Portroe earn what could be crucial point
Portroe 0-14
Thurles Sarsfields 0-14
Report: Noel Cahill in Dolla
Thurles Sarsfields and Portroe couldn’t be separated in this second round Seamus O’Riain clash on Sunday.
Played at a very high tempo, until the scorching sunshine took its toll in the final quarter, Sarsfields failed to score after the 39th minute allowing Portroe to reel in a two point deficit with a smashing Conor O’Brien point and a Robert Byrne free at the death.
Indeed Byrne was one of the brightest Port stars with a five point contribution but John Sheedy also landed five frees. Scores from play were too scarce for Port’s liking and a first half injury picked up by Kevin O’Halloran took away their most potent threat. As usual Port gave every ounce and their work rate kept them in it.
Sarsfields had a good spread of workers and scorers and looked to be in total control throughout the first half. They appeared to lose their way as the game progressed and the loss of Ritchie Ruth through injury entering the final quarter was crucial. The Purcell's put in a huge shift in the middle third and Seanie Butler and Jack Lanigan caused problems throughout.
Port opened proceedings through O’Halloran after 15 seconds but Sarsfields quickly responded through Rory Purcell and two Butler frees. Byrne and Sheedy points left the scores level after ten minutes but four without reply left Sarsfields ahead 0-7 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter.
A glorious point from Robert Byrne, on the run out of defence, and smashing points from James Ryan and Sam Madden brought Port back into it. With both sides adding three apiece the score at the break was 0-10 to 0-9 in favour of the Blues.
Sarsfields tacked on three more in the opening five minutes of the second half but careless fouling allowed Port to land three frees through Sheedy (2) and Byrne.
With both sides visibly tiring and the game turning scrappy Sarsfields were most affected and Seanie Butlers point from the right wing on 39 minutes proved to be their last score.
Portroe battled on as usual and a magical crossfield pass from Gennery to O’Brien left just a single score in it until Byrne cleverly manufactured the free to level the game.
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Robert Byrne (Portroe)
Portroe: Diarmuid Boyle (7); Michael Creamer (7), Michael Breen (7), Jack Maloney (7); Brian Keating (7), Justin Conroy (7), Robert Byrne (0-5, 4f) 8); Colm Gleeson (7), Conor O’Brien (0-1, 7); AJ Willis (7), James Ryan (0-1, 7), Mark Gennery (7); Sam Madden (0-1, 7), Kevin O’Halloran (0-1, 7), John Sheedy (0-5f, 7).
Subs: Ruadhan Mulrooney (7) for O’Halloran (34), Paddy O’Flaherty (6) for Madden (45), Cormac Keating (6) for Sheedy (52).
Thurles Sarsfields: Seamus O’Riain (7); Kevin Bracken (7), Rory Dwan (7), Seosamh Ryan (7); Pat Dunne (7), Jack Derby (7), Kevin O’Gorman (7); Harry Fitzgibbon (7), Michael Purcell (8); Michael Russell (7), Rory Purcell (0-2, 8), Jack Lanigan (0-2, 7); Seanie Butler (0-7, 5f) 8), Ritchie Ruth (0-2, 7), Mossy McCormack (0-1, 7).
Subs: Kevin Dunne (7) for Bracken (41), Bill Darcy (6) for Ruth (44), Cian Treacy (6) for Lanigan (52), Aidan Ryan (6) for McCormack (54).
Referee: Phil Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams).