Sarsfields suffer setback as Island’ battle from behind

Mayo IFC Group 4 – Round 2 

Islandeady 0-15 

Ardnaree Sarsfields 1-11 

John Paul Heaney in Islandeady 

A consummate performance in the final 20 minutes by the home side has blown Group 4 of the intermediate championship wide open and sets up a fascinating finale in two weeks’ time. Few in attendance could have predicted this outcome five minutes into the second-half last Sunday afternoon as the visitors, Ardnaree, led 1-9 to 0-8, and were heading for back-to-back championship victories and maybe even a place in the quarter-finals with a game to spare. However, powered on by the likes of Ciaran Bourke, Liam Coyne, Seamie Lally and Brendan Gibbons at centre-forward, Islandeady outscored their opponents 0-7 to 0-2 in the closing stages to snatch a one-point victory that now leaves all four teams in their group on two points.

It is a simple ‘winner takes all’ final round where Islandeady will play The Neale and Ardnaree come up against Burrishoole, both at neutral venues, to see what two teams reach the quarter-finals. It’s one to certainly mark in your diary.

A one-point defeat was very tough to take at the final whistle for Ardnaree who had put themselves in a great position but for some reason, their challenge rapidly descended. They had so much to be positive about in the first-half; at the half-time whistle, Rory Clarke’s side led 1-8 to 0-8, with 1-4 of their total coming from play.

Their goal came in the 19th minute after a blistering attack up the field that in the end, saw Martin Rafter finish from close range after his initial shot was blocked on the goal line. Ethan Convey was razor sharp out on the wing, kicking two points from play, with Seaghan Duffy and Chris Walsh also raising the white flag from play.

Three placed ball efforts were struck over by Seaghan Duffy with Adam Parsons also adding a free.

Credit to Islandeady all the same, as despite being second best in the opening half, they still only trailed by a kick of the ball heading in at the break. Brendan Gibbons was their most accurate shooter with four of their points, three from play and a free, with Darragh Joyce, a free, Seamie Lally, Ciaran Bourke and Levi Barrett all getting their first of the day.

When Cian Burke put Ardnaree four up just after the resumption however, few could have imagined that at this point, a full half hour would pass without the North Mayo side adding another score to their tally.

In the end, it really came down to heart and determination and Islandeady simply wanted it more. They began to win so much ‘dirty ball’ and their drive was evident all over the field. They did not panic when it looked like things were going against them. Liam Joyce began this famous comeback with his first point and while almost 10 minutes of scoreless action played out, you could feel in the air that Islandeady would get the vital next score. And that was the case with two frees by Darragh Joyce leaving just one between them before substitute Zac Collins kicked the equaliser eleven minutes from time. And with just six minutes remaining, Darragh Joyce kicked his fourth free of the day to send his side one up, 0-13 to 1-9. That was quickly followed by a ’45 from Levi Barrett and when Ciaran Bourke put his side three up, Ardnaree surely now needed a goal as the 60-minute mark came and went.

Sarsfields did reduce the gap to one with points by Cian Burke, from play, and Seaghan Duffy, his fourth free, but time was against them and from the resulting kickout, came the final whistle to unleash scenes of joy for all involved with Islandeady GAA. And who knows, there could be further great days like this ahead for Tony Collins and his side this autumn.

Scorers – Islandeady: Darragh Joyce (4f) and Brendan Gibbons (1f) 0-4 each, Ciaran Bourke and Levi Barrett (1 ’45) 0-2 each, Seamie Lally, Liam Joyce and Zac Collins 0-1 each.

Ardnaree: Seaghan Duffy 0-5 (4f), Martin Rafter 1-0, Ethan Convey and Cian Burke 0-2 each, Adam Parsons (f) and Chris Walsh 0-1 each.

Islandeady: Marcus Moylett; Mark Kirby, Peter Gordon, Ciaran Bourke; Darragh O’Malley, Liam Coyne, Niall McCormack; Peter Collins, Seamie Lally; Darragh Joyce, Brendan Gibbons, Levi Barrett; Pat Carolan, Paul Corcoran, Liam Joyce. Subs: Sean Collins (for L Joyce 45), Zac Collins (for Corcoran 45), Jack Carney (for D Joyce 57).

Ardnaree: Blaine Ginty; Shane Timlin, Pat Mills, Mark Forbes; Liam Jones, Martin Rafter, Kevin Gillespie; Adam Parsons, Seaghan Duffy; Ethan Convey, Cian Burke, John Timlin; Chris Walsh, Ronan O’Malley, Jonathan Doherty. Subs: Eoin McCormack (for J Timlin 27, inj), Jason Crean (for Rafter 45), Jack Regan (for Gillespie 48).

REF: Neil Cooney (Achill)