Castlegar 2-24

 Sarsfields 1-31

(After extra time)

By Kevin Horgan at Kenny Park

IN a titanic tussle between two of the traditional powerhouses of Galway club hurling, it was Sarsfields who advanced to the quarter-finals of the Galway senior hurling championship after a marathon struggle in Athenry on Sunday.

Both sides started the encounter brightly, with Greg Thomas and Darren Murphy exchanging points inside the opening two minutes. The city side then edged in front as the impressive Ger Farragher registered two points to give Matt Murphy’s side a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after four minutes.

Sarsfields responded well though, with Murphy and Kevin Cooney on target to level matters. Dean Higgins and John Cosgrove then exchanged scores, before Farragher hit an outstanding lineball over the bar to give Cashel the lead after 10 minutes.

Minutes later, former Galway underage players, Higgins and John Cooney would trade top quality long distance scores, before Kevin Cooney levelled matters with a close-range free.

Despite playing with the elements, Cashel operated with their usual defensive structure, with Sean Neary playing as a sweeper throughout the opening half.

Farragher restored his side’s lead before Cian Corcoran and Kevin Cooney exchanged scores. Murphy and Ian Fox then hit two glorious points from out near the sideline to give the east Galway side the lead after 22 minutes.

Minutes later, the very impressive Murphy and Pierce McGurk hit two fine scores to give Sarsfields a three-point lead. Farragher got another point, before Leon Connaire scored a brilliant goal for Sarsfields after 27 minutes, following an outstanding passing move. The full-back gave Liam O’Reilly in the Castlegar goal no chance with his fine finish.

Former Galway senior hurler, Farragher and Adam Donohue then swapped points again as Sarsfields led 1-12 to 0-10 after 29 minutes. The evergreen Farragher would get the final score of the half from a close-range free as Sarsfields led 1-12 to 0-11 at the interval.

Castlegar started the second period extremely well, and by the third minute of the half, they had the game level. Firstly, Cillian Callaghan finished to an empty net after he weaved his way through the Sarsfields defence, and subsequently Thomas brought the sides level after good play by Darragh Neary.

Farragher remarkably gave the city men the lead from a free, before two frees by Kevin Cooney, and scores from Joseph Cooney and Diarmuid MacCarthaigh gave Sarsfields a three-point advantage after 42 minutes.

Pictured: Darren Murphy of Sarsfields is about to take aim at the posts against Cathal Ryan of Castlegar during Sunday’s Senior A preliminary quarter-final at Kenny Park. Photos: David Cunniffe.