0-3 each, D O’Donovan 0-3 (0-2 frees), R Boyle 1-0, J Huggins and C O’Connor 0-1 each.

Glen Rovers: C Walsh 2-0, D Wall 1-2 (0-2 frees), J Brosnan and C McCarthy 1-0 each, S Lawlor and K Martin 0-1 each.

SARSFIELDS: J O’Connor; R Barry, R Higgins, B Galvin; J McMahon, J Huggins, C Quirke; L Hogan, D O’Donovan; Z Herlihy, B O’Flynn, C O’Connor; R Boyle, R McCarthy, S Bracken.

Subs: S Allen for R Boyle (59), A Lane for C O’Connor (63).

GLEN ROVERS: S Hutchinson; TJ Kenneally, J Murphy, L Dunlea; O O’Connell, J Brosnan, E Ricken; A Clifford, C McCarthy; S Lawlor, C Walsh, K Martin; D O’Mahony, D Wall, J O’Sullivan.

Subs: M Gayfor for TJ Kenneally (15), C Murphy for O O’Connell (28), D Lawlor for S Lawlor (48), M Brosnan for J Brosnan (61).

Referee: David Daly (Brian Dillons).