Sarsfields Defeat Kilmaine
Charlestown Sarsfields maintained their fine mid-summer form with a hard fought 0-15 to 1-10 victory over a dogged and tenacious Kilmaine in a gritty encounter played at O’Hara Park recently. The Sarsfields, by virtue of this victory have now soared up the table as this was their second victory in a row and leaves them well placed as they get ready to hit the road for their next encounter.
The Sarsfields started slowly but got a good handle on the game midway through the first half as they came from three points to one down to move seven point to five clear with the likes of Thomas Meehan and Niall Murphy coming to the fore with some excellent points from play. Colm Maye too, while not as effective from play as in his previous outing was metronomic from frees and added two just before the interval to leave the Sarsfields 0-9 to 0-5 ahead at the end of a lively and sprightly opening half.
The Sarsfields also missed a penalty with Colm Maye’s bullet like shot ricocheting off the crossbar and over the bar to let Kilmaine off the hook and keep them in some sort of contention as both teams made their way to the dressing rooms.
The Sarsfields started the second half in much the same way as they finished the first with two quick fire frees from Colm Maye. The Sarsfields were comfortable in all phases but the game changed when Kilmaine were awarded a some what dubious penalty ten minutes in which they duly converted and they followed this up seconds later with a point from play to narrow the gap to two.
Things got even better for the South Mayo side when they pointed again to reduce the gap to just one with the dynamics of the game completely changed. The Sarsfields need to stir themselves and quick and they settled their nerves with a fine point from Kevin Deignan who had just been introduced for Cian McCudden. Kilmaine just wouldn’t go away however and they responded to the Sarsfields score with a white flag of their own to keep the gap at one.
Niall Murphy stepped up with a good score for the Sarsfields but again Kilmaine hit back with the game continuing to ebb and flow as both teams had the smell of victory in their nostrils. The Sarsfields emptied their bench and this proved crucial with late points from Ryan Duffy and Damien Ward ensuring the points stayed at home as the Sarsfields did just enough to see off the doughty and cussed challenge of Kilmaine who to be fair to them gave it everything they had but the impact the Sarsfields got from the bench was instrumental in this victory so credit to Paul Jordan and the management team for their game management with the Sarsfields deserving of their victory.
The Sarsfields had fine performances from Daragh McMeel, Gareth O’Donnell and Gerard McLoughlin in defence. Sean Lenehan was solid in the middle of the park while in attack the experience of Aidan Higgins was evident all through the game with Thomas Meehan and Niall Murphy excellent and scoring some fine points. Others to impress were the wily Kevin Deignan who made a big impact when coming on as indeed did Ryan Duffy and Damien Ward which underlines the competition for places which is beginning to heat up ahead of their crucial final group championship match against Hollymount-Carramore which looms large on the horizon.
