News

Rare Win in Cullyhanna

November 7, 2018

St. Patrick’s Cullyhanna 1-09 Sarsfields 1-11
The long trip to Cullyhanna is often unrewarding and on a particularly wet and windy evening it would be easy not to pull out to support your team. However the Highmoss team have been pulling off results and certainly they expected to go to South Armagh and get something from the game.
Sarsfields began into a very strong wind and their task was immediately apparent when the home side hit a point within seconds. Sarsfields struggled with their attacks and found Cullyhanna coming straight back at them in waves. The home side could have had an early goal and when they hit their second point they could have been further ahead. Paul McGeown kept Sarsfields with a couple of points, one from play and the other a free. Using the breeze Cullyhanna added on scores, though hard work from Sarsfields restricted their scoring options. This coupled with the poor conditions meant that the home side was held scoreless for over twenty minutes. Aidan Haughian levelled matters with a well taken goal after he was quickest to react when the ball went loose in the square. Richie Stevenson edged the Highmoss ahead for the first time in the match a moment later and it has to be said that you wouldn’t have expected to see Sarsfields ahead playing against the wind. Cullyhanna levelled the score just before the break, but would have been disappointed not to be ahead at half time.
Early points from Paul McGaughey and Richie Stevenson edged the Highmoss ahead early in the second half. Cullyhanna pulled a point back but Sarsfields playing the better football pulled further ahead with points from Eamon McGeown and Richie Stevenson and two points from Paul McGeown. Aidan Haughian had a chance for a second goal but was denied by the St. Patrick’s keeper. Leading by five it was looking good for Sarsfields, but the optimism was reduced when the home side got a goal against the run of play. Cullyhanna then added a point to leave just two between the sides. Sarsfields though showed great resilience and a vital point from Eamon McGeown gave the Highmoss that important three point cushion. Sarsfields continued to disrupt Cullyhanna possession and to hold the ball, giving the home side little chance to come back at them. Cullyhanna pulled a point back but Sarsfields came away with a rare victory and possibly their best win of the season at this South Armagh venue.

Sarsfields Team Darran McAvoy Peter Stevenson, Paul Magee, Ciaran Kerr Declan Breen, Darren Breen, Mark Reynolds, Eamon McGeown (0-02), Brian Lavery, Aidan Haughian (1-00), Paul McGaughey (0-02), Eimeíd Murray, Kieran McAlinden, Paul McGeown (0-04), Richie Stevenson (0-03), Subs used Brian Kerr for Kieran McAlinden