Castletown 1-10, Sarsfields 1-4:

A strong first-half performance was enough to ensure that Castletown retaind the White¹s Hotel All-County Football League Premier ŒA¹ football crown at the second attempt at the expense of a plucky Sarsfields in a drenched Tomnahely on Monday evening last.
An impressive attacking performance in the opening half, in which 1-7 was yielded, was enough to claim victory for the north county men, although a flurry of bad wides meant that they weren¹t ahead by as much as they probably should have been.
While Castletown dominated the early exchanges, the opening score didn¹t arrive until the sixth minute, thanks to the trusty boot of James Holmes.
Although Andrew Moore did respond for Sarsfields soon after, the remainder of the half belonged to the victors who, despite the incessant rain, played with a swagger in their step. Indeed, they chalked up a further 1-6 before Sarsfields got their next score, meaning that the game had a sense of inevitability at the interval.
Holmes fired over another score before the game¹s first key moment arrived when the hard-working Jody O¹Shaughnessy fired home a fine goal after a great through ball from Clare native Peter O¹Dwyer. This goal appeared to inspire the Castletown men and, buoyed on by a man of the match performance from Colm Morris, they proceeded to score further points courtesy of Kevin Morris (two), James Holmes, Des Carty and Jesse Foley, with the latter¹s being particularly impressive. These flurry of points had Castletown in a commanding position at the interval, leading as they did by 1-7 to 0-3.
Sarsfields started the new half with added gusto and, armed with tactical changes at the break, really took the game to their opponents. Ciarán O¹Leary pointed a long-range free after 33 minutes before the Wexford town men recieved a lifeline when county Minor hurler Noel Walsh appeared to get the last touch to a long, floating delivery which ended up in the back of the Castletown net.
This major added extra spice to the game, which now saw both teams going hell for leather for victory. However, while the goal boosted Sarsfields¹ confidence, it proved to be their last score as Castletown decided to shut up shop.
Indeed, the victors found an extra gear and forced Sarsfields into defending at a time when they were desperate for extra scores. Central to Castletown¹s increased impetus was the continued excellence of Colm Morris, who constanly seemed to be in the right place at the right time and continually scuppered every Sarsfields attack.
The final ten minutes saw limited chances but the same amount of passion as Sarsfields vainly tried to muster some sort of a revival. However, indiscipline in the Castletown rearguard failed to be punished as Sarsfields opted for the long ball into the square rather than settling for the score.

Castletown: Anthony Masterson (capt.); Alan Molloy, Paul Morris, Risteárd Kinsella; Colin Molloy (0-1), Noel Morris, George Sunderland; Jesse Foley (0-1), Tomás Sheehy; Des Carty (0-1), Peter O¹Dwyer (0-1), James Holmes (0-3, 2 frees); Kevin Morris (0-2), Jody O¹Shaughnessy (1-0), Colm Morris (0-1). Sub. - Martin Hempenstall for Carty,
Sarsfields: James Roice; Brendan Mulligan, Michael Hanrahan, Enda Whelan; Shane Barnes, Colin Bent, Colm Callery; Ciarán O¹Leary (capt., 0-1 free), Andrew Moore (0-1); Kevin Gore, Barry Goff, Emmet Keeling; Philip Cullen (0-2 frees), Noel Walsh (1-0), Lee Walker. Subs. - Paul Harrington for Barnes, Fran Cleary for Callery.
Referee: Syl Doyle (Ballyhogue).

Castletown 0-10, Sarsfields 2-4 (after extra-time):

Holders Castletown came from behind both in normal time and extra-time to force a draw with home side Sarsfields in an engrossing White¹s Hotel All-County Football League Premier 'A' final in Páirc Charman on Tuesday last.
Initially the title seemed to be slipping away from the north county men when they trailed by 2-3 to 0-6 in the 53rd minute while playing against the elements.
However, the experience gained from contesting last year¹s championship final stood to them despite the absence of Colm Morris due to county commitments, and Sarsfelds were reeled in with late points from Des Carty (free), James Holmes and Carty again from play 40 seconds into added time (0-9 to 2-3).
Castletown played with the strong wind in the first period of extra-time but seemed to be in trouble after neither side managed a score.
An early Peter O¹Dwyer effort was well saved by James Roice, while the Clare man later palmed a George Sunderland cross to the net but referee David Jenkins had already blown his whistle for a 'square ball'.
Sarsfields showed their intent a mere 20 seconds into the last period when Andrew Moore and Cian Hore combined to set up Philip Cullen for the lead point.
However, the town team - seeking a title to mark their centenary year - didn¹t score again, and Noel Morris levelled three minutes later after coming forward from centre-back to support the attack.
The best chance of breaking the deadlock fell to Sarsfields captain Ciarán O¹Leary near the end, but his shot for goal was saved by Anthony Masterson and he sent the resultant ¹45 wide.
Castletown had been on top in the first-half but a 0-5 to 0-1 interval lead was poor reward given the strength of the wind behind them which was blowing towards the railway end.
They registered four scores from Des Carty (free), George Sunderland, James Holmes (play and free) between the eighth and 23rd minutes, with Enda Whelan saving Sarsfields¹ bacon earlier when he made a goal-line clearance after Jody O¹Shaughnessy sent the ball into the square from the right corner.
Philip Cullen had a soccer-style attempt on goal saved by Anthony Masterson in the 12th minute, and Sarsfields had to wait until close to half-time before Ciarán O¹Leary got them off the mark from a free.
A Des Carty response made it 0-5 to 0-1 at the break, and he scored again within two minutes of the re-start. Anthony Masterson then filled the roles of hero and villain in equal measure
- saving a Philip Cullen penalty after a footblock on Emmet Keeling before letting a long-range shot from Lee Walker drop out of his hands and into the net, with the officials agreeing that the ball had fallen from his grasp before he was challenged.
It looked like the pendulum was swinging in Sarsfields¹ favour even more when a crossfield Andrew Moore delivery found county Minor hurler Noel Walsh who rattled the net with a low drive in the 45th minute (2-1 to 0-6).
Philip Cullen and Ciarán O¹Leary added points from frees, but they couldn¹t close out the game and those three late Castletown scores led to extra-time.
Castletown: Anthony Masterson (capt.); Barry Lynch, Paul Morris, Alan Molloy; Colin Molloy, Noel Morris (0-1), Risteárd Kinsella; Jesse Foley, Tomás Sheehy; Des Carty (0-5, 4 frees), George Sunderland (0-1), James Holmes (0-3, 1 free); Kevin Morris, Peter O¹Dwyer, Jody O¹Shaughnessy. Subs.- Martin Hempenstall for O¹Shaughnessy, John Flanagan for K. Morris, O¹Shaughnessy for Flanagan.
Sarsfields: James Roice; Brendan Mulligan, Michael Hanrahan, Enda Whelan; Colm Callery, Colin Bent, Shane Barnes; Ciarán O¹Leary (capt., 0-2 frees), Andrew Moore; Kevin Gore, Barry Goff, Emmet Keeling; Lee Walker (1-0), Noel Walsh (1-0), Philip Cullen (0-2, 1 free). Subs. - Cian Hore for Gore, Fran Cleary for Callery, Paul Harrington for Moore.
Referee: David Jenkins (Gusserane).

Last Updated by

Kevin Carty