Sarsfields edge it over Moorefield in thriller

Sarsfields 1-9

Moorefield 0-11

Sarsfield not only advanced to the semi-final of the Joe Mallon Motors SFC but also gained the bragging rights for 2024 with a hard-earned one point over town rivals Moorefield in the final game at Manguard Park on Sunday. It was tight, it was tense, it was enthralling as one would expect of such a derby game.

Moorefield were on top in the opening half, playing with the aid of a strong wind, the lead of four points looked a bit 'skinny' but they enhanced that to six within minutes of the resumption.

Sarsfields got the vital score on 39 minutes and from there right to the very end the game was in the melting pot.

The yellow cards came early and often in the opening half, Cian Byrne picking up the first after three minutes as Sarsfields opened with a Shane Doyle point. That lead did not last too long as Ryan Moore leveled up on eight.

Two quick points from Evan O'Brien edged The Moores two ahead, Shane Doyle (free) reduced the lead with a free as Moorefield's James Murray and Anthony Durney saw yellow.

Ben McCormack was the next into the referee's little book before a penetrating run by Ryan Houlihan saw the county man cut through and splitting the posts.

The Moores were then hit with a big blow when Adam Sweeney was given a black for what looked like a tripping offence on Colm Harnett.

That did not seem to overly burden the boys in green as a foul on Liam Healy saw Mark Murray convert the resultant free with Alan Scully seeing yellow for that misdemeanor.

A long, long ball in from Ryan Moore was brilliantly caught by Jason Philips and the big full forward knocked over the mark as Sweeney returned to the action.

That was it as the half-time whistle arrived Moorefield leading 0-6 to 0-2 at the break.

As stated The Moores hit the opening two points on the resumption from Adam Sweeney and Evan O'Brien after another great run by the in-form Ryan Houlihan.

Ben McCormack got his side's third point of the game on 36 minutes while Callum Bolton was fortunate when picking up a yellow, it was not of the black variety.

Sarsfields were showing more intent and when Karl Hartley found Shea Ryan, the county man's goal attempt was blocked but the ball fell to Shane Doyle who made no mistake to find the net from close range.

Karl Hartley left a point in it before Evan O'Brien got it back to two.

Back came Sarsfields with points from Conor Hartley before a miss-placed pass saw Sarsfields gain possession which ended with Ben McCormack leveling up on 47 minutes, 0-9 to 1-6.

A foul on Evan O'Brien saw The Moores regain the lead, O'Brien converting and the sides were level once again when substitute Conor Hartley punched over.

Eoin Meehan was next in the 'boo; before Sarsfields took a two point lead with points from Karl Hartley and a long range free from substitute Alan Smith, with 58 minutes on the clock.

Back came Moorefield with Mark Murray hitting a brilliant free from wide on the left against the wind to leave one it.
Liam Callaghan came raiding down the right wing, send in a dangerous ball which was met with a fist and while the umpire waved it wide, the referee, after consulting with the umpires awarded a 45.

Mark Murray, against the strong wind, saw his effort drop short punched wide.

Moorefield still had time and another raid down the right by Callaghan saw him hit a similar ball into the danger area and while Dan O'Callaghan got a fist to it, it touched off a defender for another 45. However Mark Murray's difficult kick fell but was punched right and wide as the long whistle arrived to the delight of The Sarsfields contingent and despair of the Moorefield players and fans.

A fine game, in the melting pot to the end but it is Sarsfields who march on to semi-final.

Scorers: Sarsfields, Shane Doyle 1-2 (1 free), Ben McCormack 0-2, Conor Hartley 0-2, Karl Hartley 0-2, Alan Smith 0-1 (free).
Moorefield, Evan O'Brien 0-4 (2 frees), Jason Philips 0-1 (mark), Mark Murray 0-2 (2 frees), Ryan Houlihan 0-1, Ryan Moore 0-2, Adam Sweeney 0-1.

SARSFIELDS: Marc Courtney-Byrne; Alan Scully, Tom Aspell, Cian Byrne; David Shalvey, Daragh Ryan, Colm Harnett; Callum Bolton, Matty Byrne; Con Kavanagh, Ethan Mountaine, Shea Ryan; Karl Hartley, Shane Doyle, Ben McCormack. Subs: Conor Hartley for Daragh Ryan (37 minutes); Ben Loakman for Cian Byrne (42 minutes); Alan Smith for Shane Doyle (49 minutes); Jimmy O'Neill for Ben Loakman (63 minutes).

MOOREFIELD: Tom Kinsella; Dylan Cosgrave, Mark Dempsey, Liam Healy; Anthony Durney, James Murray, Ryan Houlihan; Ryan Moore, Adam Sweeney; Eoin Meehan, Kevin Murnaghan, Harry O'Connor; Evan O'Brien, Jason Philips, Mark Murray. Subs: Adam Tyrrell for Eoin Meehan (42 minutes); Liam Callaghan for Dylan Cosgrove (45 minutes); Dan O'Callaghan for Adam Sweeney (49 minutes); Pauric Cribbin for Kevin Murnaghan (56 minutes).

REFEREE: Kieran Harris