Sarsfields survive a stern Eire Og test to make it back to back wins in the SE Systems senior camogie championship

Sarsfields 4-14 

Eire Og 1-12 

Sarsfields overcame Eire Og to make it back to back SE Systems Senior camogie championship wins on Saturday, but not before they survived a stern test from an Eire Og side who made them fight very hard for victory.

Three first half goals helped Sarsfields enjoy a 12 point interval advantage despite playing against the strong wind at a blustery Castle Road and this set them up for the win.

Eire Og never panicked and showing great determination, they outscored Sarsfields 1-6 to 1-5 in the second half and were a bit unlucky not be closer as they were denied two goal chances on 50 minutes. 

The sides were level 0-2 a piece after six minutes with Kate Fennessy on target twice for Sarsfields and Clara Murphy and Orlaith Cremin finding the range for Eire Og.

The first of Sarsfields three goals arrived on eight minutes.

Claire Mullins slipping in behind her marker to edge the ball to the net. 

Eire Og responded with two points with Clara Murphy and Fiona Twohig converting frees, but Eire Og were hit with a killer blow when their keeper failed to hold Orlaith Mullins' long range effort as it tricked over the line to put four points between the sides.(2-2 to 0-4) 

Sarsfields worked the ball out of defence well.

Orla Cremin pointed for Eire Og, but Sarsfields took control as they fired over four points without reply before Holly Herlihy hit for their third goal and piling on the pressure Sarsfields hit three points to Eire Og’s one to lead 3-9 to 0-6 at the interval.

The second half was lively as Eire Og dug deep, and on the quarter mark it three goals still divided the sides.

Marie Gleeson denied Kate Fennessy with a supersave, but Maeve McCarthy finished the rebound to the net to reduce the pressure on Sarsfields but sweeping up field, Eire Og found a gap with Rachel Sheehan setting up Ally McGrath for a goal.

Twice Eire Og tested Molly Lynch, who denied them with good saves and as the full time whistle approached the sides traded points as Sarsfields ran out winners thanks in main to a strong opening half performance.

Scorers for Sarsfields: K Fennessy 0-6 (0-3f’s), M McCarthy 1-3, O Mullins, C Mullins 1-1each, R Roche 0-2, H Herlihy 1-0, L Allen 0-1.

Eire Og: C Murphy 0-3 (0-2f’s), A McGrath 1-0, O Cremin, I Sheehan (0-1f), O Twohig (f’s) 0-2 each, C O’ Brien, R Sheehan, E Sheehan 0-1 each.

Sarsfields: M Lynch; C Lynch, S Hurley, L Dunlea; T Elliott, O Mc Allen, K Barry; R Roche, C O’ Donovan; L Allen, H Herlihy, O Mullins; C Mullins, M McCarthy, K Fennessy.

Subs: A Fitzgerald for C Mullins (24 inj), E Woods for S Hurley (38), M Mullins for K Barry (53).

Eire Og: M Gleeson; A Mc Grath, F Murphy, A Hennessy; E Quigley, I Sheehan, G Young; E Sheehan, A Whelton; C Murphy, O Cremin, C O’ Brien; R Sheehan, E Healy, F Twohig.

Subs: R Murphy for G Young (h/t), L Murphy for E Healy (h/t), G O’ Mahony for C O’ Brien (50), K Mc McCarthy for A Hennessy (54).

Referee: Cathal Egan (Glen Rovers).