Second attempt to crown county hurling champions

Stock has been taken . . . the videos have been studied . . . revised strategies have been worked out in both camps . . . but now it’s down to the action inside the ring as Craughwell and Sarsfields resume hostilities at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (1.45pm).

This county senior hurling final replay in the darkening days of November presents both clubs with the opportunity to lay on a classier dish than what was put on the table at Kenny Park on Sunday week last . . . whether it will turn out that way remains to be seen.

A strong wind, a sticky surface and two sides erring on the side of caution in terms of defensive numbers, made for dour fare in the drawn game, but for all that, the clash was still quite absorbing in terms of tactics and the sheer will of both sides to get over the line.

Early on in that tie, Sarsfields had the gimp of winners about them but as the second half progressed the Tom Callanan Cup seemed to be within the grasp of Craughwell – in the end, neither side could have any regrets about leaving the result behind. Both were happy to settle for a less-than-pretty stalemate.

A more weather-resistant playing surface at the Salthill venue, allied to a relatively drier if colder forecast for the weekend, should help to further hopes of a more open hour’s play, although it does seem likely that the sweeper tactics will again be employed by both sides.

Niall Morrissey for Sarsfields and Craughwell’s Niall Healy gave a great exhibition of freetaking in the drawn game and accuracy from placed balls again seems likely to play a major role in what should again be a very tight encounter.

An equal share of 24 points in the drawn match – and only 11 of them from play – meant that the big players on both sides in the drawn encounter tended to be in defence.

Shane Dolan, Ian Daniels, Mark Horan and powerful centre-back Adrian Cullinane ruled the roost for Craughwell and it was little different at the other end where Cathal Murray, Darren Skehill, the roving Diarmuid Murray, the Quinns – Niall and Ronan – and Eamon Cleary, kept space and time on the ball to a minimum.

Craughwell seem unlikely to make any changes from the drawn match although they have lost standby attacker Brian Callanan, who broke a hand in training last Friday evening. Apart from that, they report a clean bill of health and manager Stephen Glennon is looking forward to the tie.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.