Antrim Football League – Division1 – Relegation play-off semi-final
Sarsfields 3-17 Tir na nÓg Randalstown 2-14
Sarsfields stunned Tir na nÓg Randalstown with a sensational second-half comeback in Division 1 of the Antrim Football League at Davitt’s Park, running out 3-17 to 2-14 winners. Playing with the aid of a fresh wind in the first half, Randalstown started brightly, with Ciaran Logan kicking a great individual point from play after just two minutes. Sarsfields responded on seven minutes with a good long-range point from Conor Morley, and took the lead two minutes later when Garry Lennon converted a free following a Randalstown breach. The Paddies extended their advantage on 11 minutes when a superb length-of-the-field move was finished to the net by Lennon. However, Randalstown fought back strongly. Darragh Fagan pointed on 16 minutes, and Ryan O’Neill struck a massive long-range two-pointer two minutes later to shift the momentum. Fagan then found the net with a good goal on 22 minutes to put Randalstown in control. Sarsfields kept in touch through a Daniel Smyth free and a 45 from Jay Maguire, but late points from Caleb Smith and Eamon McAllister following a defensive mix-up gave Randalstown a 1-08 to 1-04 half-time lead. Despite the deficit, Sarsfields had defended well against the wind, leaving them in a good position for the second period.
The second half opened with a great individual point from play by Randalstown’s Oliver McAtamney on 32 minutes, which was soon followed by a great two-pointer from a free by Fagan. Sarsfields began their comeback with a free from Maguire on 38 minutes and a great long-range point from play by Morley on 40 minutes. Tomas Skillen added a good individual score on 43 minutes, and after Fagan pointed another free, Lennon responded from play on 45 minutes. The game took a dramatic turn a minute later when Sarsfields lost a man to the sin bin for ten minutes following a black card for a foot trip. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Sarsfields rallied to score a well-worked team goal finished by Smyth on 48 minutes. Fagan and Smyth traded points shortly after, before Randalstown seemed to regain control on 55 minutes when a ball across the square from the wing was tapped to the net by Fagan.
Facing a late deficit, Sarsfields produced a remarkable scoring burst to close out the game. Smyth landed a good long-range two-pointer on 58 minutes and followed it up with a two-pointer from a free just a minute later. Philip McPeake then drove forward to point from play on 61 minutes, and Smyth slotted another free to keep the pressure on. The decisive moment arrived on 63 minutes when a great length-of-the-field move ended with Lennon firing to the net for his second goal of the game. Randalstown managed to pull a point back through their substitute number 18 on 64 minutes, but it was not enough to halt the home side’s momentum. Sarsfields had the final say on 65 minutes when McPeake fisted the ball over the bar, sealing a spectacular 3-17 to 2-14 victory. The result means Randalstown will now go on to play Moneyglass in the relegation final.
Sarsfields: 1 Cayden Smith, 2 Martin McPolin, 3 Cormac Muirí, 4 Kevin Barry McArdle, 5 Philip McPeake, 6 Joe McNally, 7 Fionn Jemfrey, 8 Caolan McKernan, 9 Conor Morley, 10 Daniel Smyth, 11 Jay Maguire, 12 Tomas Skillen, 13 Conor Glenholmes, 14 Garry Lennon, 15 Cormac Mulligan.
Randalstown: 1 Concobhar McKenna, 2 Ciaran McGrellis, 3 Brandon McLarnon, 4 Jude Storrie, 5 Barry McCormick, 7 Ciaran Logan, 8 Ryan O’Neill, 9 Oliver McAtamney, 10 Paudric Redmond, 11 Ciaran O’Neill, 12 Sean McKeown, 13 Caleb Smith, 14 Darragh Fagan, 15 Eamonog McAllister
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