Sarsfields 2-25 Inniscarra 0-15
For all Inniscarra got right in the first half, their efforts were futile by conclusion as Sarsfields ran out comfortable winners in the Premier 1 Minor Hurling League final at Ballinlough on Wednesday evening.
Sars were rampant in the latter half, outscoring their opponents 2-15 to 0-6 to secure a comfortable victory.
Inniscarra had done well in the league, winning five of seven to qualify for the final. And while Cork U16 James O’Sullivan had Scarra level for the fourth time at 0-10 each after 31 minutes, Sars switched on the afterburners in the third quarter to land 12 of the next 13 scores, including two green flags.
A goal chance that went astray within 20 seconds of the second period starting would quickly haunt Scarra. Following the miss from the otherwise impressive David Enright, on his return from injury, Finn O’Connor reeled off the first two of four unanswered from Sars.
Michael Hurley, Sarsfields, and Jack O’Mahony, Inniscarra battle for possession. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Four behind, Scarra needed a break. Kieran Keohane’s darting run left him poised for the finish – until Michael Hurley came from nowhere to get the hook in, and then pulled off an even better tackle to send it out for a 65.
Enright nailed the 65 to leave it 0-14 to 0-11, but from the 37th to 45th minutes, Sars were simply unstoppable.
Harry Cogan and Dunlea got their scoring underway, before a Rory Higgins sideline ball found Cathal Galvin. He made no mistake from close range. Goal.
Higgins would end up with 1-3 worth of assists from centre-back.
Sars weren’t finished after the first goal, though. Eoin Considine got his first of two points from wing-back, while Galvin, Cillian Long and Josh McNamara all raised white flags.
Kevin Murphy, Sarsfields, tackles Donagh Holland, Inniscarra. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
In the 45th minute, the next major arrived: Considine to Cogan, then inside to Long. He cut in brilliantly and popped it to Adam Leahy, who blasted into the top corner, leaving it 2-20 to 0-11.
Scarra did get four points in the final quarter, but Sars kept the scoreboard ticking to win by 16.
Inniscarra’s setup for the first half gave them control for large parts of it. David Enright operated as a third midfielder alongside Jack Shine and Conor Costelloe, with two inside. That left Sarsfields’ Rían Boyle as the free man to mop up possession behind Higgins.
Harry Cogan, Sarsfields, shoots from Jack O’Mahony, Inniscarra. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Scarra hit three of the first four points and never allowed their opponents to go in front in the opening period. But crucially, Sars never fell more than two behind.
It was 0-9 to 0-8 in favour of Inniscarra with 26 minutes elapsed, but a Dunlea 65 and a white flag each from the ever-threatening Galvin and O’Connor left Sars one up at the break.
Scarra opted to go man-to-man in the second half, meaning their advantage quickly faded, and Sars powered clear.
Scorers for Sarsfields: A Dunlea 0-8 (0-5 f, 0-1 65), C Galvin 1-4, F O’Connor 0-4, A Leahy 1-0, H Cogan, E Considine, C Long 0-2 each, C Condon, R O’Donovan, J McNamara 0-1 each.
Scorers for Inniscarra: D Enright 0-7 (0-2 f, 0-2 65), James O’Sullivan 0-4 (0-2 f), J Shine 0-2, Jack O’Mahony, D Holland 0-1 each.
SARSFIELDS: F O’Donovan; R Boyle, K Murphy, J Tierney; E Considine, R Higgins, M Hurley; A Leahy, J McNamara; H Cogan, A Dunlea, C Condon; T Huggins, C Galvin, F O’Connor.
Subs: C Long for O’Connor (39), C O’Mahony for Huggins (45), D Crowley for Boyle, L King for Leahy (both 47), L Mitchell for Cogan, R O’Donovan for Dunlea (both 59), C Kelly for Condon, O Hurley for Considine (both 60+3).
INNISCARRA: P O’Mahony; Josh O’Sullivan, C Herlihy, S Óg Holland; S Brislane, A Heelan, J Dineen; J Shine, C Costelloe; James O’Mahony, S Maher, Jack O’Mahony; D Holland, James O’Sullivan, D Enright.
Subs: K Keohane for James O’Mahony (HT), D Ó Sé for Costelloe (41), C Lyons for Maher (45), S O’Sullivan for Jack O’Mahony (48, inj), B Lynch for J O’Sullivan (58), C Leisk for Josh O’Sullivan (60+2), C Gould for S Óg Holland (60+3).
Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease)
