Cuala power past Sarsfields with dominant second-half display

Cuala's Peter Duffy and Jimmy O'Neill of Sarsfields ©INPHO/Nick Elliott

Cuala produced a superb second-half performance to defeat Sarsfields by 1-18 to 0-11 at Parnell Park this evening and book their place in the semi-finals of the Leinster club senior football championship.

It was the Kildare champions that made the brighter start and looked comfortable for long periods of the opening half, using their possession well to build a 0-7 to 0-6 advantage by the interval. Ben McCormack, Ryan Kearney and Cathal White were among the first-half scorers for The Sash, while Cuala stayed in touch through Eoin Kennedy, Con O’Callaghan and a Conor O’Brien two-pointer.

Cuala came out with renewed purpose after the restart, with Charlie McMorrow levelling before two quick points from talisman O’Callaghan put them in front. Peter Duffy added another as the hosts began to dominate, although Luke Mahon briefly stemmed the tide for Sarsfields.

The decisive moment arrived on 40 minutes when a superb three-man move carved open the Sarsfields defence, allowing Dan O’Sullivan to finish to the net and put the Dublin champions firmly in control. A point from Conor O’Brien extended the advantage to six and there was no looking back for the Dalkey outfit.

O’Callaghan continued to lead the scoring charge, while Niall O’Callaghan and Conor Mulally also found the target as Cuala stretched their lead to 1-17 to 0-9. Sarsfields managed just four points in the second half, with Con Kavanagh and Conor O’Donovan among their late scorers.

The Dalkey men comfortably saw out the closing stages to secure an impressive seven-point victory, with their second-half goal proving the defining score as they marched into the provincial semi-finals where they'll meet the winners of Rathvilly or Portarlington who clash tomorrow at 2.30pm.