Kelly’s late exploits swing stirring tie Sarsfields’ way

Sarsfields 2-18

 Gort 0-22

A total of 1-1 from substitute Kieran Kelly deep into injury-time secured a gritty Sarsfields victory over rivals Gort in this cracking Senior ‘A’ Group 2 fixture at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday evening.

With the four minutes of injury-time indicated almost up, Gort led 0-22 to 1-17, and it looked as if they would triumph. However, when Sarsfields midfielder Kevin Cooney picked out Kelly, the substitute, seeing a gap appear, raced through the cover and fired home a goal that sent the Sarsfields followers into ecstasy.

On the resulting puckout, Kelly found himself in possession again, and he clipped over a point to seal a victory that seemed as unlikely as it did likely at various stages of an absorbing contest.

Throughout, the lead changed hands several times, although for most of the game it appeared as if Gort would have enough to secure a much needed win. Approaching half-time, they led 0-11 to 0-5, but just as they would do in the second period, they conceded a goal to Sarsfields in the fourth minute of time added on at the end of the first half.

On this occasion, a Kevin Cooney free caused consternation in the Gort defence and on hand to avail was Niall Morrissey with a first-time pull to the net. Instead of going in six points down, Sarsfields had the margin cut to three. It was a psychological boost to Sarsfields; a psychological blow for Gort.

The opening exchanges of this fixture were cagey, with Gort taking the lead initially through a Jason O’Donoghue point before scores from Morrissey and Eric Kenny saw Sarsfields take the lead for the one and only time in the first period. Indeed, they would not be in front again until midway through the second half.

For Gort’s part, they found their rhythm towards the end of the first quarter when points from Kaelen Higgins and O’Donoghue (2) nudged them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead, before further efforts from Greg Lally (play and two frees), substitute Gerard O’Donoghue (with his first touch), Aiden Helebert, Jack Grealish, and Higgins pushed them 0-11 to 0-4 clear.

Sarsfields modest response over this 20 minutes of hurling was a brace of Morrissey frees. He then converted his fourth free two minutes into injury-time, before the same player pulled to the net to haul Sarsfields back into contention.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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