Champs Sars have plenty to spare, on pitch and in reserve

Last year's double winner Sarsfields retained their RedFM Division 1 league title.

Sarsfields celebrate their win in the Red FM Hurling League Division 1 Final. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

RedFM Division 1 final: Sarsfields 1-24 Charleville 1-15 

Sarsfields won the double last year, league and championship. In Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday the first box was ticked when they retained the RedFM Division 1 league title.

The Premier senior hurling championship gets under way in a few weeks, an opening round with Douglas awaits.

With no shortage of emerging talent, manager Johnny Crowley is also expecting a number of experienced players to return.

“It's great to see the young lads progressing and coming through. From last year against Blackrock (quarter-final), there are only five fellas in the same position and there were six new faces there tonight,” he said.

“We are delighted to win, this is the second biggest competition in senior hurling in Cork. We are champions for two years and that is something we are very proud of.

“Jack O’Connor is missing (Cork seniors). Cathal McCarthy is probably another four or five weeks. Killian Murphy is back doing a small bit of non-contact, probably three weeks away. Craig Leahy is on holiday, he’ll be back. Aaron Myers is home after playing in America, he has that travel bug so we’ll have to see. Luke Elliott is back next week. Liam Healy has a twinge on his hamstring. William Kearney will be back from his honeymoon.” 

That the Denis Conroy Cup was on its way back to Riverstown long before the final whistle, tells the story.

Sarsfields, still without their pitch after it was destroyed in last October’s floods, took the upper hand on the stroke of half-time when Shane O’Regan billowed the net, 1-15 to 0-6.

Daniel Hogan returned 10 points overall, and their final tally came by the way of 10 different scorers.

Charleville, managed by Seoirse Bulfin, will be disappointed with their showing, albeit Darragh Fitzgibbon’s return will be a big boost ahead of their opener against Midleton.

DJ Collins' goal provided a mini resurgence in the 47th minute, 1-12 to 1-20.

Scorers for Sarsfields: D Hogan (0-10, 0-9 frees), S O’Regan (1-1), Colm McCarthy (0-3), C Darcy, J Sweeney and P Leopold (0-2 each), C O’Sullivan, E Murphy, D Kearney and B Nodwell (0-1 each).

Scorers for Charleville: A Cagney (0-5 frees), DJ Collins (1-0), D Forde (0-3, 0-2 frees), T Hawe and C Buckley (0-2 each), S Gleeson, D O’Riordan (free) and A Dennehy (0-1 each).

SARSFIELDS: D McCarthy; C O’Sullivan (Capt), K Crowley, C Roche; B Murphy, E Murphy, P Leopold; C Darcy, J O’Leary; D Kearney, D Hogan, J Sweeney; B Nodwell, Colm McCarthy, S O’Regan.

Subs: D Long for D Kearney (47), D English for K Crowley (55), E O’Sullivan for B Nodwell (57), D Roche for E Murphy (58), Cillian McCarthy for S O’Regan (59), K Walsh for C Roche (62).

CHARLEVILLE: C Collins; F Cagney, J Buckley (Capt), D Butler; O O’Connell, A Dennehy, R Carroll; D O’Flynn, D Casey; G Kelleher, A Cagney, C Buckley; J O’Brien, D Forde, T Hawe.

Subs: DJ Collins for J O’Brien (half-time), D O’Riordan for D Casey (45), M Kavanagh for G Kelleher (53), S Gleeson for O O’Connell (54), B O’Connell for R Carroll (62).

Referee: Ian McCarthy (Bandon).