Charlestown Sarsfields Minor team were defeated by Knockmore in round 5 of the Division 1 of the county minor league played in Knockmore recently.
The Sarsfields were no match for the home side and lost out on a scoreline of 1-23 to 2-8 with the North Mayo turning on the style as they kicked points from every conceivable angle such was their precision and accuracy in front of the posts.
The green and white were struggling early doors as the hosts hit a couple of fine early points and threatened to run riot such was the dominance they were exuding
The Sarsfields were finding it difficult to secure any worthwhile possession but they got a real lifeline fifteen minutes in when Ciaran Honeyman goaled against the run of play to reduce the margin to three.
Knockmores response was pretty emphatic as they hit the next three points to push their lead out to six once again as they led 0-11 to 1-2. Again the Sarsfields responded with another goal with Jack Mahon stepping forward as he danced and weaved his way inside the Knockmore cover before rifling the ball to the top corner of the next to keep the green and white challenge afloat and bring the Sarsfields back into contention albeit against the run of play. The home side are a slick outfit however as they responded to this latest setback in the best way possible as they tagged on four superb points to leave the half-time score 0-15 to 2-2 with the Sarsfields challenge very much on the life support. The Sarsfields were keenly aware of the extent of the task facing them as they came out for the second half. Early scores were urgently needed to inject oxygen into their challenge if they were to have any chance of overturning their deficit. The scores arrived only sporadically as the North Mayo lads never relinquished control of the game and continued to boss the exchanges. The green and white challenge never flagged or wavered but they lacked a cutting edge in attack with only Jack Mahon offering any kind of threat as he looked dangerous when receiving the ball in threatening positions. Trouble was he couldnt get his hands on it enough as the Knockmore defence were tight knit and well organised and defended their goal with great vigilance and conviction.
The home side were able to move through the gears seamlessly and hit 1-8 in the second half with the Sarsfields mustering 0-6 in reply. Truth to tell the game was over as a contest long before the final whistle as Knockmore continued to press with the visitors under the cosh as runners poured forward from all angles and positions making life really hard for a green and white defence that was under all manner of pressure and difficulty.
Credit to the green and white lads they never chucked in the towel and kept plugging away but they were well outgunned by a fine Knockmore side who on the evidence of this display will push hard for league honours later in the month.
On a difficult night for Gareth ODonnell and his management team the likes of Ben Conway, Jack Brennan, Sean Dunleavy, Jack Mahon, Jack Corley and James Conway battled gamely and were never found wanting when it came to driving the green and white forward , they just didnt have the requisite support or personnel to really test the home side who held all the aces and used them very well.
The Sarsfields can still make the play-offs if they win their final game against Belmullet with Darragh Casey hopefully available to play as he was sorely missed against Knockmore with the full back line creaking alarmingly in his absence.