Sarsfields pull away from Na Piarsaigh to book Cork hurling final place

Sarsfields 1-18 

Na Piarsaigh 0-14

CIAN MCCARTHY SCORED 1-10 as Sarsfields advanced to a sixth Cork SHC final in seven years by beating Na Piarsaigh at Páirc Uí Chaoimh today.

Since 2008, the Glanmire side have won the championship in every year ending in an even number and they can achieve that feat again in three weeks’ time after they laid the foundations for victory early on, never trailing.

They led by 0-4 to 0-1 when McCarthy goaled from a sideline puck in the 10^th minutes and then Gavin O’Loughlin pushed them seven points clear before Na Piarsaigh got going. Cork star Chris Joyce drove the city side on from midfield and Keith Buckley and Patrick Rourke were among the scores as they drew to within four, 1-8 to 0-7, by half-time.

The momentum stayed with Piarsaigh upon the resumption, with John Gardiner shining at centre-back, but they couldn’t find a goal as William Kearney and Ray Ryan stood out in the Sars defence.

Twice, Na Piarsaigh came to within a point but Sars always had a response, with McCarthy impeccable from placed balls. They scored the game’s final five points, Cormac Duggan with two, to ensure their progression.

Scorers for Sarsfields: C McCarthy 1-10 (1-0 sideline, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65), C Duggan 0-3, G O’Loughlin 0-2, E O’Sullivan, T Óg Murphy, D Kearney 0-1 each.

Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: K Buckley 0-4 (0-2 frees), P Rourke 0-3, C Joyce, I McDonnell 0-2 each, Adam Dennehy, C Buckley, Anthony Dennehy 0-1 each.

SARSFIELDS: A Kennedy; W Kearney, C Leahy, C O’Sullivan; D Roche, R Ryan, É Martin; D Kearney, E Quigley; E O’Sullivan, G O’Loughlin, C McCarthy; K Murphy, C Duggan, T Óg Murphy.

Subs: R O’Driscoll for K Murphy (49), R Murphy for O’Loughlin (57).

NA PIARSAIGH: A Keating; A Brady, E Gunning, E Moynihan; Adam Dennehy, J Gardiner, S Óg Ó hAilpín; C Joyce, C Buckley; K Buckley, P Gould, P Rourke; D Lee, I McDonnell, Anthony Dennehy.

Subs: E Hanafin for Lee (43), S Duggan for McDonnell, S O’Sullivan for Gould (both 52), C O’Mahony for K Buckley (60), A Kenneally for Joyce (60, injured).

Referee: N Wall (Carrigaline).

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