Barrs in search of Munster glory

Today St Finbarr’s senior camogie side make the journey to FBD Semple Stadium as they take on De La Salle from Waterford in the AIB Munster senior camogie championship final.

Throw-in is at 1pm for what should be another close game between two top-class sides.

The Barrs retained their Cork title some time ago, before getting the better of Newcastle West in the Munster semi-final, in a game that was full of drama right to the final whistle.

It took 90 minutes to separate the sides before the Togher outfit advanced to today’s decider.

That battle with the Limerick champions will stand to them as they take on a De La Salle team full of Waterford inter-county stars.

Beth Carton will be the name that will come to most people’s minds first, but you can add in others, like Brianna O’Regan, Allannah McNulty, Keeley Corbett Barry, Maggie Gostl, Abby Flynn, and Alex Healy, to name a few.

All were part of the Waterford side that ran Cork close in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland semi-final for long periods, before the Rebels pulled away to win.

Add in John Mullane as one of their selectors and you see the class of the side the Barrs are up against.

On the opposite side, the Barrs can call on plenty stars of their own, led by the likes of Sorcha McCartan, Kate Wall, and Orlaith Cahalane in attack.

Defensively, Meabh and Grainne Cahalane, along with Aoife O’Neill and Aisling Egan, will all play their part. Lining out at corner-back will be their captain, Stephanie Punch, another to never let them down.

Hoping to mastermind a Munster championship win is manager Brian O’Sullivan, who says it’s a great day for all involved.

“It’s great, it’s great for the club and particularly great for the players and the camogie section. It’s something we’re really looking forward to, especially with it being played at Semple Stadium,” said O’Sullivan.

“It’s a venue they deserve to be honest to showcase their skills, so it’s fantastic.”

O’Sullivan feels that the Newcastle West semi-final, where it took two periods of extra-time to separate the sides, will stand to his side today.

“We always knew we were going to be up against it taking on Newcastle West. They’re a really strong side and I think they have won three-in-a-row in Limerick. It was a really tough battle, and there were a lot of sore bodies after the game.

“That was a good test, and particularly in those conditions as well (rain and windy). We haven’t played in conditions like that in a while, so just to get over the line was great really.

“I think, at 61 minutes we were six points up, and you’re like, ‘we’re nearly there’, and credit to Newcastle West, they came back to take it to extra- time.

“But credit our players, they showed great resilience after those blows to come back and win it. It shows the strength of their character and mental strength. They never feel that type of pressure, and they just keep going at it, and they got their just rewards.”

Looking at De La Salle, O’Sullivan knows who they can all on, and says they have prepared as best they can.

“We just prepare the right way for ourselves, and we’ll have a look at a few things. I think there’s only six or seven teams left in the country, at his stage, in competitions like this, so you’re going to be playing a top side no matter who you are up against at this stage.

“De La Salle had a great win over Thurles Sarsfields, they really pulled away in the second-half, so we know what we are up against.

“We’re looking forward to it, really, if you said to the girls or management at the start of the year you’d be in the Munster final, you’d be thrilled. We’re there now and hopefully can do the business.”