Charlestown Sarsfields junior team, competing in the 2019 County Junior A championship went down to a 1-12 to 0-8 defeat to Cil Chomáin in round one of the group in a competitive and well contested championship clash played at Fr O`Hara Park, Charlestown recently.
The Sarsfields fielded a mixed bag in terms of youth and experience with the likes of Aidan Higgins, Daragh McMeel, Enda Casey, Martin Mulvaney and Dermot Higgins, great warriors who tasted success at the very highest levels stertching back well over a decade and more, providing a rich bank of guile and experience while at the other end of the spectrum the likes of Rurai Cullen, Ben Conway, Cian Craig and Joseph Finan offered youth, energy and a willingness to run which helped the Sarsfields immeasurably particulary in the first half when a shock looked on the cards as the green and white dominated much of the early play.
The Sarsfields had the visitors defence in all kinds of bother with Shane Moran and Rurai Cullen in the full forward line, really turning on the style as both lads kicked five points from play between them all of which were superbly taken.
Cian Craig with a terrific score from play put the Sarsfields 0-6 to 0-2 ahead after twenty five minutes as the visitors were playing second fiddle to a green and white wave that was first to every ball with the defence scrambling well as they made several wonderful last ditch blocks to keep their goal intact. Keeper David Sloyan also pulled off a marvellous double ten minutes from the interval which lifted the crowd as the Sarsfields continued to enjoy much in the way of possession and territory.
Ruarai Cullen clipped over a free five minutes before the interval to put the Sarsfields five clear with the North Mayo side reeling from the intensity of the home challenge as they tackled with an aggression and physicality that caught the visitors off guard somewhat. They did manage to finish the half on a high with two late points to leave the Sarsfields 0-7 to 0-4 in front with the Sarsfields bouncing to the dresingrooms mightily chuuffed with their first half effort as they had something to cling on to for the second half.
The visitors, one of the teams fancied by many to go deep into the championship knew their backs were to the wall at the start of the second half. They were keenly aware of the need to step up several levels on their tepid first half display or else they were staring down the barrel of a shock defeeat.
The North Mayo men responded to the stark position they were in with great relish as they tackled head on the crisis that was in front of them. Their ears must have been burning at half-time from the rollocking they received from their mentors as they turned in a second half display full of conviction and courage as they set about the task of unhinging the Sarsfields challenge.
They took complete control around the middle and drove right at the heart of the Sarsfields defence every chance they got with runners in support always providing options for the final pass.
The green and white challenge started to wilt as the huge effort they put into the first period started to take its toll as bodies and minds started to tire simultaneously.
The green and white spent the vast majority of the second half grappling for any kind of possession and when they did make advances into North Mayo territory they found the door firmly shut in their faces as the visitors from Erris wrestled control and were in no mood to surrender their hard earned dominance.
They hit 1-8 in the second half and restricted the Sarsfields to just one solitary Ben Conway point as the Sarsfields found the going much tougher in the second half when the North Mayo men cast off the shackles.
The Sarsfields , while disappointed with their second half fade-out, can be pleased with their overall display as they fronted up and made life really difficult for a much touted Cil Chomáin side for the best part of forty five minutes.
The home side ran out of legs and bodies near the end but they were well served by the veteran Daragh McMeel in defence who held the line with grit and determination. He was well supported by keeper Davd Sloyan and young Ben Conway who had a fine match with Rurai Gallagher also defending well.
Enda Casey and Sean Lenehan battled hard in the middle of the park while in attack the ageless Aidan Higgins got through his usual mountain of work and got good support from his brother Dermot and Martin Mulvaney. Shane Moran and Rurai Cullen kicked some glorious points from play in the first half and were a real threat before Cil Chomáin tightened up as they managed to negate the influence of the two lads in the second half with some old fashioned tight marking corner back play.
Cian Craig, Vin Doherty, Ollie Bolton and Joe Finan also enjoyed some good moments as the Sarisfields did the jersey proud and gave a good honest account of themselves in a game there they had next to nothing to lose.