Sarsfields hold off Timahoe to claim Junior ‘B’ honours

LOETB Laois LGFA Junior ‘B’ Final

Sarsfields 3-6 

Timahoe 1-9 

SARSFIELDS were crowned LOETB Laois LGFA Junior ‘B’ champions after a hard-fought encounter with Timahoe at Annanough GAA on Sunday afternoon, edging out their opponents by three points following an entertaining contest.

It was a game that remained finely balanced for long spells, with little to separate the sides as both teams traded scores and momentum. Timahoe held the advantage at the interval, but Sarsfields responded impressively after the restart and the lead continued to fluctuate. Neither side was able to pull clear, with some excellent defensive play and crucial saves keeping the contest in the balance right until the closing stages.

Timahoe made the brighter start and had an early opportunity to open the scoring when Sarah Deegan’s effort was well saved by Sarsfields goalkeeper Sadhbh Whelan.

However, it was Sarsfields who struck first after seven minutes. Amy Flanagan produced a superb run before playing a neat one-two with Niamh Peake, and Flanagan finished the move clinically to the net and gave Sarsfields an ideal start.

Timahoe responded with a Frankie Gorman free, before Sarsfields added their first point through Rachel Heffernan. Timahoe began to find their rhythm and levelled through Edel Deegan. A superb run from Sinead Larkin, following a Georgie Gorman kickout that went over the top, saw her find Deegan, who made no mistake in splitting the posts.

Deegan then added another point as Timahoe began to take control. Sarsfields almost responded with a second goal when Ruby Bancroft played in Aoibhin McEvoy, but Georgie Gorman made an excellent interception to prevent a clear goal chance.

Niamh Ramsbottom extended Timahoe’s lead with a point before Gorman found the net from the penalty spot. There was plenty of action in the Sarsfields square before a foul eventually brought about the penalty, which Gorman dispatched confidently.

Aoibhinn Burke added another Timahoe point, but Sarsfields finished the half strongly. Just before the interval, Hannah O’Connor combined brilliantly with Sarah Burke in a one-two, before O’Connor’s effort lobbed the Timahoe goalkeeper and found the net narrowing the deficit meaning at half-time Timahoe led by one 1-5 to 2-1.

Sarsfields came flying out of the blocks after the restart, with O’Connor converting a free before Sinead Wall produced one of the moments of the game. Wall embarked on a superb run and, despite initially dropping the ball, showed great determination to get onto it again and volley the ball into the net.

Timahoe refused to let the game slip away, with Larkin replying with a point. O’Connor then converted another free for Sarsfields, but Timahoe continued to keep the pressure on as Deegan and Larkin, from a free, added scores.

O’Connor was proving to be a constant threat for Sarsfields and added another free to keep her side in front. Timahoe came close to another goal when Reitlin Hooney got through on goal, but Whelan produced another excellent save to deny her and keep Sarsfields’ advantage intact.

Bancroft and Nicole Matthews then added points for Sarsfields as they looked to put daylight between the sides. Timahoe continued to battle until the end, with Gorman converting another free, but Sarsfields held firm.

The final whistle confirmed a memorable 3-6 to 1-9 victory for Sarsfields, securing the Junior B title after a closely fought and entertaining final in Annanough.

SCORERS:

Sarsfields: Hannah O’Connor 1-3 (0-3fs), Sinead Wall and Amy Flanagan 1-0 each, Rachel Heffernan, Ruby Bancroft, and Nicole Matthews 0-1 each.

Timahoe: Frankie Gorman 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2fs) Edel Deegan 0-3, Sinead Larkin 0-2 (0-1f), Niamh Ramsbottom and Aoibhinn Burke 0-1 each.

SARSFIELDS: Sadhbh Whelan; Lucy Jane Burke, Amy Flanagan, Aishling Foyle; Aisling Payne, Sarah Burke, Sioda Davis; Ruby Bancroft, Leah Farrell; Niamh Peake, Nicole Matthews, Aoibhin McEvoy; Sinead Wall, Rachel Heffernan, Hannah O’Connor.

Subs: Emma Delaney for Peake (24m), Leah White for Wall (57m).

TIMAHOE: Georgie Gorman; Jill Sheehy, Niamh Fitzpatrick, Grainne Ramsbottom; Orlaith McNamara, Holly McCarthy, Ruby Guinan; Aoife McKittrick, Sarah Deegan; Niamh Ramsbottom, Sinead Larkin, Reiltin Hooney; Edel Deegan, Frankie Gorman, Rachel Kelly.

Subs: Aoibhinn Burke for McKittrick (19m, inj), Pippa Casey for Kelly (39m), Lucy Scully for Sheehy (50m), Orlagh Creery for E. Deegan (50m).

Referee: Padraig Whelan (St Brigid’s).