All square and no complaints. There was an Arctic chill about Pβirc Tβilteann (fast becoming "the theatre of draws") yesterday, but the Dublin champions and Sarsfields of Kildare played like we were in the midst of high summer.
This was a mid-winter classic, with two teams of contrasting styles but similar focus. Twice Na Fianna threatened to move onto a different echelon but Sarsfields, full of athleticism and grit, were the more piercing team at the death and when the game ended with a soaring fetch from Dermot Earley, the Kildare star hurled the ball at the turf in frustration.
Earley sensed a late kill but the neutrals in the stand rejoiced at the thought of a further 60 minutes of competition between the sides.
Na Fianna play in blue and gold and from the outset looked determined to demonstrate the Brazilian element to their game. They do, at times, play beautifully smooth football, with Tommo Lynch and Brian McManus overlapping to link with the city team's blue-chip forward line.
Jason Sherlock was involved in virtually everything positive Na Fianna did and was playmaker in chief for both goals. After 11 minutes, the Dublin side swept forward, with Des Mackin playing Kieran McGeeney who snapped a fine pass on for Sherlock who froze the Sarsfields defence with a devastating handpass to Dessie Farrell. On the edge of the square, Farrell nonchalantly selected his corner and drilled home.
That goal abruptly halted Sarsfields' impressively-direct start, with the big forward unit of Stuart McKenzie Smith and Enda Freaney producing three early points.
There is an imperious look to Na Fianna when they hit a groove and another visionary pass by Sherlock might have set Ian Foley up for a second goal after 14 minutes.
The match was in the balance at 1-7 to 0-8 after 36 minutes when Na Fianna struck again, with Sherlock again putting Foley in the clear and the corner forward duly buried the shot.
Faced with elimination, Sarsfields showed resolve. Earley got through a massive amount of work at midfield and Brian Moylan and John Whelan were also immense.
Na Fianna full back Nigel Clancy had, however, coped handsomely with the direct ball into McKenzie Smith and it was a short-ball move that revived them, with Niall Hedderman initiating an attack through Na Fianna's centre which Earley netted to leave it at 2-7 to 1-8.
From there in, the lead seesawed. Points from Sherlock and Senan Connell gave Na Fianna a two-point advantage with five minutes to go but Sarsfields' hunger was unremitting.
Their reprieve was due to industry more than style, with incessant pressure yielding a pair of frees that Earley and Padraig Brennan converted.
Sarsfields' capacity for smooth comebacks in the dying minutes is serving them well.
As in their previous match against outgoing Leinster champions O'Hanrahan's, they endured many uninspired sections and fired a series of second-half wides that were the consequence of stagnant attacks.
Na Fianna's difficulty was apposite; so perfect were their sweeping attacks that the ultimate aim often got lost in the elaboration.
This occurred most tellingly in the 52nd minute, when Sherlock developed a wonderful move with Arron Shearer and Farrell but elected for one pass too many, playing Foley when the goal loomed invitingly for an earlier strike.
NA FIANNA: S Grey; N ╙ Murch·, N Clancy, P McCarthy; T Lynch, S McGlincy, B McManus; K Donnelly (0-1), K McGeeney (0-1); D Farrell (1-3), S Connell (0-1), D Macken; P McGeeney (0-1), J Sherlock (0-2), I Foley (1-1, free). Subs: M Foley for S McGlinchy (24 mins, injured), A Shearer for P McGeeney (45 mins), P McEvoy for I Foley (53 mins).
SARSFIELDS: G Slicker; N Campbell, M McIntyre, M Dunne; N Hedderman, L Sex, T Brennan; D Earley, A Barry; D Earley (1-3, two frees), B Moylan (0-2), J Whelan (0-2); P Brennan (0-4, three frees), S McKenzie Smith (0-1), E Freaney (0-1). Subs: M Browne for J Whelan (46 mins).
Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).
