Sars advance to last four after edging out brave Newcestown

Sarsfields 1-14 Newcestown 2-08

Having drawn level early in the second half, they fell behind to Cian Healy’s goal but only conceded one more point thereafter as points from Daniel O’Mahony, Cian Daly. Ed Gaffey and Donal English were joined by a goal from David Dawson.

Newcestown had led for all of the first half, given impetus by a goal inside two minutes from Seánie Ryan after Luke Meade’s driving run.

By the end of the first quarter, the Carbery champions – missing star man Trevor Horgan – had opened up a five-point lead, 1-2 to 0-1, Healy with two frees as Sars laboured.

As the half wore on, though, the quality increased and O’Mahony was to the fore as the Glanmire side began to get back into contention, with Conor Kelleher also showing up well as they cut the gap to just a point coming up to half-time.

Captain Meade ensured Newcestown led by two points at the interval, but Sars began the second half better, with O’Mahony bringing them level.

In the 44th minute, however, Newcestown struck again, Healy reading Liam O’Mahony’s delivery all the way to nip in and flick the ball to the net, but Sars had a response again.

They tied the game again and after Murt Kennelly went close to another Newcestown goal, Dawson rifled home a breaking ball to give them the initiative. They now await either Blackrock or Aghabullogue, whose scheduled game was postponed.

Scorers for Sarsfields: D O’Mahony 0-7 (0-5f), D Dawson 1-0, E Gaffey 0-2, S O’Sullivan, C Daly, D Dawson, C Kelleher, D English 0-1 each.

Scorers for Newcestown: C Healy 1-3 (three frees), S Ryan 1-0, M Kennelly, J Meade (0-1 65 0-2 each, L Meade 0-1 each.

SARSFIELDS: G O’Callaghan; S Quinn, T McAuliffe, A Walsh; K Burke, E Murphy, I Burke; J O’Sullivan, P Leopold; D O’Mahony, E Gaffey, D Dawson; C Kelleher, J Flannery, L Hackett.

Subs: K Doyle for McAuliffe (22, injured), D English for O’Sullivan (38).

NEWCESTOWN: J McCarthy; L O’Donovan, G Murphy, N Murray; C O’Mahony, C O’Neill, L O’Mahony; M McSweeney, J Meade; L Meade, M Kennelly, D Curran; S Ryan, S O’Donovan, C Healy.

Subs: P Curran for Kennelly, C Clarke for O’Mahony (both 51), J O’Toole for Healy (56).

Referee: N Wall (Carrigaline).