Ulster Club JHC Semi-Final – Dunsilly 1-30pm
Sarsfield’s (Antrim) v Swatragh (Derry)
Sarsfield’s of Antrim are back in action on Saturday, following their win over Cootehill Celtic in Breffni Park last weekend and look to be facing a more formidable foe than the Cavan Champions.
Swatragh of Derry are their opponents at Dunsilly this Saturday and the Michael Davitt’s will start this one as firm favourites following a comprehensive win over Killeavey of Armagh in the quarter-final at Owenbeg last Saturday.
The Derry champions ran riot in that one, finishing 38 points ahead of an outclassed Armagh championship winners and they will be no strangers to Antrim hurling, having contested the Ulster Intermediate final 2 years ago.
They pushed Cathoir an Ri to the pin of their collars in that one in Loughgiel before going down to a strong Carey Faugh’s outfit and the fact that they are now contesting Junior this season will have raised a few eyebrows on the Stewartstown Road.
It is what it is however and Antrim champions, Sarsfield’s will be more than happy to be facing Swatragh on Saturday but will know that they will have to step their game up a gear if they are to advance to the final.
The ‘Paddies’ hit an impressive 4-19 in Breffni, good scoring in anybody’s books but the fact that they conceded 1-17 against the Cavan champions will be a cause for some concern and defence is a department they will feel they need to tighten up in.
Kevin McKernan converted 8 frees and added another from play to top score for the Stewartstown avenue side and Darren Delander 1-3, Fionn Jemfrey 2-2, Nick O’Mullane, Caolan McKernan 0-2, Gary Lennon, Cormac Mulligan and Daniel Smith all found the target.
The pleasing factor for the Sarsfield’s management is the fact that 8 different players got their name on the score sheet and they will be hoping that they can replicate that spread of scores at Dunsilly on Saturday.
At the same time Swatragh were brushing aside the challenge of Armagh’s Killeavy at Owenbeg in their quarter-final to book their place in the last four and the Derry champions went about their business in clinical fashion.
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The Armagh champions were simply no match for Michael Davitt’s, with Swatragh leading 2-15 to 0-4 at the interval after a rampant first-half display.
Ryan Tohill, Eoghan O’Kane, Cathal Murray, Dominic Bradley, Fintan McGurk, Patrick Turner and James Friel were all on target as Swatragh made the half-time journey to the dressing rooms, leading 2-15 to 0-4 with their place in the semi-final already secured.
Cathal Murray, Dominic Bradley and Fintain McGuirk added second half goals as Swatragh refused to take their foot of the pedal in the second half and they will travel to the Antrim centre of excellence with confidence on Saturday afternoon.
Sarsfield’s will need to open on the front foot and take the game to their opponents while tightening up in defence but if they can put their best game together then the Belfast side have the players to push Michael Davitt’s all the way.
An interesting footnote: Cootehill Celtic played in Green & White hoops last Saturday, the same colours as Swatragh. Perhaps this is a good omen and we certainly hope so!
Antrim Champions, Padraig Sarsfield’s who face Swatragh of Derry in he Ulster semi-final at Dunsilly on Saturday