Youthful Sarsfields seize the day by securing historic title

Mullagh 1-8

TWENTY-seven years to the day that he captained his club to county senior hurling glory, Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath oversaw an historic success last Saturday when Sarsfields were crowned  senior camogie champions for the first time ever.

In a contest equally as intense and entertaining as the first instalment six days earlier, it took a Siobhan McGrath goal six minutes from time to finally put distance between two evenly matched sides as her sister Orlaith got the honour of lifting the Catherine Donnellan Cup.

Throughout the field, Sarsfields fought for every ball including a rock solid defence who limited chances for their opponents while, at critical stages, the New Inn/Bullaun/ Woodford outfit picked off crucial points.

But likewise, Mullagh played their part battling back into contention after Patricia Manning’s 28th minute major and had another couple of goal chances gone their way, this replay could have had a different outcome.

Spectator interest had increased following the pulsating drawn game in Athenry and the throw-in had to be delayed nearly 10 minutes due to the huge crowd arriving.

Mullagh started brightly, with Aoife Donohue out on the left wing and they won a free in the second minute which the county player landed for the opening score.

However, Sarsfields responded within 60 seconds as Niamh McGrath found the target to level affairs before her side built a three-point lead.

While Donohue and McGrath have proved reliable from placed balls, early scores from play would give one side the initiative and Sarsfields seized it. Orlaith McGrath converted on eight minutes before Maria Cooney split the posts within a minute. When Niamh McGrath sent over a second free on 13 minutes, Sarsfields led 0-4 to 0-1.

Sarsfields looked to be spreading the ball much better than persisting with deliveries to Siobhan McGrath who would make her impact be felt. In contrast, Mullagh’s tactic was to try and supply Donohue and Collette Hardiman but often left themselves short on numbers as they pulled players back to try win the midfield exchanges.

A Donohue free on 15 minutes reduced the deficit but Sarsfields were enjoying the breaks.  Siobhan McGrath, scoreless in the drawn game, opened her account within 60 seconds before Orlaith McGrath won two frees which her sister Niamh converted to stretch their lead to 0-7 to 0-2.

Mullagh needed the rub of the green and they got their chance on 22 minutes. An attack involving Donohue led to Therese Manton being taken down for a penalty. Goalkeeper Caitriona Daly came the length of the field for the resulting shot but a player travelling a similar distance, full forward Cooney blocked it on the line.

A chance went abegging for Mullagh but they were starting to test the Sarsfields defence.  Beforehand, Niamh McGrath hit back with a free putting six between the teams before Mullagh countered only for Colette Glennon’s fierce effort to shave the wrong side of the post.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.