Sport

Earley guides Sarsfields into their second decider

Sarsfields 0-15 Mattock Rangers 0-9: Kildare champions Sarsfields were given quite a fright by Louth's Mattock Rangers at Páirc…

Pat Roche
Mon Nov 21 2005 - 00:00

Sarsfields 0-15 Mattock Rangers 0-9: Kildare champions Sarsfields were given quite a fright by Louth's Mattock Rangers at Páirc Tailteann yesterday before booking their place in their second Leinster club football final.

Mattock's inability to avail of some gilt-edged goalscoring chances eventually told against them as Sarsfields goalkeeper Gavin Slicker proved unbeatable on the day. But, on at least three occasions, Rangers forwards failed abysmally to put the finishing touch to some classy approach work.

Big performances from defenders such as Earnan Roche, Daire Englishby and Ivor Sherlock, together with the tireless efforts of Christy Grimes and the Reids - Adrian and David - along with Mark Brennan in attack inspired the Louth champions' comeback.

But their forwards failed to find a cutting edge.

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Sarsfields, with Dermot Early a key performer, led by 0-9 to 0-2 in the second quarter and by 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval. But the Kildare men were pegged back to the minimum margin, 0-10 to 0-9, early in a tense last quarter.

However, a great point from Dermot Earley gave them a little breathing space, 0-11 to 0-9. Slicker then produced his third crucial save before Gary White promptly pointed at the other end to open up a three-point gap.

Earley added a superb insurance point to finally kill off the Louth club's challenge.

Sarsfields had a match winner in every line. Slicker was brilliant, while full back Martin McIntyre, Gary White and Niall Hedderman were also superb in defence.

Dermot Early was inspirational throughout in midfield while Morgan O'Sullivan scored five points from play in the first half.

SARSFIELDS: G Slicker; N Campbell, M McIntyre, C Duffy, G White (0-4, 3 frees), M Dunne (0-1), N Hedderman; Dermot Early (0-2), A Barry; E Freaney (0-2), M O'Sullivan (0-5), M Browne; A Smyth (0-1), P Campbell, C Dempsey. Sub: David Early for Barry (in second half).

MATTOCK RANGERS: Michael Englishby; E Roche, R Sherlock, D Englishby; S Gilsenan, D Brennan, I Sherlock (0-1); G Hanratty, C Grimes (0-3, 1 free); A Reid (0-2), M Brennan (0-2), N Callan (0-1); R Brennan, D Reid (0-1), S Grimes. Subs: D Bannon for Hanratty; Mike Englishby for A Reid, A Finnegan for D Grimes, B Mulvey for I Sherlock (all in second half).

Referee: J Bannon (Longford).