Sars hold Ballinhassig’s late surge

THE spoils went Sarsfields’ way, thanks to hitting a purple patch in the opening quarter, but Ballinhassig left Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday with their pride intact after an admirable second-half recovery.

Indeed, they would have been celebrating victory in an absorbing Cork SHC contest but for the fact that Martin Coleman’s goal attempt four and a half minutes into injury time was deflected over the bar.

And, they could mainly thank outstanding full-forward Fintan O’Leary for being in that situation. His goals in the 39th and 51st minutes revitalised a strengthening challenge which marked a dramatic turn-around in fortunes from their 2-7 to 0-3 interval deficit.