Sarsfields forwards continue to purr
CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Quarter Final
Thurles Sarsfields 3-30
Knockavilla-D Kickhams 1-6
Thurles Sarsfields continued their impressive run in the County Senior Camogie Championship by easily accounting for Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams in Bohernanave on Saturday evening.
Knockavilla came into the game with the momentum of beating Burgess/Duharra in their final group game to qualify while Sarsfields had convincingly won all their group games. It was time for knock-out camogie and there was no more second chances.
Thurles Sarsfields got off to a great start with an opening score from Caoimhe Stakelum, but Kickhams were adamant they were there to compete, and Ellen Browne gave Sarsfields keeper no chance as she hit a rasper into the back of the net.
Sarsfields found themselves behind and Knockavilla brought great strength and physicality early on. Star forward Eimear Heffernan confidently struck points in the opening fifteen minutes from both frees and play, and Sarsfields looked to Caoimhe Stakelum, Lucy Purcell and Karen Kennedy to keep the blues scoreboard ticking over.
Millie Kelly worked extremely hard for the West women, as did Ereena Fryday and Caoimhe McCarthy who took the task of marking the town sides midfield duo of Ciara Cummins and Karen Kennedy.
Sarah Stakelum and Andrea Loughnane both struck points from play in the final five minutes of the first half while Nicola Loughnane was powerful in attack for the Sars who pulled clear at the break with a ten point lead, but many were mindful that the home side had the benefit of a strong wind in the opening half.
Unfortunately for Knockavilla, Sarsfields started where they left off with points from Nicola Loughnane, Aoife Dwyer, and Andrea Loughnane. Sarsfields scored three successive goals within five minutes coming from Kennedy, Stakelum, and Purcell.
Emma Carey kept the Sarsfields back line steady with first cousin Emer Kennedy holding strong at full back. The favourites secured a comfortable victory, but Knockavilla showed great spirit and have a young team with great potential.
Thurles Sarsfields will now play Cashel King Cormacs in the county semi-final on Saturday week.
Player of the Match: Nicola Loughnane (Thurles Sarsfields)
Thurles Sarsfields: Siobhan Hennessy (7); Aoife Butler (7), Emer Kennedy (7), Leanna Coppinger (6); Laura Loughnane (7), Emma Carey (8), Robyn Fanning (6); Ciara Cummins (8), Karen Kennedy (1-2, 8); Aoife Dwyer (0-2, 7), Lucy Purcell (1-3, 8), Nicola Loughnane (0-1, 8); Sarah Stakelum (0-2, 7), Andrea Loughnane (0-4, 7), Caoimhe Stakelum (1-16, 0-13f, 8).
Subs: Rebecca O’Mara (6) for Fanning (42); Ella Moloney (6) for Cummins (51); Kate Stakelum for N Loughnane (53); Anna Derby (NR) for L Loughnane (55); Maria Ralph (NR) for S Stakelum (55).
Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams: Sheena Ryan (7); Emma Ryan (7), Sarah Mae Crosse (6), Saoirse O’Dwyer (6); Sarah Ryan (6), Caoimhe McCormack (7), Sinead Furlong (6); Caoimhe McCarthy (8), Ereena Fryday (6); Millie Kelly (8), Nimah Slattery (6), Emma O’Mara (0-1, 7); Eimear Heffernan (0-5, 2f, 8), Ellen Browne (1-0, 8), Emma Daly (6).
Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy).