Claremorris hold nerve to send Sarsfields into relegation dogfight
It was tight and it was tense but at the finish it was Claremorris who secured their senior championship status for next season, with a three points win over Charlestown Sarsfields on Saturday night.
Powered by two goals scored in a five-minute blitz before half-time, Claremorris never trailed in this game, albeit Charlestown did draw level on several occasions – including as late as the 58th minute.
A late two-pointer from substitute Dara Hurley, combined with a point from Darragh Joyce, was enough of a response to the late Paul Towey free that had rendered matters all square.
A wet and windy Bekan hosted what was a scrappy contest, with big hits and plenty of physicality in what nonetheless was a game played in a generally clean and spirited manner save for a couple of off-the-ball incidents.
Claremorris, aided by the breeze in the opening half, made an early statement as Conor McGuinness opened the scoring with a two-pointer only seconds into the game. Charlestown pegged them back with quick points from Jack Mahon and Niall Murphy, but Claremorris still led 0-6 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter, with frees from Darragh Beirne and Niall Hurley complementing a long-range effort from Cathal Joyce.
The wind wreaked havoc throughout, but Paul Towey overcame this with a two-point free after which his Charlestown teammate Matt Lenehan then added two excellent scores in quick succession.
Claremorris were boosted by a goal-of-the-season contender from Darragh Beirne, leaving them 1-6 to 0-6 up with five minutes remaining in the half. A black card for James McCormack for an off-the-ball incident threatened to spark a Charlestown surge, but Claremorris struck again moments later. After excellent work down the left flank from wing-back Matthew Macken, he found Cathal Joyce unmarked at the back post, who finished with a simple tap-in.
Charlestown, to their credit, hit back with late points from Towey and captain Gareth O’Donnell, closing the gap to just four, with Claremorris leading 2-6 to 0-8 at the break.
The second-half began with Charlestown showing great intent, and they levelled the game within minutes through Jack Mahon, Matthew Lenehan, and a two-pointer from Towey. But Claremorris gradually regained a three-point lead thanks to two Darragh Beirne frees and a strong point from play from Darragh Joyce, and were holding Sarsfields at arm’s length.
Towey was well-marked by Darragh Fitzpatrick, who limited his influence, though Towey still managed a neat score to cut the gap to two with fifteen minutes remaining. The outstanding Mark Noonan then kicked an inspirational point for Claremorris, extending the lead to three with ten minutes to play. However, following a 50-metre restart for a Claremorris rules infringement, Towey converted a two-point free, and a further free levelled the scores.
Towey had a chance to put Charlestown ahead entering stoppage time, but a brilliant block from Rio Mortimer sparked a Claremorris counterattack, ending in a spectacular two-pointer from Dara Hurley to regain the lead.
Claremorris substitute Craig Cassidy was black-carded a minute later, giving Charlestown the numerical advantage, but they could not find a levelling score. Darragh Joyce then kicked the insurance point to keep Claremorris safe for another season, while Charlestown must regroup for a relegation semi-final against Mayo Gaels.
Scorers – Claremorris: Darragh Beirne 1-0-3 (3f), Cathal Joyce 1-1-0, Conor McGuinness and Dara Hurley 0-1-0 each, Darragh Joyce 0-0-2, Mark Noonan and Niall Hurley (f) 0-0-1 each.
Charlestown: 0-3-3 (3tpf, 2f), Matthew Lenehan 0-0-3, Jack Mahon 0-0-2, Gareth O’Donnell and Niall Murphy 0-0-1 each.
Claremorris: Darragh Fallon; Daniel Murphy, Darragh Fitzpatrick, Rio Mortimer; Conor McGuinness, James McCormack, Matthew Macken; David O’Reilly, Darragh Joyce; Padraig Cummins; Liam Walsh, Mark Noonan; Darragh Beirne, Cathal Joyce, Niall Hurley. Subs: Craig Cassidy (for O’Reilly 35), Dara Hurley (for N Hurley 45), Mark Maloney (for Macken 50), Stephen McGreal (for C Joyce 57).
Charlestown Sarsfields: Kenneth Brennan; Tadgh Horkan, Ben Conway, Niall Drudy; Sean Dunleavy, Jack Corley, Ruairi Cullen; Thomas Holton, Patrick Goldrick; Jack Mahon, Matthew Lenehan, Gareth O’Donnell; Paddy Lenehan, Paul Towey, Ben Crean. Subs: Niall Fleming (for Dunleavy ht), Tomas Goldrick (for Holton 52).
REF: Liam Devenney (Ballina)
