Sarsfields of Cork are through to their first ever AIB All-Ireland club senior hurling final – but only just.
They held on for a one-point win over Slaughtneil, but the Derry champions will rue a glorious goal chance deep in stoppage time that could well have tipped the balance in their favour.
Instead, chasing a two-point deficit, skipper Mark McGuigan’s close range effort flashed over the crossbar. And when Sarsfields won a free in the next play, even though it went wide, victory was assured.
A scratchy first-half at Cedral St Conleth’s Park gave way to a breathless second period, the lead swaying back and forth before two Cormac O’Doherty frees brought the sides level at 0-15 apiece on the stroke of 60 minutes.
Four additional minutes had been signalled, plenty of more time for drama. Sarsfields quickly edged two ahead once more, via Aaron Myers and sub Liam Healy; back came Slaughtneil with a third point from wing-back Shane McGuigan.
Mark McGuigan of Slaughtneil shoots over the bar in the final moments of the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final match against Sarsfields of Cork
Cathal McCarthy replied in superb fashion, scoring from the left touchline as referee James Owens played advantage. Then came the goal chance in a crowded goalmouth that will surely haunt Slaughtneil as they were consigned to their fifth defeat from five attempts at the semi-final stage.
Instead, Sarsfields march on to a Croke Park decider on January 19 – the first Cork finalists since Newtownshandrum lost to Portumna in 2006.
They were indebted to livewire Cork panellist Jack O’Connor, who excelled in his voracious workrate while shooting 0-4 from play, two in each half.
Both clubs were chasing their first ever All-Ireland final appearance, and perhaps it showed in a patchy first-half, disrupted by frees and with minimal free-flowing passages until late in the half-hour.
Sarsfields came within a whisker of landing an early hammer blow, but Colm McCarthy’s low goal attempt (after a questionable number of steps) was saved low down by Oisín O’Doherty.
The Cork men retained possession and Aaron Myers eventually pointed, but even that proved something of an exception – the first of only six first-half points from open play.
Sars established an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead, only for Slaughtneil to reply with the next four.
Sarsfields selector Diarmuid O’Sullivan reacts after his side’s victory in the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final
But then Cormac O’Doherty’s free-taking radar, so flawless to begin with, went askew with three misses on the spin. Meanwhile, at the other end, Sars landed five points in succession – via Jack O’Connor with 0-2, Bryan Murphy and a brace of Daniel Hogan frees.
O’Doherty rediscovered his range with a testing ‘65’ before Shane McGuigan reduced their half-time deficit to the minimum, 0-8 to 0-7.
On the restart, Slaughtneil hit six of the first eight points to briefly establish three-point daylight at 0-13 to 0-10. But there followed 14 barren minutes during which Sarsfields hit five on the spin to regain the initiative – and the lead – setting the scene for that grandstand finish.
Scorers – Sarsfields: A Myers 0-5 (2f), D Hogan (4f), J O’Connor 0-4 each, Cathal McCarthy 0-2, B Murphy, S O’Regan, L Healy 0-1 each. Slaughtneil: C O’Doherty 0-9 (8f, 1 ‘65’), S McGuigan 0-3, S Cassidy, E Cassidy, M McGrath, R Ó Mianáin, M McGuigan 0-1 each.
Sarsfields: B Graham; P Leopold, C Roche, C O’Sullivan; B Murphy, E Murphy, L Elliott; Colm McCarthy, Cathal McCarthy; D Kearney, D Hogan, C Darcy; A Myers, J Sweeney, J O’Connor. Subs: S O’Regan for Sweeney (42), C Leahy for Leopold (44), K Murphy for E Murphy (50), L Healy for Kearney (58).
Slaughtneil: O O’Doherty; F McEldowney, S Cassidy, P McNeill; S McGuigan, R Ó Mianáin, C McAllister; J Cassidy, M McGrath; C O’Doherty, B Rogers, M McGuigan; S Cassidy, S McGuigan, E Cassidy. Subs: C McKaigue for Ó Mianáin (51), G Bradley for McGrath (56), P McCullagh for J Cassidy b (58).
Ref: J Owens (Wexford).