AIB ULSTER CLUB INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Patrick Sarsfields (Antrim) 1-27, Castleblayney HC 0-11.
A sharper, slicker Patrick Sarsfields proved much too potent for Castleblayney in this quite one sided game that was played in blustery and greasy conditions in St Mary’s Park, Castleblayney, on Sunday afternoon last. To an extent this could be described as the Kevin McKernan show as the Sarsfield’s midfielder pretty much dictated matters from start to finish, finishing top scorer with 11 points, one in particular from a beautiful sideline cut from over 40 metres out. Despite the fact that Patrick Sarsfields were always in control Castleblayney stayed in this contest for most of the 1st half with Sarsfields finishing strongly for 3 points in injury time, 2 by Niall McKenna and one by Kevin McKernan from a free to leave 9 points between them at the break, Patrick Sarsfields 1-14, Castleblayney 0-8. The standard of play dropped somewhat in the 3rd quarter with the sides registering just 2 points each and Castleblayney suffering a body blow when Patrick Finnegan was sent off on a straight red card following an incident with Daniel McKernan. From there to the finish though Patrick Sarsfield’s took increasing control, hitting 10 unanswered points from the 22nd minute to the final whistle to record a comprehensive victory and lay down a marker as to their potential in this particular competition.
Teams and Scorers: Patrick Sarsfield’s: David Ward, Peter Corr, James Cunningham, Jack Daniels, Tommy.Doherty 0-2, Eoghan Rogers, Kevin Ward, Kevin McKernan 0-11 (4f), Daragh McGuinness 0-1, Daniel McKernan 1-3, Niall McKenna 0-8, Niall McAlea 0-1, Jim McKernan 0-1, Gary Lennon 0-1, David Johnston.
Castleblayney HC: David Connolly, Bernard Connor, Jim McHugh, Niall Glancy, Cormac McNally, Patrick Finnegan, Jack Deasy, Peter Treanor, Mark Treanor 0-1, Stephen Forde, Brian Flanagan, Brian McGuigan 0-2, Fergal Rafter 0-6 (6f), Hugh Byrne 0-1, Nathan Adair. Subs: Ciaran McBride for J Deasy, Deaglan Crowe for C McNally, Brian Connolly for B Connor, Pauric Malone for N Adair, James Carville for S Forde. Referee Tarlach Conway (Derry).
By Majella Boyd Thu 5th Oct
