Sarsfields ............... 0-10

Moorefield ................ 0-8

When they needed to find a higher gear, to raise their game, there was nothing there.

They scored just two points for the duration of the second half as they battled against the breeze and though they have spent a good deal of this year’s championship digging out late victories against obviously inferior opposition they could find no route past Sarsfields when they needed scores in the second half.

The wind was a significant factor but Sarsfields fared better against it than their opponents did and this was the deciding factor, not to mention the performance of Dermot Earley and Niall Buckley in the middle of the park.

It all started swimmingly for Moorefield. Michael Ryan and Ronan Sweeney had frees on either side of a score from play by Bernard Behan.

With less than five minutes played Moorefield led by 0-3 to no score.

This set the tone for the opening half and although Sarsfields played second fiddle for most of it, there were a couple of promising signs such as the amount of ball won by Earley and Buckley and, with the exception of Bernard Behan and Patrick Murray, they were keeping close tabs on most of the Moorefield forwards.

Buckley provided Earley with a dangerous looking ball for Sarsfields first score but Earley managed to avoid a severe impact as he just about collected the ball ahead of the Moorefield defence for the opening score.

After 12 minutes Moorefield led by 0-4 to 0-2 but were concerned enough about the Sarsfields attack to move Kenny Duane in on the threatening figure of Padraig Brennan midway though the half.

The game was tense and you sensed that if either team got a goal it would be deciding score and Sarsfields had more green flag chances. Niall Buckley's effort, which was collected by Padraig Canavan was not strong enough and Stuart McKenzie-Smith opted to pull first time on a ball sent across the goalmouth to him.

It went wide. He probably didn’t have much option to do anything because he had little room or time but Sarsfields were at least breaching Moorefield’s defence.

Dermot Earley, now at centre forward in a switch with Buckley, replied with a Patrick Murray point but Murray scored again in the 28th and it was enough to give Moorefield a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead.

There was little to report from Moorefield for the opening minutes. By the 35th Sarsfields had levelled for the first time thanks to a Padraig Brennan a free and a score from play by Freaney. Sarsfields looked a good deal more comfortable and though Dermot Earley was restrained as he kicked a wide, he had the benefit of the advantage rule.

Moorefield's response to this was to introduce their first sub. Robbie Delaney came on; off went Brian McGragan and with him went Moorefield's best chance of a goal. Bernard Behan, who with Patrick Murray was Moorefield’s best forward pointed from a tight angle to restore Moorefield’s lead.

A few minutes later Dermot Earley had the game tied up after running 40 metres with the ball. It was a fine individual score from the best player on the field. he scored three times, processed a lot of possession and worked hard in defence.

Moorefield never led again though they did level when Cian O’Neill pointed in the 45th after gathering a free taken by Ronan Sweeney.

It was Moorefield’s last score though they were far from beaten.

Sarsfields’ forwards were the more polished group though they recorded seven wides (including two from placed balls) to Moorefield’s two in the second half. Padraig Brennan gave them a 0-9 to 0-8 lead in the 48th and a full eleven minutes elapsed before John Whelan left Moorefield needing a goal when he scored. Whelan’s was a brave effort especially after he had kicked a couple of wides before the Padraig Brennan batted the ball down into his path.

It was an example of some of Sarsfields best football in the second half. This score came from a Moorefield attack which was broken up by Dermot Earley, who also fielded a high ball to prevent a Moorefield point earlier in the half.

Sarsfields attack was much better contained than it was against Leixlip but at times they looked very dangerous.

Padraig Brennan was outstanding and so too was Freaney who must have gathered every ball sent into his corner. Tom Brennan struggled in the opening half but along with Niall Heddermen and Liam Sex he had a fine game in the second half while Martin Dunne was superb at corner back.

Patrick Murray, Bernard Behan and Cian O’Neill did well for Moorefield up front but after the break they were not as impressive as the opposing forwards. Apart from giving one ball away, Martin Ryan did nothing wrong at full back though brother Michael faded a bit after a promising start. Kenny Duane and Patrick Behan worked hard to plug the leaks which appeared with greater frequency as the game progressed.

Sarsfields were the better side even if the outcome was in the balance until the end. It is worth remembering though that there is little between the sides - a goal in Moorefield’s favour when they met in the 2000 quarter final and two points on this occasion.

Sarsfields: Gavin Slicker, Nigel Campbell, Martin McIntyre, Martin Dunne, Niall Hedderman, Liam Sex (Capt.), Tom Brennan, Dermot Earley (0-3), Alan Barry, Michael Brown, Niall Buckley (0-1), David Earley, Padraig Brennan (0-4, 1 free), Stuart McKenzie Smith, Enda Freaney (0-1). Subs; John Whelan (0-1) for David Earley 44th, Patrick Campbell for Enda Freaney 53rd and Niall Morrissey for Michael Brown 57th.

Moorefield: Padraig Canavan, Davy Barry, Martin Ryan (capt.), Padraig O’Flynn, Patrick Behan, Les Hogan, Kenny Duane, Sean Whyte, Ronan Sweeney (0-2, both frees), Patrick Murray (0-2), Seamus Dowling, Michael Ryan (0-1, free), Brian McGrogan, Cian O’Neill (0-1), Bernard Behan (0-2). Subs: Frank Hanniffy for Brian McGorgan 36th, Kevin O’Neill for Sean Whyte 42nd and Robbie Delaney for Les Hogan 46th.

Referee: Bernard Duff (Suncroft).

IT was an extremely disappointed Moorefield captain Martin Ryan whose initial reaction was “the best team won on the day.’’

We seemed to be always coming looking for the score; their defence was magnificent and then they hit us on the break; we could have been a few more point in front at half-time; the breeze was strong and we knew we had to lift our game coming out for the second period added the man who was attempting to bring the Dermot Burke Cup to Moorefield for the second year in a row.

“It was always going to be a one or two point game and it’s so important to be ahead in those types of games, rather than behind.’’

While we struggled in midfield they still couldn’t put us away; they knew from last year they would have to gain a lot of possession to win and this they did; we did hang in but couldn’t get the equaliser in that ten minute spell late in the second half.’’ -T.C.

Admitting that the midfield area was a problem the former county man was high in his praise for Niall Buckley, Dermot Earley and Alan Barry. “We were always going to struggle in that area; Roly is still a very young player as is Seanie White but we tried everything to break the stranglehold but never really managed to succeed; we were fire-fighting and while we lost that particular battle I felt we kicked it away ourselves, particularly in the first half.’’

A very disappointed Condon concluded by saying “You can only do so much, you can’t kick it over the bar for them; some of our better forwards were not to be seen today but all credit to Sarsfields, they worked hard and got the vital scores at the vital times.’’

-Tommy Callaghan