Teenager Whelan’s opening-half strikes sink Sarsfields men

Date Published: 15-May-2013

 Kinvara 2-13

Sarsfields 1-15

Cian O’Connell at Kenny Park

SINCE losing the 2007 County decider Kinvara have lurched from one disappointing campaign to the next, but there was finally a real sense of hope again for them following Sunday’s merited and surprising win at Kenny Park.

This was arguably Kinvara’s most impressive and important result since that adventure six years ago as they eked out a victory from an enjoyable match. While the intensity levels didn’t scale the expected heights, this was a game that moved along at a nice clip and Kinvara’s smashing opening period display meant Sarsfields were always playing second half catch up.

Sarsfields, true to their rich heritage and history, did come within a whisker of forcing a draw, but few would dispute that Kinvara didn’t deserve this triumph. Resourceful from the outset, Kinvara coped with Sarsfields’ key men and the decision to put Shane Quinn on the previously influential Joseph Cooney moments before the break was decisive.

Cooney had been immense, but when Kinvara switched their personnel it meant that the Galway player wasn’t allowed control the contest in the classy and unfussy way he had been. Without Cooney at full tilt, the rest of the Sarsfields attack were contained.

Kerril Wade’s frees did keep Sarsfields in contention, but Kinvara were never headed in the closing stages. Their senior status has been preserved for another year and Kinvara go into the group stages in bonus territory with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

An excellent tenth minute goal from Cooney had Sarsfields 1-1 to 0-2 ahead, but Kinvara recovered and were able to play most of the first half deep in enemy territory. Central to this was Tom O’Donovan’s four points from distance which had a significant impact on proceedings because he wasn’t the only Kinvara forward motoring well.

Conor Kavanagh was providing leadership and an accurate free taking presence inside, while in Conor Whelan, a minor again in 2014, they have unearthed an exciting and opportunistic attacker. In the 17th minute, Whelan drilled a sweet goal to make the Sarsfields net dance and from then on Kinvara were loaded with confidence.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.