Cork SHC final: Sars have just enough
October 08, 2012
Sarsfields's Joe Barry, Daniel Roche, Eoin Quigley and Ray Ryan tackle Michael Power of Bishopstown during the Cork SHC final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Bishopstown 1-13
Sarsfields secured their third Cork SHC title in five years and their fifth in all thanks to a strong second half showing against Bishopstown at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
Trailing by 0-7 to 0-9 at the interval after registering eight first half wides, Sars turned in a much-improved second half display to edge out the first-time finalists in front of 11,000 spectators. The winners had forged five points ahead before David Hickey netted for Bishopstown in injury-time to set up a nail-biting finale.
Two points in quick succession from Pa Cronin (free) and Brian Murray helped the underdogs to a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after 13 minutes. Further efforts from Michael Power and county star Cronin pushed them three points clear before Sarsfields reduced the margin to two at the break.
Scores from Cronin and Thomas Murray kept the 'Town in the driving seat on the restart before the favourites gradually took control with Wexford star Eoin Quigley leading their fightback from midfield. Free-taker Cian McCarthy edged them in front for the first time since the ninth minute inside the last 10 minutes before the game's decisive score arrived in the 53rd minute.
Substitute Eoin O'Sullivan blocked down an attempted clearance before playing the ball across to Robert O'Driscoll who first-timed to the net from close range to give Sars a 1-13 to 0-12 lead, and they weren't to be denied after that.
Sarsfields - A Kennedy; D Kenneally, J Barry, C O'Sullivan; D Roche, R Ryan, E Martin; E Quigley, D Kearney (0-1); C McCarthy (0-8), G O'Loughlin (0-1), W Kearney; R O'Driscoll (1-1), K Murphy (0-1), M Cussen (0-2). Subs: T Óg Murphy (0-1) for W Kearney, E O'Sullivan for Roche.
Bishopstown - K O'Halloran; S O'Neill, D Lester, C O'Driscoll; B Healy, I Jones, R Ryan; K O'Driscoll, B Murray (0-1); R Conway, P Cronin (0-6), T Murray (0-1); D Crowley (0-1), M Power (0-3), G McGlacken (0-1). Subs: J Murphy for K O'Driscoll, P Honohan for Crowley, M Driscoll for Ryan, D Hickey (1-0) for McGlacken.
Referee - J Kearney. Tweet
