Mackey's late goal seals win for Sash
Sarsfields celebrate after their win over St Laurences Photo: Sean Brilly
A goal from Sarsfields corner back Senan Mackey eight minutes from time was the icing on the cake for the home side as they overcame a one point deficit at the half time break before eventually running out eight point winners over St Laurences in the final of the Division 1A Minor Football Summer League.
The four earlier rounds saw these two sides finish joint top but it was Sarsfields who earned the home fixture.
Both sides were short regulars and St Laurences also removed three of their senior panelists, presumably with a view to championship next weekend. It allowed Sarsfields to take a match winning control in the third quarter.
Cormac Dolan got forward from corner back to open the scoring for the Larries inside two minutes. TJ Nolan converted a free on six to double the lead as Sarsfields struggled to get to grips in the early stages. A solid Sash defensive unit saw them break at pace but it took eight minutes for Luke Mahon to open their account, Dylan Dunne and Harry Redmond combined for the latter to fire over the leveller ten minutes in.
A good save Daniel Shaw in the Larries goal from Rian Beagan helped keep the game level but Laurences responded and they had opened a three point gap at the end of the opening quarter. Three wonderful long range points from Senan Murphy, with two, and Ruaidhri Lawlor opening the gap between the sides Cian Edmonds and Harry Redmond reduced the deficit to the minimum as the game was now end to end.
The sides shared four points before the break to leave St Laurences 0-7 to 0-6 ahead. Aaron Faivey and Pierce O'Dwyer responding to Rian Beagan and a Luke Mahon free before Alan Archbold brought the half to a close.
The Larries lost the influential Murphy at half time and the withdrawal of TJ Nolan eight minutes in meant the visitors had an uphill battle.
Sarsfields had the advantage of a slight second half breeze and they would hit seven points in a row before O'Dwyer converted a 51st minute free for the Larries, that proved to be their only score of the second half.
A brilliant block from Senan Mackey just after half time resulted in a Jamie Hargaden point from play as Sarsfields moved the ball the lenght of the field. Ross Kenny with two from wing back,Cian Edmonds and Rian Beagan both added their second points of the game before Conor O'Donovan and Rob Flynn helped open that six point lead before O Dwyer's free.
As the game moved inside the closing ten minutes Sarsfields struck the games first and only goal. A slick move saw Harry Redmond find full forward Luke Mahon and he quickly put Senan Mackey in on goal before he shot high to the net. It was just reward for the corner back who had made a run the lenght of the field to get on the end of the move.
Both sides emptied the benches as they saw out the closing minutes without a score but Sarsfields had done enough for a 1-13 to 0-8 victory to secure the title.
Its safe to say both of these sides will be around come the business end of the minor championship starting in mid August.
