Lough Rea Hotel & Spa Senior Camogie Quarter-Final – Friday, 19th October 2018
Sarsfields 3-23 Cappataggle 0-7
Darren Kelly in Duggan Park
Just when their credentials were questioned again, Sarsfields produced another top draw sentencing as they dispatched Cappataggle by 3-23 to 0-7. Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath’s charges were expected to win but a stronger Cappataggle resistance was expected after they qualified from Senior B.
But this game swung on four scoring chances in the first three minutes. Derek Frehill’s team attacked from the throw-in but two early chances went the wrong side of the posts. Sarsfields weren’t as forgiving.
Orlaith McGrath opened before their second attack yielded the first goal. Sinead Cannon started with a pass to Siobhan McGrath. And the Galway forward gained ground before allowing Cora Kenny the shot leading to Sarsfields’ first goal.
Hard luck to our senior camogie team who had a tough night against Sarsfields. They had a great year between camogie and football, and will be in Senior A next year. A year to be proud of
— Cappataggle GAA (@cappataggle) October 19, 2018
The New Inn/Bullaun outfit smelled a win and continued. Kenny, Rachel Murray, Orlaith, Siobhan and Niamh McGrath made it 1-6 to 0-0 before Cappataggle finally got off the mark through two Amy Treacy frees.
However, it was only a temporary reprieve as Cappataggle wouldn’t score again before half-time and Sarsfields added another 1-7. Captain Maria Cooney began with an excellent brace while Siobhan and Niamh McGrath made it 1-10 to 0-2.
But on 24 minutes, Orlaith McGrath scored one of the goals of the year. Taking possession around the 65 metre line, she launched at the Cappataggle defence accelerating with every step before rifling her low shot past Claire Lawlor.
Siobhan McGrath (2) and Cooney made it 2-13 to 0-2 at half-time but within 18 seconds of the restart, Sarsfields had their third goal. Erica Leslie and Orlaith McGrath were involved and Siobhan McGrath hand passed to the net.
Siobhan, Orlaith and Niamh McGrath made it 3-17 to 0-2 before Cappataggle enjoyed their best spell getting four unanswered points through Treacy, Laura Creaven and Cormican (2). The winners replied with six-in-a-row but Cormican had the final say getting Cappataggle’s final point.
Scorers – Sarsfields: Siobhan McGrath 1-6 (one free), Orlaith McGrath 1-5, Cora Kenny 1-3 (one free), Niamh McGrath 0-3, Maria Cooney 0-3, Rachel Murray 0-2, Clodagh McGrath 0-1.
Scorers – Cappataggle: Amy Treacy 0-3 (all frees), Caitriona Cormican 0-3, Laura Creaven 0-1.
Sarsfields: Laura Glynn; Rachel Murphy, Laura Ward, Sinead Cannon; Erica Leslie, Tara Kenny, Kate Gallagher; Clodagh McGrath, Niamh McGrath; Maria Cooney, Orlaith McGrath, Sarah Spellman; Cora Kenny, Siobhan McGrath, Rachel Murray.
Subs used: Klara Donohue for Cooney (HT), Aisling Spellman for T Kenny (35 mins), Sheena Warde for S McGrath (41 mins), Joanne Daly for N McGrath (46 mins).
Cappataggle: Claire Lawlor; Caoimhe Garvey, Aisling Raymond, Niamh Daly; Becky Gilchreest, Caitriona Cormican, Amy Treacy; Aisling Donnellan, Michelle Skehill; Emma Reynolds, Ciara Lohan, Antionette Cormican; Ciara Lenihan, Rachel Byrnes, Laura Creaven.
Subs used: Leah Treacy for Garvey (40 mins), Katie Garvey for Byrnes (52 mins), Therese Garvey for Lohan (52 mins), Avril Lohan for Treacy (57 mins), Megan Monahan for Creaven (57 mins).
Referee: Sean Byrne (Carnmore)
Sarsfields meet Mullagh in the 2018 Lough Rea Hotel & Spa Senior Camogie Semi-Final on Monday, 29th October. Throw-in at St. Brendan’s Park, Loughrea is 3pm.