All Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi final

December 3, 2023

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Sarsfields (Galway) v Sarsfields (Cork)
Date: 2 Dec, 4pm
Venue: Mallow GAA Grounds
Referee: Ray Kelly

FT: Sarsfields Galway 2-10 Sarsfields Cork 1-6

Player of the Match: Siobhan McGrath

Photo credit: INPHO

MATCH REPORT

By Sarah Gaughran (Galway Camogie PRO)
Sarsfields have booked their place in their fifth consecutive All Ireland Club final on Saturday when they overcame Sarsfields of Cork by seven points in the Mallow GAA Complex. A strong second half showing, when Sarsfields hit the back of the net twice, was crucial to the victory as they look to make it three All Ireland Club titles in a row on the 17th of December at 5:15PM against Dickboro of Kilkenny.

It was Sarsfields from Galway who started the brightest with Clodagh McGrath and Klara Donohue opening the scoring for the reigning All Ireland Champions inside the opening minute. Lucy Allen opened Sarsfields from Cork’s account on the 2nd minute when she pointed a 45-meter free. Siobhán McGrath extended their lead on the 4th minute when she popped over a nice point from close range. Allen and McGrath exchanged frees on the 8th and 10th minutes while Rachel Murray scored a fantastic point of the midway point of the half to leave three between the sides. Hollie Herlihy struck one of the points of the game when she pointed from right out on the sideline on the 16th minute. Shannon Corcoran became Sarsfields fifth scorer of the day when she received a great ball from Orlaith McGrath and Corcoran made no mistake in sticking the ball over the bar. Two Allen frees and a point from Orlaith Mullins in the final ten minutes brought Sarsfields of Cork right back into the game but a free from Caoimhe Kelly late on in the half ensured that the champions went in one point in front on a scoreline of Sarsfields Galway 0-7 Sarsfields Cork 0-6.

A massive second half was needed from Sarsfields to ensure they booked their spot back in the All Ireland Final. Sarsfields of Galway started the second half, just the way they started the first. Donohue and Kelly registered their second points of the game to extend Sarsfields lead. Then on the 41st minute, Siobhán McGrath ran through the heart of the Sarsfields (Cork), defence from the 45-meter line and blasted the ball into the back of the net. Sarsfields from Cork responded well however as Claire Mullins supplied substitute Kate Fennessy with a pass and Laura Glynn in the Sarsfields net. This however would be Sarsfields (Cork) final and only score of the half as Sarsfields (Galway) experience began to shine through as they hit 1-1 without reply at the end of the game.

Sarsfields of Cork will feel unlucky at the end of the game as they missed three goal chances that could have gotten them over the line, but they were just not clinical with their finish. Donohue managed to overcome three Sarsfields defenders to blast the ball into the back of the net for their second goal of the day while Corcoran got her second point of the day as Sarsfields from Galway ran out 2-10 to 1-6 winners on the day. Sarsfields of Cork will feel unlucky at the end of the game as they missed three goal chances that could have gotten them over the line, but they were just not clinical with their finish.

Sarsfields have gained so much experience throughout this wonderful journey and their ability to win matches in tough conditions stands to them as they have learned how to grind out victories. When they needed to find a little bit extra in the second half, they were able to bring their game up a notch. Their spread of scorers is also something that stands to them as they had six scorers from play throughout the contest. Their dream of making it three All Ireland titles remains alive as they take on Dickboro on the 17th of December. This will be the first time that many of the Dickboro girls will take to the hollowed turf of Croke Park and Sarsfields experience of the big occasion should stand to them.

Scorers for Sarsfields Galway: K Donoghue, S McGrath 1-2 (0-1 f) each, S Corcoran, C Kelly 0-2 each, Clodagh McGrath, R Murray 0-1 each
Scorers for Sarsfields Cork: L Allen 0-4 (0-2 f, 0-2 45), K Fennessy 1-0, H Herlihy, O Mullins 0-1 each.

SARSFIELDS GALWAY: L Glynn; R Kelly, L Ward, K Gallagher; T Kenny, M Cooney, J Daly; C McGrath, S Spellman; K Donohue, O McGrath, R Murray; S Corcoran, S McGrath, C Kelly.
Subs: C Kenny for C Kelly (55), Ciara McGrath for L Ward (inj 59), C Cahalan for R Murray (61).

SARSFIELDS CORK: M Lynch; L Dunlea, E Murphy, L Kelly; N O’Callaghan, C Lynch, O McAllen; A Fitzgerald, E Twomey; O Mullins, L Allen, H Herlihy; C Mullins, E Woods, K Sheehan.
Subs: R Roche for L Kelly (blood sub-21-24m), K Fennessy for E Woods (36), R Roche for C Lynch (45), M McCarthy for K Sheehan (51), C O’Donovan for H Herlihy (54).

ADDITIONAL: