Andersonstown SC IHC Group 2
St. Brigid’s 0-14 Sarsfield’s 2-23
Sarsfield’s fired themselves back into a place in the play-offs with an excellent display of point taking when they overcame the challenge of St. Brigid’s in Cloughmills tonight. Before the game got under way a minute’s silence was held for former sarsfield’s legend, Sean McGuinness who passed away last week.
The visitors made the running right from the start and were three up after three minutes and went on to lead 1-14 to 0-8 at half time with Daniel McKernan leading the way with a masterful display of point taking.
The home side never gave up but there was no holding the South Antrim side who had scorers all over the field as they ran out winners by 15 points and now look forward to the visit of Cushendun this Sunday for a game that could decide their play-off chances.
Daniel McKernan got the visitors on their way when he pointed a free in the 2nd minute and he added two more and another from Donal McKernan had the ‘Paddies’ 0-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 9th minute with the St. Brigid’s point coming from Liam Kearns.
Kearns and Daniel McKernan exchanged further points but points from Daniel McKernan, Kevin McKernan, a massive score from 60 yards, Caillin Caldwell and another fine effort from Kevin McKernan in reply to points from Aaron Smylie and Liam Kearns for St. Brigid’s had the visitors 0-8 to 0-4 in front at the first water break.
When Eoin Dobbin fired over the opening point on the resumption of play to close the gap to three St. Brigid’s looked to be getting a foothold in the game but Sarsfield’s responded with a point from Michael Johnston and when Niall McKenna put Caillin Caldwell through for the game’s opening goal in the 21st minute they never looked back.
Aaron Smylie sends over a Cloughmill’s p[oint
Gary Lennon and two more from the excellent Daniel McKernan in response to points from Geoffery Og Laverty, James Doherty and Liam Kearns for the home side had Sarsfield’s in a strong position going into the break when they led 1-14 to 0-8.
Sarsfield’s continued where they had left off on at the start of the second half and Daniel McKernan and Caillin Caldwell extended their lead before Aaron Smylie replied with the point of the game when he fired over from deep in his own half for the home side.
It failed to inspire his colleagues however as the visitors added points from Darragh McGuinness, Niall McKenna and Daniel McKernan with Micky Devlin and James Doherty keeping the home side’s fading chances alive with points leading into the second water break.
Substitute Michael Reid and Liam Kearns added to the home side’s total with points on the restart but when Darragh McGuinness doubled on the sliotar to send to the net from close range in the 21 minute it was as good as over.
Kearns kept the score board ticking with another ‘Biddies ‘ point and another massive effort from Aaron Smylie for St. Brigid’s put a better look on the scoreboard but as the full-time whistle sounded the question on the visitors lips was “who won the Emmet’s v Kickham’s game in Cushendun?”
As the news filtered through that Emmet’s had beaten Creggan the general consensus seemed to be that Sarsfield’s would need to win by a considerable margin on Sunday but based on tonight’s performance and with home advantage that certainly can’t be ruled out.
Goal scorer, Darragh McGuinness looks up before shooting with Niall McKenna in support
St. Brigid’s: 2 Joe Smyth, 5 Martin Dobbin, 7 Aaron Smylie, 8 Liam Kearns, 9 Michael Morrison, 10 Michael Devlin, 11, Reece Watt, 13 Eoin Dobbin, 14 James Doherty, 17 Sean McKendry, 18 Rian Dobbin, 20 Timothy McNeill, 22 Corey Blair, 23 Geoffery Og Laverty,
Sarsfield’s: 1 David Ward, 2 James Cunningham, Niall McAlea, 4 Malachy Campbell, 5 Kevin McKernan, 7 Jim McKernan, 8 Gary Lennon, 9 David Johnston, 10 Niall McKenna, 11 Caillin Caldwell, 12 Daniel McKernan, 13 Donal McKernan, 14 Mark Rea, 19 Michael Johnston, 24 Darragh McGuinness
Referee: Vincent Boyle (Dunloy)
