RedFM SHL: Sean Walsh and James Mulcahy fire Carrigtwohill to win over champs Sarsfields
Cillian Roche, Sarsfields, holding Cian O'Riordan, Carrigtwohill during their RedFM Hurling League Division 1 tie at Carrigtwohill. Picture: Dan Linehan
CARRIGTWOHILL produced the biggest shock this season in the RedFM Senior HL Division 1 when overcoming Sarsfields in a thrilling contest at Carrigtwohill on Saturday.
Make no mistake this was no fluke as the East Cork side hustled and harried their opponents over the hour and in the end were worthy and deserving winners. Plenty of heroes for the winners but nine points from Sean Walsh and a brace of James Mulcahy goals proved vital for Carrigtwohill in this incredible display against the county champions.
The home side began well and Jay Horgan split the posts from all of 80 yards with Luke Elliot immediately responding from a placed ball for Sars.
Carrigtwohill in fairness looked lively and they opened up the Sars defence for the opening goal.
A brilliant run by Liam Gosnell saw him place the ball across the square as James Mulcahy batted the ball to the empty net.
To be fair Sars replied immediately and four consecutive points looked to have them back in pole position.
To be fair Carrigtwohill once again battled back to contention and when Brendan Twomey struck over a marvellous point midway through the quarter they edged into a two-point lead.
The remainder of the second quarter belonged to Carrigtwohill and with three minutes remaining to the short whistle, they commanded a healthy four-point lead.
In truth, Sars looked vulnerable in defence and they were punished accordingly with a stunning second Carrigtwohill goal.
A high ball saw Mulcahy pounce and his blistering shot gave Ben Graham no chance in the Sars goal. Elliot did end the half with his fifth point from placed balls but it was Carrigtwohill who deservedly commanded a six-point lead, 2-10 to 0-10.
Sars introduced Shane O’Regan at the break and he almost got in on his first touch in the opening possession.
Carrigtwohill without scoring stayed in control as some of the Sars play in the last third of the pitch had no shape or plan.
The nearest Sars got to getting within striking distance came as late as the 58th minute when they were awarded a penalty. Up stepped goalkeeper Ben Graham but his tame shot was easily parried to safety by Tomas Hogan.
In the closing minutes, Sars had plenty of possession without ever looking likely winners and although missing a few regulars this was a performance to forget.
Carrigtwohill deserved all the credit and they can look forward to the start of the Senior A Hurling Championship as their young brigade have the hunger to pose elite sides problems in the coming months.
S Walsh 0-9 (0-6 f), J Mulcahy 2-1, L Gosnell 0-2, C O’Riordan 0-2, A Walsh-Barry, B Twomey, J Horgan 0-1 each.
L Elliott 0-10 (0-9 f), C McCarthy 0-3, B Nodwell 0-2, D Roche, P Leopold, C O’Sullivan, C Roche 0-1 each.
T Hogan; N Coughlan, S De Burca, P O’Sullivan; P Hogan, J Hogan, A Walsh-Barry; B Twomey, J Oke; C O’Riordan, S Walsh, S Brennan; J Mulcahy, L O’Sullivan, L Gosnell.
R Power for L Gosnell (inj 45).
B Graham; P Leopold, C Roche, C O’Sullivan; D Roche, E Murphy, C Leahy; D English, B Murphy; L Elliot, C Darcy, B Nodwell; C O’Rourke, J Sweeney, C McCarthy.
S O’Regan for D English (h-t), D Kearney for B Murphy (48), A Hackett for J Sweeney (54).
Cathal McAllister (Aghada).
App?
