Charlestown Sarsfields rescued their Division 2 Minor Championship hopes with a gutsy 3-7 to 2-10 draw away to Carras in round 2 of the group played in Kilmaine recently. The Sarsfields still reeling from the disappointment of their opening round defeat to Louisburgh needed a big performance to keep alive their slim hopes of making the play offs. They had to avoid defeat and this they did as they turned in a display full of courage and commitment totally at odds with their rather limp display against Louisburgh the previous week. This team however seems to respond best when they odds are stacked against them and stacked against they were as talismanic forward Ryan Duffy was unavailable on the night which was offset somewhat by the inclusion of county minor panelist Patrick Lenehan who while some way short of full fitness put in a shift and commanded a lot of attention in the Carras rearguard which freed up some room for the likes of Matthew Lenehan , Conor O`Donohue and Conor O`Toole to show the full range of their skills and this they did to some effect with Matt Lenehan in particular stepping up to the plate with fine a performance which was further decorated with two excellent goals.
Both teams were evenly matched on the night and there was never more than a score between them at any stage. The exchanges were tough and fiesty at times but it was always enjoyable and the Sarsfields despite a very thin panel all played for the jersey and expended everything they had in their pursuit of victory. It was a display to be admired and the twin management team of Mike Horkan and Ronan Kenny could not have asked any more from their charges as they put it up to the more fancied Carras side from the throw-in. The Sarsfields were combative, fluid and competitive in equal measure. They brought huge aggression to the contest and were rewarded with some fine play which could and should perhaps have deserved better on the night. Carras too could lay legitimate claims to victory as they too had their moments when they looked like pulling away but they could never shake off a tenacious and spirited Sarsfields challenge and were quite fortunate to level at the finish as the Sarsfields were pushing hard for victory. This draw keeps the Sarsfields alive and fighting for that second play off spot. Louisburgh are already through having taken maximum points from their two matches to date. The Sarsfields need to beat Ballinrobe and hope that Louisburgh can defeat Carras in the final round of games as both these eventualities will see the Sarsfields squeeze through and claim the last play off slot. On a night where character, bottle and resilience were the hallmarks of this doughty Sarsfields display, Matt and Patrick Lenehan, Thomas Holton, Conor O`Toole, Cian McCudden, Conor O`Donohue, Aidan Hopkins and Kenneth Brennan were not found wanting in any of the affore-mentioned departments and drove the Sarsfields challenge forward at all times.
