SARSFIEDS WILL FACE new opposition when they bid for a third consecutive All-Ireland senior club camogie title and fourth in five seasons in a fortnight.
The Galwegians booked a fifth straight final appearance with victory over their Cork namesakes, while Kilkenny’s Dicksboro got the better of last year’s runners-up Loughgiel Shamrocks from Antrim to secure their first appearance in the season-ender.
The game will take place at Croke Park on 17 December as part of a double-header with the intermediate final, which will be contested by the rollercoaster-riding Meath champions Na Fianna and the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Clanmaurice (Kerry) and Shamrocks (Galway).
The ‘Boro were the first to book their spot in the senior blue riband at Donaghmore Ashbourne thanks in large part to two second-half goals from emerging county attacker, Asha McHardy.
Amy Clifford got them off the mark from the throw-in and further scores from Aoife Prendergast (45) and Rachel Dowling had them two ahead after just three minutes.
They were rocked on their heels by a fifth minute goal from Caitrin Dobbin however, and though Prendergast levelled from a free, it was the Antrim girls champions that had the wind in their sails. Points from Róisín McCormick, either side of a neat score from Dobbin opened up a three-point gap.
Dowling and Prendergast did split the posts for Dicksboro but the Shamrocks continued to threaten and points from McCormick, Dobbin (an excellent effort on the run) and Annie Lynn gave them a 1-8 to 0-6 lead at half-time.
They only scored two points in the second half, however. In contrast, Donal Carroll and his players made good use of the break and were the better team after the resumption, buoyed by another fast start, this time with a 32nd minute goal from McHardy. They were soon level, as McHardy and Prendergast split the posts.
It was fiercely fought thereafter, with points from Jenny Clifford and Kilkenny’s former All-Ireland winning captain Prendergast edging Dicksboro two ahead before McHardy removed all doubt with her second goal in injury time, the Noresiders eventually prevailing by 2-13 to 1-10.
It must have been a nightmare for commentators with the unusual situation of two teams with the same names going toe-to-toe but that was what unfolded at Mallow.
It was the experience of the westerners that prevailed though the Rebel representatives certainly provided a stern examination of their vaunted opponents’ credentials before yielding by 2-10 to 1-6.
It was the Galway side’s first game since the county final six weeks ago but they flew out of the traps to lead by three points at the end of the opening quarter, as the brilliant Clara Donohue, Clodagh McGrath, Siobhán McGrath and Rachel Murray raised white flags.
With Ava Fitzgerald excelling at midfield, the Cork crew got back into it, Lucy Allen converting bringing her tally to four from placed balls and Holly Herlihy also hitting the target to leave it 0-7 to 0-6 at the change of ends.
A brilliant 42nd minute goal from Siobhán McGrath looked to have sealed things for the girls in green but by now, their gritty rivals had introduced Kate Fennessy, who had been their leading scorer in the Munster final but had been forced by illness to sit it out from the start.
Fennessy finished a great move involving Oliva McAllen, Evie Twomey and Clare Mullins to put the game back in the melting pot with a smart finish for a goal but then Donohoe took a pass from Murray to raise another green flag at the other end.
Tara Kenny and Maria Cooney stood out in a strong defensive effort by titleholders but they did give up three good goal chances nonetheless, any of which might have made it tricky down the stretch if ending in a rattled net.
Na Fianna had to dig very deep to chisel out a 1-9 to 0-9 victory over Tyrone side, Eglish.
A first-half goal from Kerrie Cole gave them a 1-5 to 0-5 advantage at the short whistle and it remained the difference in the end, though Cole and Aoife Carey slotted vital points as well.
The junior B final will be between Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) and St Munna’s (Westmeath) at NGDC Abbotstown on December 16. Cross were far too strong for Roscommon Gaels in their semi-final, leading by 3-7 to 0-2 at half-time before cruising to a 7-12 to 1-3 success.
