Late drive for line sees Sars win classic

Sarsfields 1-20 Na Piarsaigh 1-17

This was an amazing match, the East Cork side snatching the win courtesy of three injury-time points in one of the finest games of hurling to be seen at this level.

The opening 30 minutes had the sides locked together on five occasions. The scores were top-drawer. Sarsfields recorded some fine points, in particular from Shane O’Driscoll, Liam Healy and Sean Higgins. The Na Piarsaigh reply was swift, with duo Evan Sheehan and Dan Gunning standing out as the teams turned around at 0-9 apiece.

Na Piarsaigh drew first blood in the second half through a Jamie McGrath goal but Sarsfields raised their game and when Tristan O’Leary netted in the 50th minute, it was game on.

The teams were tied three more times before Sarsfields eventually got their noses in front. Jack O’Connor pointed twice and O’Driscoll also scored as the Imokilly outfit finished at their brilliant best.

Scorers for Sarsfields: J O’Connor 0-5, T O’Leary 1-1, S O’Driscoll 0-4 (1f), S Higgins (1f) and L Healy 0-3 each, D Lonergan 0-2 (2f), J O’Leary and D Walsh 0-1 each.

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: D Gunning 0-8 (4f, 1 65), E Sheehan 0-5, J McGrath 1-1, C Hannafin 0-2, C Allen 0-1.

SARSFIELDS: C Looney; S Higgins, K Crowley, S Garvey; C Roche, D Lonergan, Z Walsh; J O’Leary, S O’Driscoll; S Higgins, L Healy, J O’Connor; D Walsh, T O’Leary, P O’Driscoll.

Sub: A Hackett for P O’Driscoll (36).

NA PIARSAIGH: S O’Meara; A Lehane, K Power (Capt), M McCarthy; D Roche, G Healy, D Morrissey; K Ahern, C Hanafin; J Morrissey, D Gunning, C Allen; J McGrath, E Sheehan, K Forde.

Subs: C Bowen for A Lehane (60), D Maguire for C Allen (62, inj).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).