Sarsfields win with late surge

Holders Moorefield surrendered their Kildare SFC title to their Newbridge neighbours yesterday.

Sarsfields, who last won the final two years ago, overhauled Moorefield towards the end of a second half in a closely-contested decider played at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge.

Moorefield made the better start and got the first three scores of the match including frees from Michael Ryan and Ronan Sweeney.

Dermot Earley opened Sarsfeilds account in the fifth minute but Moorefield dominated the opening half and led 0-4 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Two late scores from Patrick Murray gave Moorefield a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead.

With the aid of the breeze Sarfields improved in the second half and they levelled within five minutes.

Moorefield managed to take the lead again through Bernard Behan but they scored just twice in the second half as Sarsfield dominated at midfield.

Padraig Brennan and John Whelan each secured a late point to bring the trophy back to Sarsfields.

SARSFIELDS: G Slicker; N Campbell, M McIntyre, M Dunne; N Hedderman, L Sex, T Brennan; Dermot Earley (0-3), A Barry; M Brown, N Buckley (0-1), David Earley; P Brennan (0-4, 1 free), S McKenzie-Smith, E Freaney (0-1). Subs: J Whelan (0-1) for David Earley, N Morrissey for Brown and P Campbell for Freaney.

MOOREFIELD: P Canavan; D Barry, Martin Ryan, P O'Flynn; P Behan, L Hogan, K Duane; S Whyte, R Sweeney (0-2, both frees); P Murray (0-2), S Dowling, Michael Ryan (0-1, free); B McGrogan, C O'Neill (0-1), B Behan (0-2). Subs; F Hanniffy for McGrogan, R Delaney for Hogan, K O'Neill for Whyte and M Murray for Dowling.

Referee: B Duff (Kildare)