FANTASTIC WIN FOR MINOR HURLERS. INNISCARRA 1 - 21, SARSFIELDS 3 - 13.

At Blarney on Tuesday evening Inniscarra had a tremendous victory in the final of the NON-EXAM MINOR HURLING LEAGUE GROUP 1 when they defeated a much fancied Sarsfields team by two points after extra time.

Inniscarra were slow to start and Sars had three points on the scoreboard before Altan O'Connell scored two points.  Another point for Sars was cancelled by a long-range effort from Craig Bennett but then Sars struck for a goal and a point.  Two Altan O'Connell points from frees were replied to by two points by Sars but then Inniscarra replied with points from Andrew McCarthy, Craig Bennett, Michael Coleman and another Altan O'Connell free to leave the score at half time Sars  1 - 8, Inniscarra  0 - 9.

Inniscarra started the second half very strongly with Andrew McCarthy winning the throw-in and scoring a tremendous point followed by another great point from Michael Cronin to level the scores.  A long range free by Andrew McCarthy cancelled a Sars point but then the game seemed to be slipping from Inniscarra when Sars scored two goals separated by an Altan O'Connell point from a free.  This put Sars five points ahead with twelve minutes remaining but then Inniscarra’s determination came to the fore with two points from Altan O'Connell and a magnificent goal from substitute Owen McCarthy who replaced the injured Michael Coleman.  Owen McCarthy followed up with two further points cancelled by two points for Sars to leave the score at full time INNISCARRA 1 - 17, SARSFIELDS 3 – 11 and so to extra time!

The first period of extra time resulted in just one point for Sars but the second period belonged to Inniscarra with points from Andrew McCarthy (free), Liam Buckley, Owen McCarthy and a beauty from Stephen Dornan to leave the full time score INNISCARRA 1 - 21, SARSFIELDS 3 - 13.

This was a magnificient performance from a very determined group of players whose resilience against a very strong Sars team has to be admired. Goalkeeper Dave Og Coleman continued his usual high standards and all six backs were magnificent when Sars were on the attack. On the right wing Seamus Desmond and Ciaran Lombard played their men from the front and reaped the rewards with morale boosting clearances. John Stanton at full back was always in control and caught many dangerous balls in the air and on the left wing James Walsh and Liam Ryan cleared their lines when required and were never beaten. At centre back captain David O'Carroll was rock solid and led by example. Centrefield was Inniscarra’s strongest area with Andrew McCarthy absolutely powerful and by far the best player on the pitch ably supported by the hard working Liam Buckley. The half forward line of Adam O'Connell, Stephen Dornan and Craig Bennett were always prominent and were a platform for many of the scores taken by other players. The full forward line of Michael Coleman, Michael Cronin and Altan O'Connell also worked hard and each contributed to the scoring. The substitutes used Colin O'Sullivan, Michael O'Connell and Owen McCarthy all contributed handsomely to this very sweet victory. 

Scorers: Altan O'Connell  0 - 8, Owen McCarthy  1 - 3,Andrew McCarthy  0 - 4, Craig Bennett 0 - 2, Michael Coleman 0 - 1,Michael Cronin 0 - 1,Liam Buckley 0 - 1,Stephen Dornan 0 -1.