Supreme Sarsfields defeat Na Piarsaigh to secure semi-final spot in P1 U16 HC
Na Piarsaigh's Sean O'Callaghan gets away from Sarsfields' Darragh Pomeroy during their P1 U16 Hurling Championship game in Na Piarsaigh.
Despite falling behind at the start, Na Piarsaigh showed character to keep with Sarsfields in their final Premier 1 U16 Hurling Championship group game, and in the last quarter just two goals stood between them in Fair Hill.
The Riverstown side were superb in the final thirteen minutes and hit 1-6, winning by 15 as Na Piarsaigh couldn’t find a way back on Sunday morning.
The result ensures a semi-final spot for Sars, while the northsiders must now hope for a Kiltha Óg win over Midleton to keep their championship hopes alive.
The late onslaught began with substitute Tom Hurley raising a white flag before Cathal Galvin hit two frees to make it 3-18 to 1-15 with eight minutes to go.
A sublime long range effort from centre-back Adam Dunlea put Sars 10 in front, ensuring they wouldn’t be caught.
Cuan McMahon and Galvin both hit the target before Sars got their fourth goal. McMahon, Sean Carey and Cormac Fennessy combined to set up Hurley, who finished coolly into the net in added time.
Though the scoreline represented a dominant win for Sars – it doesn’t do any justice to Na Piarsaigh’s efforts, who played some excellent hurling without two key players in Jack Cahalane and Luke Hurley.
Sars were dominant in the first 23 minutes and thrice found the back of the net, with their scoring spread and pacey forwards causing early trouble for the home side.
Adam Leahy set up Tom Huggins, the brother of Sars’ minor centre back Jack Huggins for the first goal after eight minutes, while Fennessy served the next one on a plate for Huggins three minutes later, 2-3 to 0-2.
Craig O’Sullivan hit Midleton for 11 points in their last game – and showed his talent once again here.
A breathtaking effort from midfield under pressure from Leahy and McMahon, proved to be the best of several good efforts, as he cut their deficit to seven.
His next score came from the penalty spot, as O’Sullivan rifled it into the top corner, 2-6 to 1-4.
Sars third goal arrived three minutes later, as Fennessy set up Alex Maher for a close range finish.
O’Sullivan kept the northsiders in touch as he hit four of their next six points, but Sars hit four points of their own, leaving it 3-10 to 1-10 at the interval.
A missed goal chance for Piarsaigh proved costly, as Callum Coffey set up Ryan Manley, but his pull couldn’t connect with the sliotar. O’Sullivan slotted over the recovery, but they needed a goal.
Jayden Cregan, who starred at wing-back scored an excellent point for the northsiders to cancel out Dunlea’s free, 3-12 to 1-12, 25 minutes to go.
Sars piled on the pressure but Cian Quinn was equal to the challenge, making an excellent double save before denying Hurley a fourth Sars goal three minutes later.
Na Piarsaigh brought the gap down to five, but points from Dunlea, Hurley and Huggins put Sars eight in front.
O’Sullivan’s last free preceded his sixth effort from play, but Sars would continue to reel off scores in the closing stages.
Despite the defeat it was an encouraging performance from Na Piarsiagh as their Cork duo of Callum and Nathan Coffey impressed while centre-back Ryan Cronin put in a good shift.
Sars full-back line were superb, as each of the three kept their markers scoreless. Ultimately, Sars had too much firepower and their bench made a positive impact.
C O’Sullivan 1-11 (0-4 f, 1-0 pen, 0-1 65), C Coffey, J Cregan, N Coffey, R Cronin 0-1 each.
T Huggins 2-3, C Galvin 0-6 (0-5 f), T Hurley 1-2, A Maher 1-1, A Dunlea 0-4 (0-2 f, 0-1 65), C Fennessy, C McMahon 0-2 each, A Leahy 0-1.
C Quinn; D Casey, R Quinlan, J O’Connor; N Coffey, R Cronin (Cpt), J Cregan; C Coffey, J Coughlan; J Ring, C O’Sullivan, D O’Leary; R Manley, S O’Callaghan, J Constant.
D Downey for Manley (42), P Foley for Constant (48).
C McCarthy; D Pomeroy, T O’Flynn, O Hurley; E Considine, A Dunlea, D Crowley; C McMahon, A Leahy; C Kelly, C Fennessy, A Maher; T Huggins, C Galvin, S Sheehan.
T Hurley for Kelly (HT), R Dennehy for Maher (45), S Carey for Leahy (52), C Long for Crowley (55), A Twomey for Huggins (57).
Shane Scanlon (Newcestown)
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