Galway SHC final
Craughwell 0-12
Sarsfields 0-12
by Daragh Small
NIALL MORRISSEY HIT eight points for Sarsfields but it wasn’t enough to separate them and Craughwell in the Galway SHC final at Athenry.
Sarsfields couldn’t capitalise on their 0-8 to 0-3 half-time lead in Kenny Park.
Niall Healy, who hit 1-11 in Craughwell’s win over St Thomas’ in the final four, was again their star – he finished with six points.
Craughwell were in their first final since 1932 and looked to set to win when Alan Callanan pushed them in front for the first time five minutes from the end.
However, Morrissey hit back and the former double All-Ireland champions, who have not won a Galway crown since 1997, forced a replay.
It was a scrappy first-half as both sides shot too many wides, but Sarsfields just about did enough with the wind at their backs.
They led 0-8 to 0-3 at the break and it was their ace free-taker Morrissey who showed them the way.
However, Craughwell hit the first three points of the second-half with Alan Callanan pointing within half a minute of the restart.
Then two Niall Healy frees brought Craughwell within two. Morrissey steadied the ship with his fifth free in the 37thminute.
But Craughwell continued to push forward, O’Halloran brought it back to the minimum again, and All-Ireland minor winner Thomas Monaghan tied it up 17 minutes remaining.
Joseph Cooney was hauled down when he was through on goal and Sarsfields regained the advantage through a Morrissey free.
Niall Healy and then Alan Callanan gave Craughwell the lead but they couldn’t hold on to it and Morrissey forced a replay.
Scorers for Craughwell: N Healy 0-6 (0-5f); A Callanan 0-3; G O’Halloran 0-2, T Monaghan 0-1.
Scorers for Sarsfields: N Morrissey 0-8 (0-8f); A Ward, K Wade, E Cleary, J Cooney 0-1 each.
CRAUGHWELL
1. Aidan Ryan
2. Shane Dolan
3. Ian Daniels
4. Mark Monaghan
5. Mark Horan
6. Adrian Cullinane
7. John Ryan
8. Niall Callanan
9. Gerard O’Halloran
10. Stephen Hynes
11. Niall Healy
12. Jamie Ryan
13. Thomas Monaghan
14. Alan Callanan
15. Fergal Healy.
Subs:
20. Keelan Cullinane for S Hynes (48).
SARSFIELDS
1. Ciaran Dolan
2. Cathal Murray
3. Darren Skehill
4. Diarmuid Murray
5. Niall Quinn
6. Ronan Quinn
7. Eamon Cleary
8. Kevin Hynes
9. Ian Fox
10. Niall Morrissey
11. Joseph Cooney
12. Noel Kelly
13. Ian Skehill
14. Kerril Wade
15. Alan Ward.
Subs:
22. Ivan Kenny for I Fox (56)
21. Kevin Cooney for K Wade (59).
Referee: John Keane (Rahoon/Newcastle).
Whatever happened to Keril Wade thought he was going to be the next big thing when he started out
Hate the way they single out the freetaker as their star player. Morrissey didn’t score from play but is their main man. Didn’t see the game but does seem very lazy journalism
Terrible game of hurling, St. Thomas’ and gort must be kicking themselves after watching that…
I lived in Galway for a few years and this championship could be the best thing to happen for hurling in the county in years. A lot of players in Galway thinking they’re hot sh*t because they won a club All Ireland, even though Galway teams have an easier path to the final. Then they have trouble parking club rivalries and egos at the door when they come together again, particularly Portumna and Thomas’. Having them eat a bit of humble pie can do no harm.