Fintan O'Toole Reports from Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Sarsfields (Cork) 1-25

Feakle (Clare) 1-17

SARSFIELDS ENDED THEIR own miserable Munster hurling record and Cork’s recent travails in the competition to claim victory at the semi-final stage today over Clare’s Feakle.

Bouncing back from their Cork final loss to divisional team Imokilly, Sarsfields hit the last eight points of the game to pull clear of Feakle, a blistering run of scoring form that finally settled this contest.

Aaron Myers (1-6), Jack O’Connor (0-4) and Cathal McCarthy (0-4) were the scoring stars from play as they settled the issue in this game. Next up is the daunting task of a final against title holders Ballygunner, but this was a result that marked a sign of definite progress for Sarsfields.

Feakle and Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan. James Lawlor / INPHO James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO

They had challenges to overcome in the form of their poor shooting early on, amassing eight wides in the opening quarter, and the sharp play of Feakle, entering the game after collecting their first Clare crown in 36 years. They were in front 0-5 to 0-1 after nine minutes, had an impressive first-half performance from Oisin Donnellan as he struck three from play, while Shane McGrath’s free-taking stood out.

Clare goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan produced an outstanding save to deny Myers in the 25th minute, tipping away a shot for a ’65 that Daniel Hogan converted, while Quilligan scooped another effort from Luke Elliott over the bar. Feakle’s other Liam MacCarthy Cup winner Adam Hogan watched Jack O’Connor closely from the opening stages.

Shane McGrath of Feakle and Cillian Roche of Sarsfields. James Lawlor / INPHO James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO

But while Feakle were four up inside nine minuts, they were four adrift by half-time. Sarsfields grew more dominant with Cathal McCarthy impressing, Hogan in lively form, and Myers a constant threat inside. The attacker fielded a long delivery from Ben Graham in the 18th minute, raced clear and despite the covering pressure, he engineered a way to bundle the ball into the corner.

The 1-12 to 0-11 interval position was quickly wiped out as Feakle gave their travelling support early cause for cheers in the second half. Eoin Tuohy clipped over a point and then after McGrath was hauled down, Quilligan moved upfield to ram home the resultant penalty.

That left it 1-12 apiece, the action ebbing and flowing for the next 15 minutes. Sarsfields created a three-point gap, 1-17 to 1-14, but Steven Conway, McGrath, and Tuohy landed the points that tied the game, leaving Feakle buoyant.

Yet they would not register a further score after the 48th minute, Sarsfields possessed more in the tank and unleashed their pace around the middle. Gaps appeared in the Feakle rearguard as the points flowed – Myers firing three, O’Connor landing a brace, with Colm and Cathal McCarthy, and substitute Shane O’Regan all on target as well.

Johnny Crowley’s side were full value for their success. A Munster final awaits in a fortnight.

Cian Darcy and Johnny Crowley celebrate Sarsfields victory. James Lawlor / INPHO James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Sarsfields: Aaron Myers 1-6, Daniel Hogan 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), Cathal McCarthy 0-4, Jack O’Connor 0-4, Paul Leopold 0-1, Luke Elliott 0-1, Daniel Kearney 0-1, Shane O’Regan 0-1, Colm McCarthy 0-1.

Scorers for Feakle: Shane McGrath 0-7 (0-5f), Oisin Donnellan 0-3, Steven Conway 0-3, Eibhear Quilligan 1-0 (1-0 pen), Eoin Tuohy 0-2, Oisin O’Connor 0-1, Enda Noonan 0-1.

Sarsfields

1. Ben Graham

4. Paul Leopold, 6. Eoghan Murphy, 2. Conor O’Sullivan

5. Bryan Murphy, 20. Cillian Roche, 7. Luke Elliott 

14. Colm McCarthy, 22. Cathal McCarthy

9. Daniel Kearney, 11. Daniel Hogan, 8. Cian Darcy, 

23. Aaron Myers, 10. James Sweeney, 13. Jack O’Connor

 Subs

• 15. Shane O’Regan for Sweeney (49)
• 28. Eoin O’Sullivan for Kearney (56)
• 3. Craig Leahy for Elliott (57)

Feakle

1.Eibhear Quilligan

5. Adam Hogan, 3. Eoghan Daly, 4. Oisin Clune

2. Killian Bane, 6. Conn Smyth, 9. Eoin Tuohy

11. Enda Noonan, 7. Ronan O’Connor;

10. Oisin Donnellan, 8: Shane McGrath, 14.  Steven Conway

13. Patrick Daly, 12. Martin Daly, 15. Oisin O’Connor

Subs

• 17. Raymond Bane for Patrick Daly (48)
• 22. Owen McGann for Oisin O’Connor (52)
• 26. Ger Hanrahan for Noonan (60)
• 20. Fiachra Donnellan for Martin Daly (60)
• 18. Enda Madden for Killian Bane (62)

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)