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).
I always thought he was one of the outstanding players at Connacht…was surprised to hear that his contract wasn’t being renewed. Good he’s found his form with Munster!
@Con Cussed: very popular with Connacht fans, but we understood with age (32 this month), and recent injury profile it means he was a cost Connacht couldn’t take a risk on. Anyway, with Aki, Forde, Hawkshaw, O’Connor as options, and young Hugh Gavin to come through (sooner rather than later by the way he’s performing every time he steps up a level). Plus, we’ve a bunch of back three lads who’ve played centre as well and can do a job (Jennings, Ralston, and Bolton)…
@Con Cussed: he is an excellent player, but his injury profile probably didn’t help his cause. Getting rid of Daly and Farrell probably freed the funds for POC, who is younger and has a better injury profile. Between Aki, Forde, Hugh Gavin and POC, center is strong for us, not to mention others who can deputise there too like Hawkshaw and Bolton. Farrell is a great signing for Munster – there was a lot of furore from their supporters when Frisch left and Farrell was mooted as a replacement, but in reality I think Farrell is an upgrade on Frisch, who I thought had a poor 2023/24 season (he was excellent in 2022/23). I’ll miss seeing Aki/Farrell in midfield, but glad Farrell got a second opportunity.
@Ronan Byrne: I should have refreshed the page before I commented! You hit the nail straight on the head.
@Con Cussed: of interest too is how in the 2016/17 season, both Connacht and Munster had injuries that needed short term cover – for Munster, NIE Saili was injured and so they signed NIE Taute, while Connacht had its own injury crisis, and being barred from signing NIQ players (as indicated by the Lam situation), signed Farrell on short term from the championship team Bedford Blues. In the end, both Taute and Farrell were exceptional signings and were given long term contracts, but now Munster are in a position to benefit from Connacht developing an IQ player, while the short term fix of Taute had no real long term benefit for Irish Rugby.
Great signing for Munster. Loads to offer on and off pitch.
People on here were quick to jump to the conclusion that Munster were poaching players from Connacht when he signed.
From what I have seen of him so far he looks quite good. I can see him and Nankivell striking up a good partnership. Munster badly needs a settled midfield after constant changing of personnel.
Could turn out to be another Paul Warwick
Fantastic signing. Seems to be getting a run without injury too which does help
He’s an absolutely quality rugby player. Serious skillset. Ireland chance has probably passed now but he’ll get plenty of big days with Munster. Has had some very unfortunately timed injuries in his career.