Sarsfields 3-24

Oranmore/Maree 0-12

DARREN KELLY AT PEARSE STADIUM

SARSFIELDS provided a glimpse of what they’re capable of during the second half of last Sunday’s senior hurling championship quarter-final to set-up a rematch of last year’s final-four encounter with St. Thomas’.

A Darren Murphy goal followed by two from Kevin Cooney during the third quarter finally put this contest to bed, as the New Inn/Bullaun outfit found their stride after a below par opening half.

It was 0-10 to 0-6 favouring Francis Madden’s team at the interval but themselves and Oranmore/Maree were guilty of eight wides each. For Ronan Heffernan’s charges, they’ll be disappointed how their challenge wilted even if they’ll take positives from the year overall.

A major concern for Sarsfields was an injury to Galway defender Darren Morrissey as he set up Alan Ward for a 53rd minute point. With no one around him, the 2017 All-Ireland minor winning captain’s leg gave way as he went to ground before departing.

Sarsfields were favourites but many felt this would be close with Oranmore/Maree’s young guns making an impression after reaching their first senior quarter-final in 50 years. But it was one of their experienced campaigners Niall Burke who got them off the mark on four minutes.

Anthony Keady was the provider for Burke, who’d overcome injury twice during the group stages. But their advantage was short-lived as Kevin Cooney’s run down the left delivered an immediate equaliser.

However, Oranmore/Maree stretched 0-3 to 0-1 ahead by the 10th minute with Burke landing a placed ball and then Jack Grealish splitting the posts from his own half. But the shooting accuracy of both teams was around 20% and Sarsfields had already five wides.

Pictured: Ian Fox of Sarsfields tussling for possession with Ross Malone and Anthony Keady of Oranmore/Maree during Sunday’s Senior A hurling quarter-final at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.