Ulster JHC Club semi-final
Sarsfields 1-13 Swatragh 1-21
A strong and talented Michael Davitt’s Swatragh pulled away in the second half to overcome the challenge of Padraig Sarsfield’s in a competitive Ulster Junior Championship semi-final at Dunsilly on Saturday afternoon.
The Antrim Junior Champions had finished the opening half superbly to close the gap to two points and looked to be gaining the momentum and perhaps the half time whistle came too soon for the Stewartstown Road side.
A goal from Eoghan O’Kane which arrived 10 seconds after the throw-in gave the Derry side a five point cushion on the restart and while Sarsfields gave it everything, they were never able to claw back the Swatragh lead.
Swatragh, who competed in the Derry Senior championship this year and were 2024 Ulster Intermediate finalists went into this one as odds on favourites and the favourites tag appeared to be justified when they raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after 6 minutes.
Cormac Murray split the posts after 20 seconds and further points from Eoghan O’Kane, a James Friel converted free and another from play by Fintan McGurk looked to have put them in total control.
Sarsfield’s were losing out in the physical battles and their attacking efforts were being repelled comfortably by a dominant Swatragh defence but Kevin McKernan finally got them off the mark from a converted ‘65’ in the 7th minute.
‘Kevo’ would play a prominent part in his side’s comeback but it was his cousin, Donal McKernan who raised the biggest cheer from the travelling Stewartstown Road support when he split the posts from 70 meters after McGurk had converted at the other end.
The Sarsfield number 7’s effort seemed to ignite Sarsfields however and Kevin McKernan and his opposite number 11, James Friel exchanged further pointed frees and a further conversion from ‘Kevo’ had the gap down to three at the end of the opening quarter.
Cathal Murray extended that lead to four in the 19th minute to give Swatragh some breathing space, while a controversial intervention from the linesman helped Murray add another score shortly afterwards.
Sarsfields responded with two excellent efforts from Caolan McKernan and Kevin McKernan to bring the contest back to within a goal.
The Paddies were enjoying a much better spell and introduced Garry Lennon for Kevin McArdle, a change which soon paid dividends when Lennon produced a terrific score from a tight angle in the 29th minute.
However, Swatragh finished the half strongly. Friel landed a superb long-range effort before McKernan replied for Sarsfields on the stroke of half-time to leave just two points between the sides.
The game took another twist almost immediately after the restart when O’Kane found the net for Swatragh, his effort squeezing through the grasp of Sarsfields goalkeeper David Ward to give the Derry men a valuable cushion.
Sarsfields needed a response and Enda McCartan provided it with an immediate point, but Friel kept Swatragh firmly in control with another converted free.
McKernan continued to carry the fight for the Belfast side, landing an excellent free before Swatragh’s Conor Murray produced a terrific effort off the stick to maintain the advantage.
The exchanges were becoming increasingly competitive, with McKernan and Dominic Bradley trading scores before Cahal Murray pushed Swatragh further clear.
Friel was proving particularly influential from placed balls and another excellent free extended the advantage, although McKernan continued to offer Sarsfields hope with a fine effort off the shoulder.
Cahal Murray added another score for Swatragh before O’Kane got his name on the score-sheet again with an excellent effort, leaving the Paddies with a significant mountain to climb.
Murray continued to torment the Sarsfields defence, adding another score as Swatragh looked to put the result beyond doubt.
To their credit, the Belfast men refused to throw in the towel. McCartan registered another point in the 53rd minute before Mick McCormack produced two important scores in quick succession to give the Paddies something to chase.
Sarsfields needed something special to bring themselves back into contention and Oisin Coleman provided a moment of encouragement when he found the net in the 59th minute.
The goal gave the Belfast side renewed belief heading into the closing stages, but Swatragh remained determined to protect their advantage.
The contest became even more difficult for Sarsfields when Fionn Jeffrey received a red card in the 63rd minute, leaving the Paddies facing the final stages with fourteen men.
Despite the late rally and Coleman’s goal giving them a glimmer of hope, Swatragh had done enough through their earlier dominance and impressive scoring contributions to see out the contest.
O’Kane’s goal was undoubtedly a crucial moment, while the accuracy of Friel from frees and the contributions of Cahal Murray and McGurk provided the platform for a deserved Swatragh victory.
For Sarsfields, McKernan’s scoring return and the late efforts of McCartan, McCormack and Coleman demonstrated plenty of fight, but their slow start ultimately left them with too much ground to make up.
Sarsfields: 1 David Ward, 2 Ronan McKenna, 3 David Johnston, 4 Jay Ward, 5 Jay Maguire, 6Caolan McKernan, 7 Donal McKernan, 8 Darren Delander, Niocolas O’Mullane, 10 Daniel Smith, 11 Kevin McKernan, 12 Cormac Mulligan, 13 Fionn Jemfrey, 14 Niall Mc an Lia, 15 Kevin Barry McArdle.
Subs: 18 Noah McGivern, 24 Gary Lennon, 22 Endas McCartan 23 Oisin Coleman
Swatragh: 1 Niall McQuillan, 2 Cathal Quinn, 3Patrick Turner, 4 Ben Kearney, 5 Tiernan Walsh, 6 Sean Martin Quinn, 7 Daire O’Lochlainn, 8 Dominic Bradley, 9 Cahal Murray, 10 Cathal J Quinn, 11 James Friel, 12 Conor Murray, 13 Eoghan O’Kane, 14 Fintan McGurk, 15 Ryan Tohill.
Subs: 23 Mick McCormack, 18 Brendan Bradley
Referee: John Dornan (Down)
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