Siobhan McGrath hits 2-9 as Sarsfields brush aside Shamrocks with ease
Sarsfields qualified for their eleventh consecutive county senior camogie final after comprehensively overcoming Shamrocks 4-22 to 0-11 on Saturday afternoon in Killimor. Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath’s charges produced a powerful second half display to emphatically put their opponents to the sword.
It is clear that losing their crown to Athenry in last year’s final has seen Sarsfields find another level of hunger and determination this season, as they bid to put 2025 firmly behind them. With the likes of Laura Ward, Niamh McGrath, and Joanne Daly back in the side after last year’s absences, Sarsfields are as formidable as ever.
After winning the senior B title and earning promotion last season, Des O’Halloran’s Shamrocks side impressively went undefeated through the senior A championship this year to qualify for the semi-final. However, they came up against a team which was operating at a different level on Saturday.
The first half in Killimor was fairly evenly contested, with the underdogs competing well. Sarsfields had 1-1 on the board after five minutes, with Orlaith (point) and Siobhán McGrath (goal) getting early scores. Katie Gilchrist opened Shamrocks’ account with a pointed free at the other end, but Sars replied with two points from Shannon Corcoran and Siobhán McGrath (’45).
Shamrocks soon tallied three consecutive points, through Gilchrist (free), Leah O’Halloran, and Niamh McInerney. Hopper McGrath’s charges replied with three of their own. Siobhán McGrath (two frees) and the outstanding Laoise McGrath raised white flags to make it 1-6 to 0-4 after fifteen minutes.
Gilchrist narrowed the margin with her third free, while McInerney tallied her second point for Shamrocks, either side of a ’45 from Siobhán McGrath at the other end. Further Sarsfields scores from Laoise and Niamh McGrath (two, one free), as well as Joanne Daly made it 1-11 to 0-6 late in the first half.
Shamrocks finished the half strongly with the final three scores before half-time. O’Halloran sent over her second point, before scores from Gilchrist (two, one free) narrowed the margin to five points at the interval.
The eight time senior champions found another gear early in the second half and decisively put the contest to bed in the third quarter. Sarsfields struck seven consecutive points to put the game beyond their opponents. Siobhán McGrath (five frees), Niamh McGrath (one free), and an excellent score from Caoimhe Kelly stretched out their lead, before a goal from Siobhán McGrath ended any chance of a contest.
Niamh McGrath soon added her third free, before Shannon Corcoran scored an excellent individual goal. Orlaith McGrath and Corcoran added points, before the first of Shamrocks’ two second half points came from Niamh McInerney,
Sarsfields’ substitute Mary Brigid Cosgrove soon tallied their fourth goal, before Kelly and Cosgrove (free) brought their tally to 4-23. McInerney, who was very impressive for Shamrocks, got their final score and her fourth, before All Star nominee Kelly registered the last point of the contest at the other end.
Sarsfields: E. Murray; R. Kelly, L. Ward, K. Gallagher; Ciara McGrath, L. McGrath (0-2), J. Daly (0-1); M. Cooney, N. McGrath (0-4, 0-3 frees); K. Donohue, S. Spellman, O. McGrath (0-2); S. Corcoran (1-2), S. McGrath (2-9, 0-7 frees, 0-2 ‘45s), C. Kelly (0-3). Subs: M. B. Cosgrove (1-1, 0-1 free) for Donohue (45), Clodagh McGrath for Gallagher (50), C. Kenny for S. McGrath (51), E. Dillon for Ward (53).
Shamrocks: Ciara McClearn; A. Donoghue, Caoimhe McClearn, L. Drennan; L. Boyle, A. Hesnan, A. Lawless; E. Hesnan, H. Hesnan; K. Donoghue, K. Gilchrist (0-5, 0-4 frees), C. Lawless; N. McInerney (0-4), E. Lawless, L. O’Halloran (0-2). Subs: G. McCarthy for Boyle (46), R. McInerney for K. Donoghue (48), S. Devine for A. Donoghue (56), S. Murray for Drennan (56).
Referee: Enda Loughnane.