U21B Football Championship
Rasharkin 1-15 Sarsfield’s 3-14
St. Mary’s Rasharkin and Patrick Sarsfield’s served up an excellent contest as the U21B Football Championship got under way on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors looked to have sewn matters up at the halfway stage when they led 3-7 to 0-4 after a wind assisted opening half but Rasharkin served up a strong second half performance to cause a bit of anxiety for the men from the Bear Pit.
In the end though it was Sarfield’s who deservedly advanced to the semi-final and on this performance they could be contenders for the title.
The excellent Oisin Casey pointed Rasharkin into the lead after a cagey opening 9 minutes where the home side managed possession into the breeze and it took a further 5 minutes before Brian Healy would kick the equaliser.
Indeed the Sarsfield’s forward might well have had a goal but it was Casey who would restore his side’s advantage as he pointed a free in the 15th minute and at this stage the St. Mary’s possession game was working well.
Things changed dramatically as Jack McLaughlin raced clear for a Sarsfield’s goal and further goals from Darren Delander and Brian Healy had the visitors in total control at the break when they led 3-7 to 0-4.
Brian Healey contributed four first half points to add to his goal while their centre half forward kicked two impressive 2 pointers.
Caolan McGarrell was Rasharkin’s other marksman with the other 3 coming from the excellent Oisin Casey who was the St. Mary’s driving force throughout.
Rasharkin were a different animal after the break as they set about eating into the Sarsfield’s lead with Daniel Doherty and 2 from Casey giving them a bright start to the second half.
The visitors were able to keep their noses in front however with Declan Barr fisting over and Healey 0-2 and Fionn Jemfry moving them 13 ahead by the 13th minute.
St. Mary’s were still fighting hard and a great 2 pointer from Oisin Casey and another from closer to goal and another from a Daniel Doherty free had it down to 9 with 12 minutes remaining.
Se Ferris punished a bad clearance to extend that lead to 10 but the home side were growing in confidence and a fisted goal from their star performer Casey gave them renewed hope.
It came too late to influence the outcome however with Brian Healey replying from a pointed free and Caolan McGarrell and Neil Darragh concluding the scoring with late points for a Rasharkin side, quite a number who are underage next year.
Brian Healey, Fionn Jemfry and Jay Maguire were best for a very good all round Sarsfield’s side while Oisin Casey, Oisin Doherty, Oisin McCamphill and Ciaran O’Neill were strong performers for Rasharkin.
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