The Saints also had too much firepower for their opposition, having a 3-6 to 0-1 interval advantage over British champions Croydon and converting that to a 3-16 to 0-2 triumph.
The penultimate rounds of the junior championship take place tomorrow, as the 2022 runners-up Knockananna (Wicklow) cross swords with Granemore (Armagh), while Athleague (Roscommon) do battle with St Joseph’s Doora Barefield (Clare).
Meanwhile, Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins scored a dramatic 1-10 to 1-8 victory over Steelstown in the All-Ireland intermediate club football championship semi-final.
O’Donovan Rossa reached the All-
Loves Mind games this fella. Hope we batter them, because behind the mind games is a bitter coach who is under massive pressure.
@Gary O’Rourke: is he under massive pressure? Seems English RFU have accepted that 6 nations results can suffer provided World Cup performance is there. He’s already made one WC final (playing ridiculously well). He isn’t going to be sacked even if they finish bottom half again this year. Also he’s made huge money and his record means he’ll get another job easy if England do let him go.
On top of that – what he is saying is correct rather than mind games. We are favourites!
@Augustus hoop: Accept for the fact they have gone considerably downhill since he took over in late 15 from Lancaster who let’s be honest built an unbelievable setup. Let’s see how they get on in the next world cup.
@Ron: they made the World Cup final – completely outplaying New Zealand in the semi – I wouldn’t consider that to be ‘downhill’ from not getting out of the group in 2015!!!? It was a full 4 years after Lancaster had moved on. I think it’s a stretch to be giving Lancaster more credit for it than jones.
I dont particularly like how the man goes on, but his record of repeatedly managing/coaching teams that peak for world cups and perform better – not just results also performance (Australia, Japan, England and even s Africa when he was no2) – is surely no open to debate!!!?
@Augustus hoop: they made the world cup final 3 years ago in fairness and the lack of expansive rugby they have played since compared to Lancaster era and just after is clear to see. Agree that WC didn’t work out for Lancaster but by the time he left Eng were one the best teams imo. You could see how dangerous they were getting. Also going from 2020 to now it’s clearly a downward trajectory and you can see he knows it. I didn’t question his past coaching achievements.
@Gary O’Rourke:
Such a soccer manager! The game should be played on the field, not in the media!
Any compliment from him feels backhanded somehow. Waiting for the other shoe to drop
@G: His compliments have T’s & C’s.
We’ll have to be extra vigilant then Eddie, won’t we!
It will be tough and England will have worked out every weakness in our play. I hope it’s a great game. C’mon Ireland!
They will target us at the breakdown. They way to beat Ireland us to slow down our ball hence the Underhill inclusion. He is a breakdown specialist. It will be interesting to see how Farrell can counter this.
According to Eddie have England been favourites for any game in this 6 nations yet?
This guy…sly as they come…thinks he is anyway!
Can’t stomach that Jones fella he’s some spiteful ballix who just trys his best to wind up the opposition coaches and players. He has a serious chip on his shoulder with the Irish lads especially. Hope we batter them
In fairness Ireland probably are slight favourites. As someone else said England will target us at the breakdown. The best way to stop us playing is to target us there. But they’ll need to do a much better job than they did last year. I fancy an Ireland win by 10.
Soft talk from Eddie once again.
Probably his Last Game in Charge Won’t be Missed
@pat seery: can only hope….
No matter what this fella says it calculated for his own interests. Basically he’s saying they’re good why wouldn’t they be, sure they play together week in week out. Always a bitter narrative with him never take him a face value awful bitter.
He’s playing games again.
For once he seems to have told the truth. Yes, there are always mind games at play with him, but Ireland are and should deservedly be favourites and so what if he says so?! It is also true that his team is a work in progress. That’s obvious. Now all we have to do is prove him right! Wouldn’t that be nice?!
Eddie in wrong sport..should be in boxing with all his pre match mind games and fighting talk….