Sarsfields 2-10

Craughwell 0-14

The bonfires will be blazing in New Inn and Bullaun tonight after Sarsfields withstood a late Craughwell rally to lift the Tom Callanan Cup for the first time since 1997 at Pearse Stadium.

First half goals from Joseph Cooney and Noel Kelly laid the foundations for Sarsfields' replay success, while half a dozen points from Niall Morrissey also proved crucial. Having trailed by 0-8 to 2-6 at half-time, Craughwell had the margin down to the minimum with 10 minutes remaining, but Sars' held on for their seventh Galway SHC title.

Craughwell flew out of the starting blocks to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after eight minutes, but a point from Niall Morrissey and a brilliant individual goal from county star Cooney propelled the winners into a 1-2 to 0-4 lead in the 10th minute.

The teams scored four points apiece over the next 20 minutes before Noel Kelly got on the end of Niall Quinn's long free to finish to the net and leave Sarsfields four points to the good at the break.

Sarsfields racked up six wides before substitute Sean Kelly finally opened their second half account in the 40th minute. Fortunate to be still in the game, Craughwell responded with a trio of Niall Healy frees and when Alan Callanan split the posts in the 50th minute, it was a one-point game.

Kelly and Healy then exchanged points, but Sarsfields weren't to be denied as late scores from subs Kelly and Kevin Cooney saw them over the line.

Sarsfields - C Dolan; K Hynes, D Skehill, E Cleary; C Murray, N Quinn, D Murray; R Quinn, I Fox; J Cooney (1-0), N Kelly (1-0), K Wade (0-1); I Skehill, A Ward, N Morrissey (0-6, 5f). Subs: K Cooney (0-1) for D Murray, S Kelly (0-2) for N Kelly, I Kelly for A Ward.

Craughwell - A Ryan; S Dolan, I Daniels, M Monaghan; John Ryan, A Cullinane, M Horan; N Callanan, G O'Halloran; F Healy (0-1), S Hynes, Jamie Ryan (0-2); T Monaghan, A Callanan (0-2), N Healy (0-9, 8f). Subs: A Greaney for N Callanan, K Cullinane for S Hynes.

Referee - S Hynes.

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