Sarsfields 4:13 Kill 2:06
Sarsfields made it three wins from three games in the intermediate ‘B’ hurling championship and guaranteed themselves a place in the semi-finals. The Kill men, managed by all-ireland ‘b’ minor winning manager Don McSweeney, were unable to contain the Newbridge sides forward line and coughed up goals at vital times that put paid to their challenge.
Conditions were ideal at the Sallins venue and Sarsfields, playing in white due to a colour clash, got off the mark in the second minute when midfielder Tomas Lawless converted a ‘65’. The lead was short lived however as in the very next attack a lapse in concentration in the Sarsfields defence led to goalkeeper Dermot Maguire picking the ball out of his own net with his first touch. That goal was cancelled out less than two minutes later when a flowing move involving Lawless, corner forward Alan Kelly and full forward Kevin Healy, who smashed to the net after a high catch. Wing Forward Brendan Cauley, who was to have a fine match, got his first point from play after nine minutes and two minutes later Healy netted again after some enterprising play from wing forward Conor O’Mahony.
Sarsfields were now on top in all areas of the pitch and three points form play from Cauley (2) and Alan Kelly gave them a convincing seven point lead after twenty minutes. Kill were to enjoy their best period of the game in the run up to half time as three points narrowed the gap to a manageable five points at the short whistle.
The second half began exactly as the first when Kill chalked up a major within two minutes of the restart and they looked to be in a good position. They failed to kick on, however, and a couple of points from frees kept the Newbridge men at arms length. The crucial score of the game came at the start of the last quarter when Denis O’Callaghan finished a barnstorming run with a powerful shot to the net to put his team into a seven point lead. A couple of points, one a real beauty over his shoulder, from Kevin Healy ended the game as a contest. Team captain O’Callaghan was to have the last say on the day as he capped a fine individual display with a goal and a point from play. Sarsfields corner back Conor O’Dwyer put in a excellent display as his team held their opponents to just eight scores over the hour.
Kill will be disappointed with their overall display, even though the final scoreline does their efforts on the night scant justice. Both sides will go through to the semi-finals and a repeat meeting in a knockout clash is a real possibility.
As for Sarsfields, their star continues to rise, and a repeat performance from the the likes of Denis O’Callaghan and especially Kevin Healy, who was in unplayable form on the night, should see them in good stead with a semi-final fast approaching.
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