Cuala end Sarsfields' provincial adventure
Sarsfields players left despondent after a crucial decision goes Cuala's way. Photos: INPHO/Nick Elliott.
Leinster and All-Ireland favourites, Cuala easily brushed aside the Sarsfields challenge in the quarter-final of the AIB Leinster Senior Club Football Championship played in a cold but dry Parnell Park on Saturday evening.
In fairness to the Kildare champions, Sarsfields matched their opponents in the opening 30 minutes and despite a one-point lead, they probably felt they could and should have been further ahead. It was a power-packed second half display from the Dublin champions, however, that saw them outscore Sarsfields by 1-12 to 0-4 and ease into a semi-final place.
Cuala were quickly out of the blocks and an opening minute two pointer from Eoin Kennedy gave them the perfect start, but Sarsfields responded in style. Ben McCormack replied with a brilliant left footed effort after he left two defenders in his wake. Ryan Kearney quickly levelled before McCormack added his second and Sarsfields were deservedly in front.
Sarsfields were showing tremendous hunger and workmate as they upset the Cuala game plan time after time in that opening half. Shay Ryan and Ryan Kearney on the end of all Sarsfields good work. Karl Hartley added a fourth point on the run before Cathal White found himself deep in attack and his call for an advanced mark was rewarded with a 20-metre score. 20 minutes in and Sarsfields were three up.
A quiet opening 20 minutes from Con O Callaghan was quickly rectified on 21 and 23 with two simple points from just inside the 45-metre line. Two minutes later it was the turn of Niall O’Callaghan to ad his first score as he landed a two-pointer to put Cuala back in front.
Both sides created a goal chance in a hectic passage of play that saw the game move end to end A short kickout from Cathal Moore was intercepted by Peter Duffy and his first time shot came back off the post. Sarsfields broke forward and a quick Callum Bolton free played in Luke Mahon, but Darragh O Dowd stood tall to make an important save.
Sarsfields finished out the half with two points in a row. Firstly, Shay Ryan found space in front of goal before firing over his first. A Sarsfields free deep in the Cuala end close to the sideline was well worked and Daragh Ryan edged the Kildare side 0-7 to 0-6 ahead as half time approached.
Sarsfields were dealt a significant injury blow right on the half time whistle when Ben McCormack had to make way for Ben Loakman. Already without captain Barry Coffey, midfielder Mattie Byrne and full back Cian Hughes prior to the start Sarsfields faced an uphill battle despite having the wind advantage for the second half.
Cuala returned a different side after the break. They upped their game to a level that saw them All-Ireland champions only two years previous and despite a promising opening half from the Sash they were blown away.
Four points in four minutes had the Dublin three ahead. Charlie McMorrow showed power and strength before levelling the game. Two Con O Callaghan points were quickly followed by a point from. Peter Duffy as he and Peader O Cofaigh Byrne took complete control of the midfield battle.
Luke Mahon and Ryan Kearney gave the Sash renewed hope with excellent points but as quick as the hope came it evaporated as quickly. Eoin Kennedy added his third point before the games opening goal arrived on 41 minutes. Charlie McMorrow played in Niall O’Callaghan deep in Sarsfields territory but his first time pass across the square was met by Dan O’Sullivan who gave Cathal Moore no chance with a low finish.
Niall and Con O’Callaghan continued to torment the Sarsfields rearguard with 3 of the next four points and with 15 minutes to play Cuala were eight ahead. Cathal Moore made amends for an intercepted kickout as he denied Niall O Callaghan a second Cuala goal. Substitutes James Conroy and Conor Mullaly had time to get late scores either side of Con O Callaghan's sixth as Cuala were easing to an uncontested win.
After going 25 minutes without a score Con Kavanagh and Conor O Donovan landed late consolation scores and at the end of a disappointing evening for the Kildare side Cuala advanced to the semi-final.
Cuala were sluggish for long periods against Tullamore in the opening round but after half time in this Dublin v Kildare battle, they showed their title credentials with a polished display.
Kildare champions Sarsfields now know the standard required to reach the top in even Leinster and despite having a relatively young panel, they have the ability to come back for another go.
Cuala will have a home semi-final in Parnell Park and are awaiting either Portarlington or Rathvilly and you wouldn't bet against them continuing their unbeaten Leinster run.
Darragh O’Dowd; Danny Conroy, Michael Fitzsimons, Eoghan O’Callaghan; Eoin Kennedy 0-3 (tpf), Charlie McMorrow 0-1, David O’Dowd; Peader O Cofaigh Byrne, Peter Duffy 0-1; Conor Groarke, Cal Doran, Dan O’Sullivan 1-1; Conor O’Brien, Con O’Callaghan 0-6 (2f), Niall O’Callaghan 0-4 (2f).
James Conroy 0-1 for C O’Brien 41, Conor Mullaly 0-1 for D O’Sullivan 49, Daniel Drummond for D Conroy 53, Killian O’Shea for E Kennedy 57, James Keenan for C Groarke 57.
Cathal Moore; Colm Harnett, Con Kavanagh 0-1, Jimmy O’Neill; Daragh Conlon, David Shalvey, Cathal White 0-1 (m); Callum Bolton, Shea Ryan 0-1; Conor O’Donovan 0-1, Ryan Kearney 0-2, Daragh Ryan 0-1; Ben McCormack 0-2, Luke Mahon 0-1, Karl Hartley 0-1.
Ben Loakman for B McCormack 29, Barry Coffey for L Mahon 42, Mattie Byrne for D Conlon 46, TJ Donohue for D Ryan 53, Kieran Dwyer for C White 55.
Alan Coyne.
