Intermediate Hurling Championship – RR1
Sarsfields 2-20 Cushendun 3-14
Pics by Mickey Morgan
Sarsfields fought their way back from eight points down after 38 minutes to beat Cusheudun by three in Sunday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship opening round-robin game at the Bear Pit. When Conlaoth McNeill pointed for the Emmet’s to put them eight clear, seven minutes into the second half, it appeared that the Cushendun side had safely negotiated their opening round game, but incredibly the visitors never raised a flag for the next 23 minutes as Sarsfields took control of the match, and by the time McNeill scored again in injury time the game had slipped from their grasp. The goal brought them back to within three and suddenly there was a little bit of hope of salvaging something, but the Paddies held firm and sealed the win with a bit to spare, a victory that transforms their season.
Relegated to Division 3 this season there were few pundits who gave the Paddies much of a chance in this game, and when Cushendun had the better of the first half, things appeared to be going that way. Conor McHugh hit the opening score for the visitors on three minutes but Sarsfields hit back two minutes later with a goal by corner forward Malachy Campbell to take a two point lead. They stretched their lead to four as Donal and Niall McKernan added points, and though ‘Loaf’ McNeill pulled one back for Cushendun, the gap was soon out to five when Caolan and Donal McKernan swung over two points inside a minute.
Cushendun started to settle into the game and three points from McNeill and two from Conor McHugh saw them draw level with the Belfast men. A great goal by Conrad McDonnell on 18 minutes put the Emmet’s three clear and though Donal McKernan came back with a point, it was to be the Paddies last score of the half and Cushendun produced a storming finish to the half with a second goal from Conrad McDonnell, plus three pointed frees from Loaf McNeill to lead by six at half time. (2-10 to 1-07)
Niall McKenna pulled one back for Sarsfields at the start of the second half to cut the gap to five, but when Cushendun hit back with two points from McNeill and one from Callum Kilgore, to stretch their lead to eight, the visiting fans must surely have thought the win was secure.
However things turned out much differently than expected and after Niall McKenna pulled back a couple of points a sideline ‘cut’ was sent in around the Emmet’s goal area where Donal McKernan rose brilliantly to double the ball to the net. Suddenly the Paddies were in charge all over the field and two points from McKenna and one from Caolan McKernan brought them level and they pushed on to lead by six with just two minutes left for play. Cushendun ended a twenty three minute scoreless spell when Loaf McNeill fired in a goal, but Sarsfields held their nerve in a hectic finish to seal a remarkable win.
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