South Antrim Berringer Shield Final
Sarsfields 4-10-2-06 St Pauls
Kevin Herron reports from Falls Park
Sarsfields were recently crowned Berringer Shield champions after getting the better of near-neighbours St Pauls in the decider.
The Paddies were quick to settle into proceedings with Daniel Smyth converting back-to-back frees and Philip McPeake squeezing a shot between the posts.
They extended their on 11 minutes with the first goal of the game, Garry Lennon saw his shot parried, but Daire McMenamin followed in on the loose ball and shot to the net to give the Paddies a 1-03-0-00 lead.
Smyth (free) and McPeake added further points in the aftermath before St Pauls hit back with twenty minutes on the clock.
Liam Garland dropped a free short and Sean Munce did enough to fist the ball to the net and get his side up and running for the afternoon.
60-seconds later and St Pauls were really back in business when James Ferran stroked home at the back post to make it 1-05-2-00. Points were traded thereafter between Caolan McDonnell and Conall Duffy (free).
Sarsfields regained control before the break when a scramble ensued in the area and Daniel Smyth turned the ball home to give his side a 2-06-2-01 lead at the interval.
The second half opened with both sides cancelling each other out, Cormac Murray dropped a shot between the posts and St Pauls responded when keeper Jon-Joe Rodgers came out to take a free and picked out Conall Duffy to swing over a fantastic score.
The Paddies found their third goal of the afternoon to extend their breathing space as Philip McPeake slid home to make it 3-08-2-02.
Duffy kept St Pauls ticking over, converting successive frees – with Steven Hughes popping up at the other end in between times.
The Shaws Road outfit fought to the last with Conall Finnegan steering over a well worked point.
A few minutes from time Sarsfields claimed their fourth and final goal of the contest thanks to a fine strike from substitute Mark McCavanagh.
There was enough time for James Ferran and Steven Hughes to exchange late scores- but the game was beyond doubt at this stage as Sarsfields ran out deserving 4-10-2-06 winners at the conclusion.
