Munster Club SHC: Strong finish sends Sarsfields past Feakle and into final

Sarsfields 1-25 

Feakle (Clare) 1-17 

Eight unanswered points in the closing minutes earned victory for Sarsfields in Sunday’s AIB Munster Club SHC semi-final against Clare’s Feakle at SuperValu Páirc Uí Choaimh.

While three points on the trot had brought Feakle level just after the three-quarter mark but they would not score again. Instead, Sars went into overdrive, with Aaron Myers bringing his tally to 1-6, all from play, while Cathal McCarthy garlanded a fine display at midfield with his fourth of the day, as did Jack O’Connor, and Colm McCarthy and sub Shane O’Regan also got on the scoresheet.

It’s somewhat ironic that, after five county titles since 2008 that did not yield a Munster club final appearance, Sars will contest the showpiece against Waterford’s Ballygunner after losing the Cork decider to Imokilly but they certainly flushed out the toxins from that loss once a slow start was overcome.

With the wind behind them, Feakle began wel;, set on their way with an Oisín O’Connor point inside seven seconds.

They had three points scored before Daniel Hogan opened the Sars account with a free but it was 0-5 to 0-2 after ten minutes, with Sars already up to six wides by that stage.

Slowly, Sars began to settle, though, aided by some excellent hooking and blocking. A pair of points from Cathal McCarthy eroded the gap somewhat and he was involved in a great move with Cian Darcy that led to Aaron Myers tying the game at 0-6 each on 18 minutes.

Moments later, Sars had the lead as goalkeeper Ben Graham – one of three changes from the county final – launched a long delivery that was excellently won by Myers, who drove towards goal and delayed shooting to avoid a hook before slotting home. When the same direct route yielded a point immediately after that, it was 1-7 to 0-6.

While Feakle did score three of the next four points, Sars really looked in the groove as the half came to a close. Darcy set up Myers for a goal chance that drew a great save from Eibhear Quilligan, with Hogan sending over the 65 that followed, while the Clare keeper then diverted Luke Elliott’s shot over the bar.

When Darcy and Colm McCarthy combined for Jack O’Connor to get his second, it was 1-11 to 0-9. However, Feakle did almost conjure a goal in response as Quilligan’s puckout went all the way through to Oisín Donnellan but he was stretching as he shot and Graham saved.

By half-time, they had cut the deficit slightly to four, 1-12 to 0-11, but that margin had been eradicated within three minutes of the restart.

After Eoin Tuohy’s point, Shane McGrath had a goal chance and, through he pulled his low effort wide, referee Thomas Walsh said that he had been fouled and blew for a penalty. Quilligan came up to take it and drilled his shot beyond his opposite number.

Sars’ response was positive, though, with Cathal McCarthy getting his third of the day and they were ahead by 1-15 to 1-13 when Myers brought his tally to 1-3 on 40 minutes. After McGrath replied, Hogan put James Sweeney in for another goal chance but Quilligan was quick off his line to avert immediate danger – Sweeney found Hogan, who was fouled for a free that he converted himself.

After Hogan’s seventh point, it was 1-17 to 1-14 but Feakle once more summoned a big response – point in quick succession from Steven Conway, McGrath and Eoin Tuohy had the game tied with 14 minutes left.

Sars came again though and this time it was a definitive burst. The Munster final awaits.

Scorers for Sarsfields: A Myers 1-6, D Hogan 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 65), Cathal McCarthy, J O’Connor 0-4 each, P Leopold, L Elliott, D Kearney, S O’Regan, Colm McCarthy 0-1 each.

Feakle: S McGrath 0-7 (0-5f), S Conway, O Donnellan 0-3 each, E Quilligan 1-0 (penalty), E Tuohy 0-2, O O’Connor, E Noonan 0-1 each.

SARSFIELDS: B Graham; P Leopold, E Murphy, C O’Sullivan; B Murphy, C Roche, L Elliott; Colm McCarthy, Cathal McCarthy; D Kearney, D Hogan, C Darcy; A Myers, J Sweeney, J O’Connor.

Subs: S O’Regan for Sweeney (49), E O’Sullivan for Kearney (56), C Leahy for Elliott (57).

FEAKLE: E Quilligan; E Daly, A Hogan, O Clune; K Bane, C Smyth, E Tuohy; R O’Connor, E Noonan; O Donnellan, S McGrath, S Conway; O O’Connor, M Daly, P Daly.

Subs: R Bane for P Daly (48), O McGann for O’Connor (52), F Donnellan for M Daly, G Hanrahan for Noonan (both 60), E Madden for Bane (60+2).

Referee: T Walsh (Waterford).