Superb Sarsfields rally after tough week to claim camogie title victory
Olivia Seandún Close Mcallen Battle Of Jim Coughlan Picture: Quarters: De Castle Championship And Senior At Road The cork Camogie During Final Club Roisin Faoite, Sarsfields
Impressive Sarsfields claimed their third SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship title at Castle Road today, and their first since 2019. Before a huge and energetic crowd, it was a pillar-to-post victory for Tadhg Óg Lynch’s team, who avenged last year’s two-point defeat.
Settling into the game early, their 1-7 to 0-4 interval lead against the wind, would be sufficient.
It was a week of mixed emotions for the Riverstown club. Soon after their hurlers won the Cork PSHC last Sunday, Storm Babet did serious damage.
This was put aside - temporarily at least - as the local community came out in force to support their team.
Neighbours Erin’s Own gave them the use of their facilities on Thursday night, and it made sure they were ready for battle.
In keeping with the captaincy being rotated, it was the injured Amy McNamara who went in for the toss, while team stalwart Niamh O’Callaghan collected the Punch Shoe Care Cup.
Seandún were denied three-in-a-row titles, and for the seven Blackrock players who were crowned intermediate champions 24 hours earlier, this wasn’t to be any further glory.
Sarsfields played with no fear and took the game to Seandún. They went three points clear after six minutes, the Mullins sisters Orlaith and Clare (Player-of-the-match) and Lucy Allen causing all sorts of problems up front.
Seandún tried to remedy the problem, and it took them nine minutes to open their scoring through an Amy O’Connor free.
And whilst Seandún brought it back to 0-5 to 0-4 after 20 minutes, there was no let up for Sars who bagged a further 1-2 before the break.
The goal epitomised everything that was good about them. Ellen Murphy and Cliona Lynch worked the ball out of defence, Orlaith Mullins and Lucy Allen the links before Clare Mullins swept the ball home from close range.
The Sarsfields defence and goalkeeper Molly Lynch on top too.
Kate Fennessy’s accurate free-taking was key also as they went six up at half-time.
Seandún tried their best to get into the game. They introduced Erinn Curtin and Maeve Coffey at the break, and the pair did help to reduce the margin to three points, 1-9 to 0-9, with the final 12 minutes left to play.
Sarsfields were being severely tested. However, uncharacteristic missed frees from Amy O’Connor left them off the hook.
Asked serious questions, they were excellent in shutting Seandún down. All six of the Sars rearguard - Niamh O’Callaghan, Olivia McAllen, Lucy Kelly, Ellen Murphy, Cliona Lynch and young Laura Dunlea simply superb.
They finished strong, and it was no surprise to see Lucy Allen and Clare Mullins give them that breathing space, which they maintained to the very end.
C Mullins (1-2), K Fennessy (0-5 frees), L Allen and O Mullins (0-2 each).
A O’Connor (0-4, 0-1 free), L Homan, S Mills, K Mackey, E Curtin and M Coffey (0-1 each).
M Lynch; L Dunlea, E Murphy, L Kelly; C Lynch, O McAllen, N O’Callaghan; A Fitzgerald, E Twomey; O Mullins, K Fennessy, H Herlihy; L Allen, C Mullins, K Sheehan.
Subs: R Roche for H Herlihy (47), E Woods for K Fennessy (50), Á Mullins for K Sheehan (58).
A Lee (Na Piarsaigh); N O’Leary (Brian Dillons), L McKeogh (Blackrock), C O’Keeffe (St Vincent’s); M Scannell (Bishopstown, Capt), P Mackey (Douglas), S K Brosnan (Brian Dillons); H Ryan (Blackrock), S Mills (Brian Dillons); C Coleman (Na Piarsaigh), K Mackey (Douglas), L Homan (St Vincent’s); A O’Connor (St Vincent’s), R De Faoite (Blackrock), C O’Callaghan (Blackrock).
Subs: E Sharpe (Brian Dillons) for C O’Keeffe (29), E Curtin (Blackrock) for S K Brosnan, M Coffey (Blackrock) for C Coleman (both half-time).
Andy Larkin (Ballygarvan).
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