Cork Camogie: Anna Foley goal and Lisa O'Riordan penalty save key as Aghabullogue stun Sars
Aghabullogue goalkeeper Lisa O'Riordan under pressure from Sally Barry, Sarsfields, in the SE Systems Cork County Senior Camogie Championship game at Castle Road. Picture: Larry Cummins
A massive win for Aghabullogue as they got the better of Sarsfields in their SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship clash at Castle Road on Tuesday evening.
Sars would have been favourites here, but huge credit to Aghabullogue who battled from start to finish and were deserving winners on the night
This was an impressive team performance, built on a solid defence led by Katie McCarthy. Up front Ciara McCarthy led the line, ably helped by the likes of Anna Foley and Cliona Healy. Special mention must be made of their keeper Lisa O’Riordan, who saved a Molly Lynch penalty in the second half, never an easy thing to do.
The weather played its part in this tie with the rain making it difficult for both sides to gain decent possession.
Aghabullogue started the brighter of the two sides and they were first to score when Ciara McCarthy pointed after three minutes.
A great ball from Anna Foley set up McCarthy for her second point as Aghabullogue led by 0-2 to no score after five minutes.
It took 12 minutes for Sars to get off the mark when a good move, involving Rachel Roche and Lucy Allen set up their Cork star Orlaith Mullins to score.
Four minutes later and Roche had the sides level, 0-2 each, when she pointed from distance.
Sars took the lead for the first time when Kate Fennessy pointed from a free, to make it 0-3 to 0-2 in their favour after 21 minutes.
Three minutes later and a defensive mix-up nearly let Sars in for a goal, but O’Riordan was quickly off her line to quell the danger and keep only one between them.
Just before half-time Lexi Manley had the sides level, the Aghabullogue corner-forward on target from a tight angle.
Her leveller showed why she was part of the Cork minor team and named on the minor team of the All-Ireland championship earlier in the year.
Both sides failed to add to their tally, to see it level at the break, 0-3 each.
The winners started the second half brightly and got the perfect start when Anna Foley found the back of the net after 32 minutes.
Ciara McCarthy added a point before Mullins pointed for Sars. Fennessy, from a 45, and Cliona Lynch from a free, scored for Sars, to make it 1-4 to 0-6 after 38 minutes.
Aghabullogue hit back with Julie Tarrant on target, followed by a 45 and a free from Healy, to make it 1-7 to 0-6 after 59 minutes.
In the final minute, Roche was fouled and Molly Lynch came forward to take the penalty, but O’Riordan denied her as she put the ball out for a 45. Cliona Lynch scored the 45 and added a point from a free, but Healy got the final score to see Aghabullogue run out deserving winners on the night.
A Foley 1-0, C Healy (0-2 f, 0-1 45), C McCarthy 0-3 each, L Manley, J Tarrant 0-1 each.
C Lynch (0-2 f, 0-1 45) 0-3, O Mullins, K Fennessy 0-2 each, R Roche 0-1.
L O’Riordan; E Barrett, M McCarthy, E O’Shea; A Barrett, K McCarthy, E Buckley; M Ring, E Duff; C McCarthy, J Tarrant, L O’Shea; A Foley, C Healy, L Manley.
O Cahill for L Manley (48), R Bowen for J Tarrant (54).
M Lynch; E Murphy, K Barry, E Casey; C O’Donovan, L Dunlea, A Fitzgerald; R Roche, C Lynch; L Allen, S Barry, O McAllen; K Fennessy, O Mullins, M McCarthy.
L Kelly for S Barry (40), H Herlihy for M McCarthy (54).
Niall O’Neill, Midleton.
App?
