IFC Semi-Final
Sarsfields 1-19 Glenavy 0-21
Sarsfields produced a strong final quarter to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat from a Glenavy side who looked on their way to victory when they led by eight with 9 minutes of the second half gone.
Leading by two as Brendan Toland sounded his half time whistle the Chapel Hill side were camped in the Sarsfields half early in the second period as they kicked six unanswered points and looked in complete control.
A Gary Lennon goal for the ‘Paddies’ in the 16th minute following a mix-up in the St. Joseph’s defence changed all that and when the same player followed with a 2 pointer, a minute later it was game on.
The Stewartstown Road side outscored their opponents 0-6 to 0-3 going down the home stretch to set up a final meeting with St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass in three weeks-time, the fourth time these sides will have met this year.
James Gallagher pointed Glenavy ahead after 30 seconds but Sarsfields replied through an excellent Brian Healey 2 pointer free and the Sarsfields number 15 would play a big part in his side’s eventual success.
It was Glenavy’s Fergal Henry who got the South West side going however as he raised an orange flag and followed with another from play and when James Gallagher kicked his second of the afternoon, St. Josephs were three ahead.
Back came the men from the Bear Pit as Healey hit three on the bounce and followed with a 2 point free to move his side ahead after 16 minutes but James Gallagher and a Fergal Henry double restored the Glenavy lead by the 24th minute.
Healey replied again for the Belfast side but St. Joseph’s responded again through Fergal Henry 0-2, Pearse O’Neill and Eoin Gallagher to move four in front as half time approached.
It was Sarsfields who finished the half on top however as Thomas Skillen and another Brian Healey free closed the gap to two at the short whistle.
HT 0-10 TO 0-12
Ruairi Forrester replaced Darra Doherty for Glenavy at the start of the second half and it was the Chapel Hill side who started strongly to assume almost total control with Fergal Henry leading the way.
Three points from the supremely accurate Henry and points from James Gallagher 0-2 and Eoin Gallagher had the men in Orange in a winning position with only 8 minutes of the new half gone but they somehow managed to throw that lead away.
Gary Lennon began the comeback with a goal in the 16th minute, his side’s first score of the second half and he followed with a 2 pointer and the momentum was very much with Sarsfields.
Fergal Henry fired over St. Joseph’s first point for 13 minutes but it was Brian Healey who was now turning the screw as he replied from a 2 pointer free and another single from play in response to another Henry point.
The momentum was now with Sarsfields as Healey pointed again and a 2 pointer from Jay Maguire and a fisted Conor Glenholmes point moved them 2 ahead before Patrick Gallagher kicked a late consolation point for Glenavy.
Sarsfields now go forward to meet St. Ergnat’s Moneyglass after their win over St. Teresa’s in the other semi-final on Saturday in this one has the making of an excellent final.
The sides have already met three times this season with both side having recorded a win and the other one finishing in a draw so there shouldn’t be too much between them.
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