Rahoon Newcastle had to battle extremely hard to overcome a tenacious Sarsfields outfit in Sunday’s intermediate hurling championship first round tie at Pearse Stadium.

Niall Carr’s unerring accuracy from placed balls when he scored eight points in the first half to put Rahoon in a commanding position coming up to half-time.

However, Sarsfields threw themselves a lifeline in injury time with a well taken goal after Eamonn Joyce had initially saved the first effort from Michael McGrath – Barry O’Shea was on hand to guide the sliotar to the net despite the despairing efforts of goal keeper Brian Kelly to leave the interval score 0-12 to 1-4 in favour of the city side.

            Rahoon put a in a much improved display in the second period and outscored Sarsfields six points to one in the final 15 minutes to run out deserving winners on a scoreline of 0-20 to 1-10.

            This was a difficult enough assignment for the city lads. The defence coped admirably with the Sarsfields attack with the half-back line of Eamonn Joyce. Tony Og Regan and Shane Curley particularly prominent.

            The midfield of Niall Carr and Martin Kelly also contributed enormously while forwards David Kelly, Peter Keane and Bryan Cloherty and sub Enda Feeney all performed well.