Kennedy goal sees Sars into first final

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Championship Semi-Final

Thurles Sarsfields 1-17

Cashel KC 0-18

(after extra time)

Report: Joe Scully at the Camogie Grounds, The Ragg

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Lucy Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields).

SCORERS – Thurles Sarsfields: Caoimhe Stakelum 0-8 (6 free); Karen Kennedy 1-1; Lucy Purcell 0-3; Andrea Loughnane 0-2; Aoife Dwyer, Sarah Stakelum, Roisin Corbett 0-1 each.

Cashel King Cormacs: Philly Fogarty 0-7 (6 frees); Karin Blair 0-5; Grace Moloney 0-3; Anna Fahie, Caoimhe Perdue, Hannah Butler 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields qualified for their first ever County Senior Camogie final, coming through a titanic battle against Cashel King Cormacs, in a game which needed extra time to separate the sides in Saturday’s second semi-final.

On more than one occasion, favourites Thurles looked to be in serious trouble, including in added time at the end of normal time when trailing by two points but two frees in by Caoimhe Stakelum, the second in the 65th minute forced extra time.

They also looked in trouble in the second period of extra time also when trailing by two points until Karen Kennedy stood up to the mark in the second minute of the second period by goaling after running half the length of the field and finishing emphatically to the net.

Thurles would add two more points to turn the game on its head and leave Cashel heartbroken as they were excellent throughout, putting in an excellent defensive performance but the class of Karen Kennedy proved the major difference in the end.

Thurles were first off the mark after just 23 seconds when Andrea Loughnane pointed after being set-up by Karen Kennedy. The Kings responded by hitting two points, both from play from Grace Moloney and Philly Fogarty, before Caoimhe Stakelum levelled from a 45.

The sides would trade the next four scores with Karin Blair, who was immense all game, putting Cashel ahead before Aoife Dwyer levelled, only for Caoimhe Perdue to put Cashel back in front before Sarah Stakelum equalised again with a superb score.

Philly Fogarty then had Cashel back ahead again in the 21st minute from a free but two minutes later, Karen Kennedy had an effort for goal blocked for a 45, which Caoimhe Stakelum to level at 0-5 apiece.

Lucy Purcell then put Thurles ahead after Ciara Cummins set her up, but it was Cashel who finished the half the strongest, hitting the final three scores, all from play through Anna Fahie, Karin Blair, and Hannah Butler to lead 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.

The second half took a while to get going, but Thurles will be wondering how they didn’t goal in the 35th minute following another strong Karen Kennedy run set up Sarah Stakelum whose shot was blocked, while Caoimhe Stakelum also had her effort blocked, and following a scramble, Aoife Dwyer’s effort went wide.

Following this, Thurles lost Sarah Stakelum to injury and the game was stopped for several minutes. The first score of the half wouldn’t come till the 40th minute when Caoimhe Stakelum pointed a free.

Philly Fogarty had the gap back to two three minutes later with a free with Andrea Loughnane was next on the scoreboard with an effort from play in the 46th minute. Karin Blair hit her third point in the 51st minute with another great finish to leave it 0-10 to 0-8.

The gap was out to three in the 53rd minute through another Fogarty free as Cashel looked to be on the verge of victory but Thurles had the gap back to two in the 55th minute when Karen Kennedy pointed.

The game was really in the melting pot as it entered the closing minutes, with both sides really throwing everything at it, and as the game entered added time it looked like Cashel were going to hold out as their defence was playing brilliantly, but Stakelum’s two late frees forced extra time.

The additional period got off to a flyer when after eighteen seconds Lucy Purcell put Thurles ahead, after a good team move. Cashel responded strongly and were ahead in the third minute after scores from Blair and Fogarty. Stakelum and Fogarty then exchanged frees, before Blair once again hit a wonder score to put Cashel 0-15 to 0-13 ahead at half time.

Roisin Corbett and Grace Moloney exchanged scores at the start of the second period, before the games crucial moments came when first Kennedy goaled, and from the resultant puckout, Caoimhe Stakelum pointed and from the next restart, Thurles added another score through Lucy Purcell to lead by three.

Cashel responded with two points from Philly Fogarty and Caoimhe Perdue to leave just a point in it with a minute left, but it was Caoimhe Stakelum who had the final say in added time with a point from play to put her side into the county final.

Best for Thurles Sarsfields were Emma Carey, Laura Loughnane, Lucy Purcell, and Sarah Stakelum, although the latter was forced off in the second half with a nasty looking injury. While for Cashel, Sorcha Ryan, Grace Moloney, Philly Fogarty, and Karin Blair shone.

TEAMS – Thurles Sarsfields: Siobhan Hennessy (6); Aoife Butler (7), Emer Kennedy (7), Leanna Coppinger (8); Laura Loughnane (9), Emma Carey (8), Robyn Fanning (6); Ciara Cumins (7), Karen Kennedy (7); Aoife Dwyer (6), Lucy Purcell (9), Nicola Loughnane (6); Sarah Stakelum (8), Andrea Loughnane (7), Caoimhe Stakelum (7).

Subs: Roisin Corbett (7) for S Stakelum (38 inj), Rebecca O’Mara (7) for Fanning (42); Kate Stakelum (6) for N Loughnane (14 ET).

Cashel King Cormacs: Aoife O’Brien (6); Laura Connolly (7), Katelyn Downey (7), Ella O’Dwyer (7); Lily Fahie (7), Sorcha Ryan (9), Emer Dwan (6); Karin Blair (9), Una O’Dwyer (7); Grace Moloney (6), Ciara Dwan (6), Anna Fahie (6); Caoimhe Perdue (7), Philly Fogarty (8), Hannah Butler (6).

Subs: Áine O’Dwyer (7) for Dwan (HT); Nicole Shelly (6) for Butler (51 inj); Amy Crosse (6) for Connolly (58); Meadbh Elle Ryan (6) for L Fahie (60+3); Lily Fahie for Ryan (19 ET).

Referee: Pat Murray (Moneygall).