Cork SHL: Charleville make it three wins from three with Sarsfields victory

Charleville 1-19

Sarsfields 0-16

Charleville took sole ownership of the top spot in Division 1 of the RedFM Hurling League with victory over Sarsfields on Sunday morning.

The protagonists were the only two sides with full points after two rounds of fixtures and, though the hosts trailed by four points early on in Dr Mannix Sportsfield, they came back strongly.

A key period for Charleville came just as half-time approached, when a strengthening wind allowed them to piece together five unanswered points. Alan Dennehy, who moved from wing-back to midfield, had three of them while Danny O’Flynn and David Forde also registered and an 0-8 to 0-6 deficit became an 0-11 to 0-8 lead.

However, Sarsfields’ main man Daniel Hogan got his sixth point of the game deep in injury time and wing-back Bryan Murphy landed a big effort on the resumption. There was an expectation that they would push on but the breeze began to swirl more and Sars’ shooting lacked accuracy – having had three wides in the first half, they would clock eight for the second period.

David O’Riordan and David Forde were on hand to push Seoirse Bulfin’s Charleville side 0-13 to 0-10 in front again before the game’s only goal doubled their lead.

A nice Charleville move saw Conor Buckley, sub Robert Carroll and Forde all involved before O’Riordan had a shot blocked by Paul Leopold. Andrew Cagney had a follow-up effort repelled by Kevin Crowley but Cagney was able to prod the loose ball home and the six-point advantage was the biggest of the game up to then. It would also be the difference at the end.

Sars responded well to that concession as Liam Healy (free), Darragh Long and Hogan had points but the closest they came to a goal was an effort by James O’Leary, saved by Cian Collins after good defending by Darren Butler had made the chance harder.

Despite losing centre-back Jack Meade to injury in the first half, Charleville’s defence remained stout and sub Mark Kavanagh pointed immediately after his introduction and also set up a score for midfielder Oran O’Connell as they kept the reigning champions at arm’s length. A super O’Riordan effort rounded off the win to leave them the only team on six points after three games.

Such an outcome might not have appeared likely as Johnny Crolwey’s Sars side responded to Buckley’s opening point with five in a row as Hogan impressed. Charleville didn’t panic though and were level thanks to a nice Forde effort, set up by Cillian Cagney, in the 18th minute.

While Sars edged proceedings after that, Charleville stayed in touch and the scoring burst coming up to the break put them into a lead that they never lost thereafter.

Scorers for Charleville: D O’Riordan 0-5 (0-3f), A Dennehy 0-4 (0-3f), D Forde, C Buckley 0-3 each, A Cagney 1-0, D O’Flynn, O O’Connell, M Kavanagh 0-1 each.

Sarsfields: D Hogan 0-8 (0-6f), L Healy 0-3 (0-1f), C McCarthy 0-2 (0-1f), D Long, B Murphy, B Nodwell 0-1 each.

CHARLEVILLE: C Collins; D Butler, J Buckley, F Cagney; C Cagney, J Meade, A Dennehy; D O’Flynn, O O’Connell; T Hawe, G Kelleher, C Buckley; A Cagney, D O’Riordan, D Forde.

Subs: R Carroll for Meade (24, injured), M Kavanagh for Kelleher (49).

SARSFIELDS: D McCarthy; P Leopold, C Leahy, C O’Sullivan; B Murphy, D Roche, K Crowley; D Long, J O’Leary; C Darcy, D Hogan, S King; L Healy, C McCarthy, B Nodwell.

Subs: A Myers for King (45), K Walsh for Leopold (50, injured), S McNamara for Nodwell (55).

Referee: C O’Regan (Ballyhea).