Craughwell 2-24

Sarsfields 3-19

(AET)

By Eanna O’Reilly at Kenny Park

CRAUGHWELL booked their place in the semi-finals of the senior hurling championship for the first time since 2021 after overcoming Sarsfields in an extra time thriller on Saturday afternoon in Athenry.

Adam Clarke was Craughwell’s hero with a last minute goal at the end of the second period of extra time, which came seconds after Diarmuid MacCárthaigh had goaled for Sarsfields at the other end.

Just when it looked as though Sarsfields had pulled the game out of the fire, Craughwell went on the hunt for a goal with the final attack of an eighty-two minute contest. Clarke somehow managed to get the sliotar in his hand and finished past Ciaran Dolan from close range in the most dramatic conclusion possible.

A gripping affair started as it finished, with a goal for Craughwell after three minutes of the opening half. A pacey run from Ciaran Leen from the right corner saw him break inside the Sarsfields defence before firing to the net.

Leen soon pointed a free to make it 1-1 to 0-0, before Sarsfields got off the mark with Kevin Cooney’s first free of the afternoon. Jamie Ryan soon sent over an excellent point for Craughwell, before Sarsfields struck for their first goal.

A great individual score from Kevin Cooney saw him make a 40 yard run before shooting low past Stephen O’Halloran. Craughwell responded well however, with four consecutive points. Leen (free and ’65) and two impressive long range scores from Ryan saw Ian Daniels’ side ahead by 1-6 to 1-1 midway through the first half.

Cooney pointed his second free at the other end, but Craughwell added scores through Conor Gilligan and Darragh McCartin to open up a six point lead. Cooney tallied a further two frees to keep Sarsfields in touch, before Leen cancelled them out with two of his own before the half time whistle.

With the aid of the wind, Sarsfields made a strong start to the second half, getting 1-2 on the board shortly after the resumption. Paddy MacCárthaigh pointed from the left wing, before Kevin Cooney fired home his second goal, after a great move involving John and Joseph Cooney.

Pictured: Craughwell’s Adam Clarke is about to fire home the winning goal despite the best efforts of Sarsfields’ Darren Morrissey and Ian Fox during the Senior A hurling quarter-final at Kenny Park on Saturday. Photos: David Cunniffe.