Champions St Finbarr's have too much firepower for Blackrock to return to camogie final
Kate Wall, St Finbarr's, in action against Blackrock at the Senior Camogie Championship semi-final at MTU. Picture: Larry Cummins
Champions St Finbarr’s booked their place in the SE Systems Senior Camogie final after an all-city clash at MTU.
Blackrock battled for every ball and were well in contention in the opening half, but once the holders found their rhythm, they were the better side.
Sorcha McCartan was superb with 1-8, 1-4 from play. She was a constant threat up front. Kate Wall worked hard and won a lot of ball.
The Barrs' movement and awareness off the ball was excellent. McCartan, in particular, caused headaches for the Blackrock defence with her awareness.
A close opening half with both sides deploying an extra player in defence, ensured both attacks had to work hard. They were level on three occasions inside the opening quarter and both looked nervous, hitting five wides apiece.
Hayley Ryan's free three minutes in had Blackrock on the scoreboard. Barrs had two wides before McCartan settled them with a free.
Aishling Shannon and Ryan swapped before Juliet O'Keeffe edged Blackrock ahead. The Barrs were the busier of the two defences coming under a lot of pressure, but with Meabh Cahalane marshalling a strong unit, they held their composure.
Wall and McCartan were deep at times to help relieve the pressure. Michelle Murphy and O'Keeffe were winning good possession for Blackrock but they failed to stretch their advantage.
McCartan hit three without reply, one from play. The favourites began to open up. Twice they saw goal chances go wide but they finished the half strongly with points from McCartan and Nicole Olden to lead 0-7 to 0-3.
Blackrock needed a good start to the second half but it was St Finbarr’s who got it. Hannah O'Leary scored before the opening goal in a move that was started in defence. Grainne Cahalane found Keeva McCarthy who off-loaded to McCartan and she made no mistake.
With plenty of possession in the middle third and a good supply, Orlaith Cahalane was always a threat with her turn of pace. Keeva McCarthy and Cahalane kept the scoreboard ticking for the Barrs.
Blackrock were still working hard. Ryan converted a free and Maeve Coffey had one from play but with McCarthy and McCartan picking off points, nine separated the sides at the end of the third quarter.
O'Keeffe split the posts and the Rockies came close to a goal. However, the sliotar was scrambled to safety.
McCartan and Kaitlin Hickey swapped scores but quick as a flash, the Barrs had the ball in the net again.
Cahalane outpaced her marker and found McCartan, who sent a precision pass to Ella Wiggington-Barrett to finish to the net.
Blackrock did have a goal chance hit the upright with seconds remaining but the champions were well on their way to the final.
S McCartan 1-8 (0-4 f), K McCarthy 0-3, E Wiggington-Barrett 1-0, A Shannon, N Olden, H O'Leary, O Cahalane 0-1 each.
H Ryan 0-4 (0-3 f), J O'Keeffe 0-2, M Coffey, S McCarthy, K Hickey 0-1 each.
C Hurley; S Punch, S Daly, A O'Neill; G Cahalane, M Cahalane, C Golden; E Olden, A Shannon; H O'Leary, K Wall, K McCarthy; O Cahalane, N Olden, S McCartan.
E Hurley for E Olden (38), E Wiggington-Barrett for N Olden (45), A Egan for S Daly (48), L O'Donovan for H O'Leary (54), K Cahalane for A O'Neill (57).
A Kearney; A Hegarty, M Ryan, M Cashman; L Guerin, R de Faoite, O Grimley; K Hickey, J O'Keeffe; M Coffey, H Ryan, M Murphy; E Curtin, L McKeogh, C O'Callaghan.
J Murphy for L Guerin (37), S McCarthy for L McKeogh (37), A O'Farrell for E Curtin (48), K O'Sullivan for M Coffee (55).
Cathal Egan (Glen Rovers).
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