Outstanding finish sees Sars overcome St Finbarr's in P1 U15 HC semi-final
Tom Hurley Sarsfields celebrates his goal against St Finbarr's during their P1 U15 HC semi-final in Bishopstown. Picture: Tony Noonan
With a dramatic climax – Sarsfields fought back to take victory and secure their place in the Premier 1 U15 Hurling Championship final with victory over St Finbarr’s in Bishopstown on Saturday.
It was incredibly close to call all the way through – 1-14 to 1-13 with five minutes to go.
After Killian McCabe’s goal chance for the Barrs was stopped in its tracks, they won possession back in midfield.
Crucially, McCabe held his deep position, unmarked. Liam O’Regan delivered the ball in over the top.
McCabe had all the time in the world – and his cunning goal fired the Barrs four in front with four to go.
Within 40 seconds, the gap was back to one. Sars hit back immediately, as they had done upon the concession of their first goal.
A close range strike from Tom Hurley went through the net – causing confusion among the referee and umpires. The umpires agreed that the flag would be green and not white, and so Sars were revived once again.
The ever present CJ Barrett had been deadly from placed balls and moved the Togher outfit ahead going into final minute, 2-15 to 2-13.
But Sars had more in the tank.
Aidan McCarthy did well over the ball but lost his footing, and Morley was there to swoop in and bury it.
Sars now led for the first time since the 26th minute.
Deep in the red, Barrett would level it with a free once more. Extra time was imminent.
That was until Robert Murphy stepped up with two late scores. A sublime ball in from Tom Huggins left him breathing down on goal – but he played it safe and took the point in the 63rd minute.
A minute later Morley’s point attempt was saved by Barrs goalkeeper Josh Ahern, but Murphy was there to convert the follow up and secure victory.
It was an impressive turnaround from the Riverstown side – who trailed by five at the break. A superb goal within two minutes of the restart cancelled out Barrett’s earlier strike for the city side on the stroke of half time.
Huggins finished with aplomb as Conor Reddy provided, but the back and forth nature of the contest would ensure Sars remained behind until the 47th minute, when Cian McDonald sent one over from play to level it.
The Barrs did stretch their lead once more, but the heroics of Morley and Murphy got Sars back into it. St Finbarr’s can’t have much complaints having only scored 2-3 from play throughout.
The first half was undoubtedly affected by the conditions. Not only was the rain persistent – but the dwindling daylight to go with that made life difficult for the players.
The poor visibility wouldn’t hamper the accuracy of Huggins and Barrett from placed balls, though.
It wouldn’t stop Edmund Burke from putting in a huge shift for the Togher side either, while Eoin Considine and McCarthy were excellent for the eventual winners.
At the quarter-hour mark the contest was tied 0-4 apiece, before Sars got to grips and pulled out a two point lead by the 22nd minute.
They failed to score for the remainder of the half and Barrett hit 1-4 on his own (1-1 from play) to leave it 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval – though the twists and turns of the second half saw Sarsfields into the decider with Ballincollig.
T Huggins 1-6 (0-5 f, 0-1 65), A Morley, T Hurley 1-2 each, C Reddy, R Murphy 0-2 each, C McDonald 0-1.
CJ Barrett 1-14 (0-11 f, 0-1 65), K McCabe 1-0, L O’Regan (65), J McCarthy 0-1 each.
C McCarthy; D O’Donovan, E Dawson, Alfie Byrne; E O’Donovan, E Considine, S Carey; C McDonald, D Healy; T Hurley, C Reddy, R Murphy; A Morley, A McCarthy, T Huggins (c).
Adam Byrne for Alfie Byrne (HT).
J Ahern; A Martin, R Dunne, C Garvey; H McTernan, L O’Regan (c), E Burke; S Fleming Byrne, C Fitzgerald Higgins; CJ Barrett, F Power, K McCabe; A O’Herlihy, D Akar, J McCarthy.
L O’Gorman for Martin (35).
Tom Manley (Inniscarra).
App?
