Sarsfields edge out Athy by a point after extra time
The Sash ran out 1-11 to 0-13 winners
Sarsfields 1-11
Athy 0-13
Sarsfields dug deep to advance and set-up a repeat of last season's Hanlon Concrete SFL Division 1 final defeating Athy, after extra time, by a single point, at Manguard Park in the second game on Saturday.
Slightly more competitive than the first semi, this was nevertheless another disappointing game, scores were at a premium with the Sarsfields' defence keeping them alive for long periods, particularly in the second half of normal time which Athy dominated but the boys from the south failed to put a bit of space between themselves and their opponents.
Nevertheless Sarsfields will be delighted to make it back to the decider and have another competitive game before the senior championship commences in early August.
The winners, no doubt, will point to the fact that the absence of Ben McCormack was a blow; his reappearance, for the final will be a huge boost.
However, the loss of the Hyland boys cannot be overstated for Athy. Mark has gone travelling earlier in the season and now David has joined him; both are expected to miss the championship.
Liam McGovern opened for Athy with a free before the impressive Conor Hartley replied with two points for The Sash, both expertly taken by a very exciting player.
Sean Moore leveled up matters before the 'Hawkfield Dog' made another appearance, as he did in the opening game, this time it was Callum Bolton who did the honours carrying the four-legged off the pitch.
The Kelly brothers, Barry and Niall, combined before the latter pointed.
Barry Kelly, as usual, was involved in everything throughout the game and on more than one occasion had the Sarsfields fans on their feet roaring their disapproval at the no. 10's play but in fairness while he is no angel he certainly comes in for a lot of stick in practically every game he playes, which in many respects can be taken as a compliment to the county man.
Kieran Farrell hit a lovely point to edge Athy two clear on 14 minutes before Callum Bolton (another fine game) reduced the lead back to one.
Niall Kelly hit a beauty and when Brian Maher added another Athy now led by three on 17 minutes.
A fine move involving Daragh Ryan, brother Shea, and Shane Doyle opened the Athy defence and it was Doyle who finished expertly to the bottom left hand corner of the Athy net to level up matters up at 0-6 to 1-3.
Niall Kelly punched a point to regain the lead but a Barry Coffey 'special' reduced that and when Calum Bolton hit a beauty The Sash were back in front by one on 25 minutes.
Barry Kelly picked up a yellow (much to the delight of the opposition fans) before Conor Hartley left the Newbridge boys two clear at the break — Sarsfields 1-6 Athy 0-7.
On the resumption Conor Bolton brought out the best in Matthew Anderson in the Athy goals with a fine save, Bolton putting over the resultant 45 to push the lead out to three.
Kevin Feely and Darren Lawlor reduced the lead to one, after some ten minutes of no flag being raised, that despite Athy enjoying the majority of possession.
Daragh Ryan got a much needed point for The Sash on 47 minutes, it was only their second point (and last) of the second half.
Cathal Kennedy made a fine catch, was fouled and Kevin Feely reduced the lead to a single point on 50 minutes.
On we went, another scoreless period before Niall Kelly tied it up on sixty, 1-8 to 0-11 ensuring extra time.
Kevin Feely and Con Kavanagh scored a point apiece in the opening half of extra time as players were cramping all over the place.
Another tit-for-tat affair, James McGrath was black carded for Athy on 73 minutes before Matty Byrne, making a welcome return after a long absence, pushed Sarsfields ahead by a point off his left peg, a rariety it has to be said; Kevin Feely replied with a brilliant effort two minutes later.
It was beginning to look like a penalty shoot-out before Ethan Mountaine gained possession on his own half-back line, carried and carried with the Athy defence back-peddling allowing the no. 4 punch over to take the lead on 79 minutes, a point that ultimately decided the contest by a single point, Sarsfields 1-12 Athy 0-13.
MAIN MAN
CONOR HARTLEY
A somewhat difficult one to decide, it was that sort of game. For Athy Niall Kelly had a fine game as did Padraig Spillane, James McGrath and Kevin Feely. For Sarsfields Callum Bolton did well throughout, the defence as a unit did, Con Kavanagh another fine game but Conor Hartley was probably the pick of the lot. A player that has a lot of ability and one that could make an impact at a higher level if he can remain injury free.
TURNING POINT
Shane Doyle's first half goal was vital in a game that had long periods of a scarcity of scores; Niall Kelly's point forced extra time while Con Kavanagh's point was vital during extra time. Kevin Feely's leveler was a cracker while Ethan Mountaine's winner was very well taken.
TALKING POINT
The long lapses in between scores at times; Sarsfields scoring just two points in the second half while Athy failed to covert supremacy onto the score board in the second half of normal time
WHAT NOW?
Sarsfiels into final and will play Naas in a repeat of last season's SFL decider.
Scorers: Sarsfields, Shane Doyle 1-0, Conor Hartley 0-3, Callum Bolton 0-3 (45), Barry Coffey 0-1, Daragh Ryan 0-1, Con Kavanagh 0-1.
Athy, Niall Kelly 0-3, Kevin Feely 0-4 (1 free), Sean Moore 0-1, Kieran Farrell 0-1, Liam McGovern 0-1 (free), Brian Maher 0-1, Barry Kelly 0-1, Darren Lawlor 0-1.
SARSFIELDS: Marc Courtney-Byrne; Daragh Conlon, Tom Aspell, Ethan Mountaine; David Shalvey, Con Kavanagh, Colm Harnett; Shea Ryan, Sean Campbell; Conor Hartley, Daragh Ryan, Callum Bolton; Barry Coffey, Shane Doyle, Ben Loakman. Subs: Cathal Kennedy for Liam McGovern (44 minutes); Cian Hughes for Callum Bolton (46 minutes); Jimmy O'Neill for Barry Coffey (50 minutes); Alan Smith for Ben Loakman (55 minutes). Extra time subs: Barry Coffey, Ben Loakman, Matty Byrne, Daragh Ryan, Ray Cahill,
ATHY: Matthew Anderson; Michael Spillane, Padraic Spillane, Darren Lawlor; Brian Moore, James McGrath, Ryan Bowden; Kevin Feely, Conor Doyle; Barry Kelly, Kieran Farrell, Liam McGovern; Sean Moore, Niall Kelly, Cian Keaveney. Subs: Cathal Kennedy for Liam McGovern (44 minutes); Ben Purcell for Cian Keaveney (50 minutes). Extra time subs, ShaneJackman, Brian Kelly, Sean Bride, Conor Doyle, Shane McGovern.
REFEREE: Billy O'Connell.