Sarsfields record impressive win in Clonoulty
Saturday evening saw the much-anticipated clash of 2023 county finalists Clonoulty/Rossmore and a Thurles Sarsfields side that impressed in reaching the semi-finals last year.
CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Group 1 Round 1
Clonoulty/Rossmore 2-11
Thurles Sarsfields 1-19
Clonoulty had home advantage and eager to get their 2024 campaign off to a good start as they set their sights once again on the Bernie O'Dowd Cup and that they did with the opening score coming from the West women.
Caoimhe Stakelum responded a minute later to settle the Sarsfields team who looked nervous in the opening stages.
The home side looked to have the better of the Sarsfields back line in the first fifteen minutes with the reliable Eimear Bourke, Cait Devane and Cora Hennessy all dangerous in attack.
Sarsfields looked once again to county minor Caoimhe Stakelum as she pointed from play to put her side in the lead mid-way through the half. From here, Sars pushed on, winning a penalty which could have increased their lead further, but Stakelum elected to point the opportunity.
However, soon after Tipperary and Thurles captain Karen Kennedy rattled the Clonoulty net as the visitors secured a comfortable lead of 1-11 to 0-5 at half time.
Sarah Fryday, Casey Hennessy and Courtney Ryan came out in the second half to right the wrongs of the first half for Clonoulty, but it was not made easy with a fine display from Lucy Purcell at centre forward for Thurles as she scored four long range points from play.
Fryday took her opportunities when they arose and scored a great goal to bring Clonoulty back into the game.
Sarsfields remained calm and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with points from Kennedy, Stakelum, Cummins and Purcell.
Clonoulty’s Cait Devane put the ball past Sarsfields keeper one final time on 58 minutes, but Sarsfields had created enough of a lead to come away with a five-point win.
Clonoulty will look forward to their bye weekend to regroup while Sarsfields will face Shannon Rovers at home on Saturday in the second round.
Player of the Match: Caoimhe Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields)
Clonoulty/Rossmore: Teresa Burke (7); Lorna Ryan (5), Clodagh Quirke (7), Moira Kinane (7); Courtney Ryan (6), Eimear Loughman (6), Aoife Bourke (7); Bernadette Ryan (6), Kelly Quirke (6), Casey Hennessy (0-1, 7), Cora Hennessy (0-1, 6), Cait Devane (1-6, 0-5f, 7), Sarah Fryday (1-1, 7), Eimear Bourke (0-1, 6), Kate Ferncombe (6).
Subs: Sinead Ryan (6) for L Ryan; Avril Quirke (6) for Cora Hennessy; Sophie Maher (0-1, 7) for K Quirke; Katie Murphy (6) for B Ryan.
Thurles Sarsfields: Siobhan Hennessy (6); Leanna Coppinger (7), Emer Kennedy (7), Aoife Butler (6); Laura Loughnane (7), Emma Carey (8), Rebecca O'Mara (8); Ciara Cummins (0-1, 7), Robyn Fanning (6), Nicola Loughnane (6), Lucy Purcell (0-4, 8), Karen Kennedy (1-2, 8), Sarah Stakelum (6), Andrea Loughnane (6), Caoimhe Stakelum (0-12, 5f, 9).
Subs: Ella Moloney (6) for N Loughnane, Maria Ralph (6) for S Stakelum.
Referee: TP Sullivan (Nenagh Eire Og)