Bitter disappointment for Burgess/Duharra in All Ireland Semi-Final
By Daragh Ó Conchúir
Burgess/Duharra's dreams of reaching an All Ireland Senior Club Camogie Championship were quashed in Banagher on Sunday as they were edged out 0-10 to 0-9 by Sarsfields of Galway in the semi-final
Sarsfields will hope to make it second time lucky in the All-Ireland Final after their narrow win in a tight-fought affair in which scores from play came at an absolute premium.
The teams were level at half time on 0-5 apiece and all those scores came from placed balls. Niamh McGrath had two within three minutes for Sarsfields but Burgess took over and scored the next five on the trot via the stick of Jenny Grace. Two points from Niamh McGrath and another from her sister Siobhán restored parity at the break.
Siobhán McGrath hit the first score from play three minutes after the restart and added a free, while Grace landed two frees for Burgess but two brilliant points from play by Siobhán McGrath edged the victors clear.
Burgess were not without their goal chances and Laura Ward saved a penalty from Jenny Grace, while it took some last-ditch defending to keep them out on a couple of other occasions. Tara Kennedy hit their first score from play in the 59th minute but they could not peg Sarsfields back.
More in this weeks Nenagh Guardian
Champions Slaughtneil are back in the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie Final but not for the first time in the past two campaigns, the Derry girls had to do it the hard way, needing extra time before getting the better of Kilkenny side Thomastown by 0-14 to 0-11 at Inniskeen Grattans.