Weekend Round-up 23-24 Oct

October 24, 2022

Windows & Rooflighting LTD Senior Club Championship – Semi finals

Senior A:

Athenry 0-12 Sarsfields 0-15
Date: 23 Oct, 3pm
Venue: Duggan Park
Ref: Enda Loughnane

DOWNLOAD: Match program (pdf)

Match Report

By Sarah Gaughran
Sarsfields overcame Athenry in the second of the Window and Rooflights LTD Senior A Championship semi finals to book their place back in the County Final. Sarsfields strong first half performance helped them in booking their place in the final, but Athenry really put it up to them especially in the last 15 minutes when Sarsfields failed to score.

Niamh McGrath opened the scoring with two points, one from a free, for Sarsfields in the opening 2 minutes. Sabina Rabbitte opened Athenry’s accounts with two frees but Siobhan McGrath matched her with 2 frees also to leave it 0-4 to 0-2 in favour of Sarsfields in the opening 11 minutes. Eimear Keane responded with a well taken point from play but Siobhan McGrath hit three more points, one through a free to give Sarsfields a four point lead. Rabbitte responded for Athenry but Sarsfields were on fire up front with three more Siobhan McGrath points, two through frees and a Shannon Corcoran point to leave it Sarsfields 0-11 Athenry 0-4 heading into the break. Cora Kenny did have a goal opportunity right near the end of the half but Laura Freaney pulled off a fantastic save in the Athenry net.

Rabbitte and Siobhan McGrath swapped scored in the opening 5 minutes of the second half. While Rabbitte added two more points for Athenry on the 37 th and 39 th minutes to leave 6 between the teams. Siobhan McGrath added two more points to her tally for the day while Kenny also added to Sarsfields tally on the 45th minute to leave Sarsfields with a 8 point advantage going into the final quarter. Athenry’s never say die attitude must be credited as they shot the next 5 points without reply through Rabbitte (3 frees), Olwen Rabbitte and Noreen Coen but it was too little to late as Sarsfields ran out 0-15 to 0-12 winners on the day. Sarsfields will be concerned however as their centre half back Maria Cooney did go off with an ankle injury in the final few minutes of the game.

Sarsfields have booked their place in their 7th consecutive final where they will face Oranmore-Maree in a repeat of the 2021 County Final. Athenry should be happy with their performance. They were unlucky with two goal chances and must be credited for their determination in the final quarter. Sarsfields will be looking to make it four county titles in a row on the weekend of the 5th of November. They will be happy with their strong first half performance that laid the marker for their victory and they will be delighted that their journey in the 2022 championship will continue on.

ADDITIONAL