Sars v Seandún: Linda Mellerick on why Sunday's senior camogie final could be a classic
Amy O'Connor fires over a point for Seandún against Cloughduv in the SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship semi-final at Castle Road. Pic Larry Cummins
IF the 2022 final is a benchmark, then we are in for a highly exciting senior championship final between Sarsfields and Seandún on Sunday.
2-16 to 1-17 is how that final finished with the divisional side taking honours. It was Sarsfield’s slow start that caught them. Seandún, Amy O’Connor, had 1-4 inside eight minutes to a single point for Sars.
They had the margin down to five at half time and the third quarter display was as good as you’ll see where Sars drew level. But they never led, and it was Seandún who finished strongest.
In this year’s semi-final against St Catherine's, Sars took off like a train and they’ll be hoping for a similar start.
Bench-wise Sars are stronger.
The calibre of Ella Woods, who didn’t start the semi-final, Meabh Mullins, Chloe Casey, Maeve McCarthy, testament to that.
They’re a balanced outfit with a steady defence including Ellen Murphy, Olivia McAllen, and the returned Niamh O’Callaghan whose experience is immeasurable there.
Lucy Kelly is another returnee and with Laura Dunlea and Cliona Lynch, this section is strong.
Molly Lynch’s puckouts will reach the opposition 45 and put them on immediate attack where Seandún’s Maeve Scannell, Pamela Mackey and Susan Kate Brosnan could face the experienced and pacey Hollie Herlihy, Kate Fennessy and Orlaith Mullins.
This line is crucial for both sides to win.
Seandún have a couple of loose areas and don’t have as strong a bench as Sars.
Sinead Mills did well there in the semi, a player always disruptive to the opposition.
They need to get fast and intelligent ball inside. Substitute hero against Cloughduv, Maeve Coffey, should start. Sars may drop a player back.
Katrina Mackey, Amy O’Connor, and Cliona O’Callaghan need to dictate positioning if that happens, and they can’t be fixated with goals. Points win games too.
Blackrock have their intermediate final twenty-four hours beforehand.
This title, should it come, is a long time in the making and it’ll be a tough ask of Leah McKeogh, Hayley Ryan, Ciona O’Callaghan, Roísín de Faoite, Erin Curtin, and Maeve Coffey to put that behind them and line out again on Sunday but considering the lure of a third senior title in a row and a large crowd watching, surely you would want to do yourself justice on the day.
They may be a little ‘leggy’, but youth and adrenaline can carry you a long way.
Seandún will need another inspiring performance from Lauren Homan, who has done the Seandún jersey proud this past three seasons, and Hayley Ryan at midfield, to counteract Ava Fitzgerald and Evie Twomey.
Defensively Seandún need to get their match-ups right.
All Sars forward line are capable of scoring and being match-winners on the day.
Keeper Amy Lee, Niamh O’Leary, Mackey, and Scannell are vastly experienced at this stage as is Susan Kate playing in her third final. They’ll need to grab this game by the scruff of the neck, communicate and work as a team to counteract Sars' inside threat where Lucy Allen is also lurking after missing last year’s final through injury.
The stars could be aligning for Sars with their hurling counterparts taking the title last Sunday.
I believe the last club to win both senior hurling and camogie titles in the same year was Glen Rovers in 1967.
The Glen did the double in 1962, ’64 and ’67. The chance of a first double in 56 years I’ve no doubt will be further inspiration for Sars and bring a larger support from Glanmire to Castle Road.
Seandún haven’t overly impressed this year yet but they’re still in the final.
They’re due a big performance. Will the final be it or will they lose their three-in-a-row bid?
It could come down to who wants this the most. Sars will be hurting from last season.
The club double is on. Once again it was shown last week in the World Cup quarter-final what desire and intensity can do.
The build-up all week suited New Zealand. Even their own thought they’d be beaten. It was all the incentive they needed.
Last year I tipped Seandún. This year I feel the scales are tipped in Sars’ direction.
Seandún will need to pull out all the stops or Sars will win their third senior title and second since 2019.
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