Donohue inspires Mullagh’s revival in quality showdown

Sarsfields  0-12

AN enthralling county senior camogie final last Sunday fittingly couldn’t declare new champions as Mullagh and Sarsfields will have to meet again (Saturday, Duggan Park, 4.30pm).

In a contest dominated by defences in the first half, it opened up significantly during the second 30 minutes as Mullagh came from five points behind to lead by three only for Sarsfields to show great composure to secure the draw.

Aoife Donohue’s 34th minute goal completed changed this final after Sarsfields led 0-6 to 0-1 at half-time as the captain put Madge Kennedy’s team to the front. But her opposite number Orlaith McGrath also stepped up in the critical final ten minutes to steer Sarsfields to parity.

This was a highly anticipated decider between two attacking east Galway outfits even though the opening period was low scoring. Indeed, Sarsfields had the ball in the Mullagh net after four minutes.  Siobhan McGrath has been a major force since her emergence in the senior ranks this year and her team’s tactic of putting the ball into her area was evident early on.

Ciara Donohue was assigned the marking job and kept tight with this year’s All-Ireland under 16 winning captain, but one slip allowed McGrath through but her pass to Sarah Spellman was ruled illegal even though the ball went over the line.

It wasn’t long though before Michael McGrath’s team did go ahead. On six minutes, Siobhan McGrath was brought down to allow sister Niamh the first chance. The three-time All-Star made no mistake splitting the posts.

But Sarsfields’ advantage only lasted 60 seconds as Mullagh responded. Aoife Donohue received possession down the left before sending a super effort from 40 yards over the bar. Another expected duel saw Tara Kenny assigned to pick up Donohue which was a gripping affair and the Sarsfields wing back edged the first round as Mullagh wouldn’t score again.

It took Sarsfields until the 12th minute to regain the initiative when Niamh McGrath found the target and her third free five minutes later put two between them. Already, Mullagh had looked to the bench with Therese Manton, who picked up a cruciate injury for Galway back in January, making her long awaited return.

But Sarsfields’ young full back line was playing with a maturity beyond their years as Rachel Murphy, Laura Ward and Aisling Spellman were very miserly with any presented opportunities. At the other end, the half forward line of Orlaith and Niamh McGrath plus Maria Cooney were keeping the Mullagh defence busy though Sinead Larkin, Sarah Dervan and Niamh O’Brien looked up for the challenge.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.