Sarsfields looking at bigger picture after impressive opening round win

Sarsfields opened their Co-op Superstores Premier SHC with an impressive 1-28 to 1-14 win over Fr O’Neill’s at Carrigtwohill last Friday night.

A second half blitz that saw them score nine points, without reply, set them up for their win, putting them 0-22 to 0-11 in front and they never looked back from there.

However, their manager, Johnny Crowley, wasn’t getting carried away with the win. He was happy to get two points in the bag and said that it’s always great to start with a win, but there were aspects of their performance he wasn’t happy with.

“First and foremost, it was a victory and it’s so important to win the first games in this groups. We haven't been usually fantastic in the last two years. We went out to Fermoy two years ago against Kanturk and we were lucky to get out of it with a draw.

“Then last year we beat Douglas and then played Newtownshandrum at Mourneabbey and we weren’t great that day.

“So it was important to get a result as we have two box-office games after this (against Erin’s Own and Glen Rovers) and they're going to be tough.

“You have the local derby element with Erin’s Own and then the Glen. So today was about winning really, whatever about the performance, winning paramount.

“We've done a lot of things wrong there tonight and you know it was definitely not our finest performance and we'll definitely be reviewing it and see where we go from there.”

Sars led by three points at half time and Crowley added that even though they were ahead they weren’t too happy with their second 15 minutes.

“In the first quarter, we scored 10 points and in the second quarter, we got three, which isn't good. 

I suppose that consistency, you have to find, you know, we have to be tuned in to the scores and keep them going all the time.

“We went over that at half time but even in the second half we did a lot of stupid stuff as well. Whether you are winning or losing, whatever is the case you have to stick your principles and I think we kind of went off track.

TITANIC

“Then look we went out in this game in terms of getting the two points we knew it was going to be a titanic battle with Fr O’Neill’s, they bring a massive intensity and they are a very proud club there.

“At half-time there was only three points in it, with five minutes to the break, we were five points up. Then we give them possession over near the sideline on the far side and we kind of made a bags of it really and they got two scores after that.

“They’re massive work findings for us and we will work on them.

“Again look we have two points and we are absolutely delighted and it sets us up now nicely for a local derby in in two weeks and obviously we go home, have a look at the game and see where we go from here.”