A good victory for the Sarsfields

ST PATRICK’S 1-7

SARSFIELDS had a good win over St Patrick’s in this league encounter.

The Highmoss side were missing Colin Stevenson, Ruaidhri McKernan and Paul McGaughey and Michael Stevenson because of the county couldn’t play.

St Patrick’s had players unavailable and no doubt this contributed to their concerns that the match shouldn’t be played because of a wet pitch. The match however went ahead, having survived the pitch inspection and the referee being held up on route.

Early on both defences were on top and given the heavy conditions this match was unlikely to be a high scoring affair. Richie Stevenson just missed out with an effort from 40 metres before Eamon McGeown hit a goal with his and Highmoss’ first score. It was a good move instigated by Paul McGeown who found Eamon with a good pass. With the keeper beaten the full back managed to put in a save, but fortunately for Sarsfields he fumbled and dropped the ball behind the line. With Sarsfields having most of the play Eamon McGeown hit a ball wide and Johnny Reynolds hit a nice point and dropped another shot just short. A 40 metre free from Tony Donnelly provided the visitors with their first scoring opportunity.

With scores coming infrequently Richie Stevenson made it 1-02 for Highmoss against 0-01 for Cullyhanna. The visitors though hit 1-02 without reply to lead by a point at the break. Their goal came from Sarsfields losing the ball in the attack and St Patrick’s broke through Tony Donnelly who supplied Eugene Casey and he finished off with a superb goal.

A couple of frees each left the minimum between the sides early in the second half. A good attack saw Sarsfields hit a great goal. A direct ball in from Darren Breen was palmed down by Paul McGeown to the incoming Mark Reynolds who blasted the ball beyond the Cullyhanna keeper, Conor O’Neill.

Johnny Reynolds did well to hold on to a free in from Paul McGeown and he added a great point to leave Sarsfields three ahead. The next period was poor in terms of scoring with both sides missing chances they should have taken. A Cullyhanna free ended a fifteen minute scoreless period in the match Eamon McGeown ended this barren period for Sarsfields with a well taken goal.

A shot from Richie Stevenson came off the inside of the post and out along the end line. Eamon reacted first; rose to collect the ball turned on the end line and put the ball under the Cullyhanna keeper to push Highmoss into a five point lead. Cullyhanna came back with two pointed frees from Eugene Casey and Tony Donnelly respectively, but a third Johnny Reynolds point ensured that Sarsfields remained two scores ahead.

Sarsfields: Darran McAvoy, Ciaran Kerr, Johnny Niblock, Peter Stevenson, Declan Breen, Darren Breen, Aidan Haughian, Paul Magee, Brian Lavery, Eamon McGeown (2-0), Mark Reynolds (1-0), Eimeíd Murray, Johnny Reynolds (0-3), Paul McGeown, Richie Stevenson (0-2),

Substitutes used; Brian Kerr for Declan Breen, Kieran McAlinden for Aidan Haughian.