ST PATRICK’S 2-12



SARSFIELDS were beaten by the better team when they lost to St Pat’s, Cullyhanna in last Saturday’s Intermediate Championship quarter-final played at Pearse Ogs Park in Armagh.

The Hoops got off to the worst possible start when Paudie Mackin, who shot 2-2 in the game, scored his side’s first goal after just three minutes.

The Trasna outfit got an insight into what life may be like at the top flight next season against the south Armagh club, but their ten wides hit at Ballycrummie certainly didn’t help their cause.

St Pat’s were bigger and stronger and played at championship pace. As for the losers they only raised a gallop in a purple patch after the break when they increased the tempo pulling the scoreline deficit back to five points. Unforced and fundamental errors however didn’t help a performance missing real goal scoring chances.

Cullyhanna should at last win an Intermediate Championship. Since their self exile from the senior series they have failed to impress but look better than Culloville or Silverbridge who contest the other semi-final.

Following the bad start Sarsfields gained composure to an extent but only managed three points in the first half.

A bad pass from Mal Mackin was intercepted by Aidan Murray and at the other end the Reynolds brothers combined and Johnny shot Trasna’s opening point.

Richie Stevenson knocked over Sarsfields’ other two scores of the half.

Although the winners always looked capable of winning with a little in hand, a more intense Sarsfields side with points from Paul Hughes, Johnny Reynolds and Richard Stevenson signalled a mini revival. St Pat’s replied with points form Shane and Ciaran McKeever and Paudie Mackin’s goal on forty-seven minutes closed the game out.

Richard Stevenson’s brace finished the scoring on the night. The pitch was huge as was the Sarsfields task, five or six of Trasna’s line out did well in a game which in real terms showed the difference between the first and second divisions.