Antrim All-County Hurling League Division 2
Pádraig Sarsfields 0-15 Glenariffe Oisin’s 0-24
Paul McIntyre reports from The Bear Pit
Glenariffe remain hot on the heels of league leaders Cushendun after they proved too strong for Sarsfields at the Bear Pit on Wednesday evening.
The Oisin’s were fully deserving of their nine-point victory which in no small part came down the accuracy of half-forward Caolan O’Connor. With regular free take Alex O’Boyle currently summering in the Big Apple, O’Connor was thrown in at the deep end on Sunday against St Gall’s and had a mixed day. However he was really on the money on Wednesday evening at the Bear Pit and ended with an impressive 0-12 to his name.
On an evening when all six starting Glenariffe forwards got their names on the scoresheet, O’Connor accounted for half of their final total.
Niall McKenna hit an impressive 0-8 for the homeside, but O’Connor had a greater supporting cast as Seanie McIntosh, Oliver Kearney and Brogan O’Connor as contributed handsomely to the Oisin’s victory.
There was little to separate the sides in the opening exchanges.
Niall McKenna looked to be in the mood and from the off and he registered the opening two-points of the game before Caolan O’Connor opened Glenariffe’s account in the 7th minute from a free after McIntosh was fouled.
Niall Murray became the first player to be shown a yellow card in the 11th minute. The Glenariffe full back somewhat fortunate to remain on the pitch after a deliberate trip on Niall McKenna.
With half-time looming, the sides were locked at 0-8 apiece.
But in the searing heat it was the visitors that handled the conditions better. Brogan O’Connor twice and Oliver Kearney worked the scoreboard as Glenariffe rattled off five without reply to go into the break with a four-point advantage, 0-8 to 0-12.
McIntosh and Oliver Kearney hit two early points from play for Glenariffe as Sarsfields continued to rely on Niall McKenna frees to keep them in touch.
But the North Antrim men were always able to keep the city men at arm’s length and two 65’s from Caolan O’Connor helped his side to a six-point advantage with ten minutes left on the clock.
With their tails up, Glenariffe went on to close the game out in impressive style as they outscored their hosts 0-7 to 0-3 in the final minutes with Daniel Kearney’s point the pick of the scores. The wing-half forward managing to hit the target while being swept off his feet from a Sarsfield tackle.
A disappointing night for Sarsfields whose focus will now be turning towards the championship, while for Glenariffe, attention remains firmly fixed on league glory.
Teams & Scorers:
Sarsfields: Gerard McKernan, Ronan McKenna, Jack Daniels, Mark McCavanagh, David Johnston (0-1), Niall McAlea, Eoghan Rogers, Daniel Smyth (0-2), Gary Lennon (0-1), Niall McKenna (0-8 7f), Jim McKernan, Oisin Coleman (0-2), Daniel McKernan (Snr), Nicholas Ó Maoláin (0-1), Caolán Donnolly.
Replacements: Brendan Jackson for Donnolly (38), Conall Jemfrey for Ó Maoláin (42), Kevin Ward for D McKernan (Snr), John McManus for Rogers (55).
Glenariffe: Senan McToal, Michael Haughey, Niall Murray, Eamon Ward Cathán Graham, Donall Kearney (0-1), Ronan Leech, Aaron Cosgrove, Conor Patterson, Daniel Kearney (0-2), Caolán O’Connor (0-12 7f, 2 65), Seanie McIntosh (0-3 1f), Shea McDonnell (0-1), Oliver Kearney (0-2), Brogan O’Connor (0-3).
Replacements: Kevin McDonell for Donall Kearney (HT), Ciaran Farrell for B O’Connor (53).
Referee: Hugh Torney (Ballycran)
