Cloughduv push Sarsfields all the way in cracking camogie clash
Cloughduv's Mariead Corkery manages to turn away from Evie Twomey and Lucy Allen of Sarsfields during the SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship match in Castle Road. Picture: Howard Crowdy
AN enjoyable game for spectators and a hard-fought SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship game at Castle Road on Saturday.
After trailing from the outset, Cloughduv drew level on 55 minutes, then went a point ahead, and a frantic closing stages with five additional minutes played saw Sars pull away with 1-3.
It was looking comfortable enough for Sars on the scoreboard, leading by eight on 27 minutes, but two goals in quick succession put just two between the sides.
A high delivery by Lisa Lynch went all the way to the net after Rachel Hurley had distracted Molly Lynch by swinging high on the incoming ball. It was followed up with an excellent team goal that involved Mairead Corkery, Ciara Hughes and Amy Sheppard who billowed the net.
Sars had been enjoying the lion's share of possession but excellent defending by Cloughduv, particularly Aileen Corkery, Aoife Barry Murphy and Aisling Kelleher who were hunting in packs, forced Sars to hit four wides in a row midway through the opening half.
Building on an impressive 2022 campaign Cloughduv raised the bar further with some great teamwork. But Sars had the greater spread of scoring forwards with seven registering on the scoreboard to four for Cloughduv. Some classy scores from Orlaith Mullins, Ava Fitzgerald, Kate Fennessy and Hollie Herlihy ensured the victory went to Glanmire.
Lucy Allen was doing good work around Sars' half-forward line in the opening half and spreading the play well they led 0-10 to 0-2 in addition to hitting four wides. Cloughduv pushed back with 2-1 either side of an Orlaith Mullins point to leave it 0-11 to 2-3 at the break.
The second half was more evenly matched. It was point for point along with some really good defending from both sides. It was 0-15 to 2-6 after the third quarter, with Amy Sheppard and a Lisa Lynch free closing the gap to one.
Kate Fennessy again before three in a row from Cloughduv saw them take the lead. It was Sheppard and Lynch (f) again before a long-distance pile driver from Mairead Corkery that edged them in front.
It took a monster Ava Fitzerald strike that drew Sars level again and when Evie Twomey hit a high ball into the square, Allen caught it and was fouled. Ella Woods buried the penalty, and it was game over even before Fennessy (f) and Fitzgerald had the final say.
K Fennessy 0-6 (0-2 f), O Mullins 0-5, E Woods 1-1 (1-0 pen), A Fitzgerald 0-3, H Herlihy 0-2, L Allen, C Mullins 0-1 each.
A Sheppard 1-5 (0-1 45), L Lynch 1-4 (0-4f), N McNabola, M Corkery 0-1 each.
M Lynch; R Roche, E Murphy, A Nestor; S Hurley, L Dunlea, C Lynch; A Fitzgerald, E Twomey; L Allen, O Mullins, K Fennessy; H Herlihy, E Woods, C Mullins.
K Sheehan for C Mullins (inj, 15), N O’Callaghan for A Nestor (h-t), O McAllen for R Roche (50), M McCarthy for H Herlihy (54).
C O’Leary; A Buckley, A Kelleher, A Corkery; A Barry Murphy, N O’Leary, F Drinan; C Hughes, L Buttimer, N McNabola, L Lynch, C Sheppard; A Sheppard, M Corkery, R Hurley.
S Bateman for C Sheppard (h-t).
Simon Stokes (Tullylease).
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