Drom & Inch goals the difference as Sarsfields effort falls short of the mark in semi-final

FBD Insurance Senior Camogie Championship Semi-Final

Drom & Inch 3-10

Thurles Sarsfields 0-16

Drom & Inch’s bid for a fifth county senior title in a row is still on track after they survived the toughest of tests from an excellent Thurles Sarsfields side on Saturday last. A large attendance gathered at the County Camogie Grounds in anticipation of a great battle and they were treated to an enthralling game that went down to the wire.

Drom & Inch had the first score with a point after three minutes before free-takers Caoimhe Stakelum and Eimear McGrath exchanged points.

The game was played at a ferocious pace, full of physicality, with both sets of players showing huge determination and fighting for every possession.

Tipp minor player Lucy Purcell, despite being named at wing forward, was deployed as a free player in the Thurles defence, where she was very effective in picking up lots of possession. Niamh Treacy was given the task of marking Karen Kennedy and the two had a great battle in the middle of the field.

There were plenty of great duels all over the field and the game was deadlocked at 0-2 each when Eimear McGrath gathered possession 50 metres out from her own goal, went on a powerful solo run and despite being surrounded by three Thurles players struck the ball straight off the hurley and fired her shot to the roof of the net for a wonderful goal.

Moments later Eimear McGrath could have had a second goal but for a brilliant point blank save by Katie McCormack in the Thurles goal.

A pointed free by Eimear McGrath was followed by a point from play by Aoife McGrath to put Drom into a 1-4 to 0-2 lead after 20 minutes. But the next 10 minutes belonged to Thurles, and led by Emma Carey and Laura Loughnane in the half back line they hit four unanswered points in succession; two from Caoimhe Stakelum (one free), a superb effort from Aoife Dwyer and one from Karen Kennedy. This meant at the break only a single point separated the teams, with Drom leading 1-4 to 0-6.

From the restart Thurles continued where they had left off, hitting five points in succession, with Drom looking in real danger. Caoimhe Stakelum began the half at the edge of the square and won the first ball that came her way to fire over the equaliser.

Thurles then pushed four points in front (0-11 to 1-4) thanks to three pointed frees from Caoimhe and a point from midfield from Karen Kennedy.

Drom needed a response and it came in the form of two points in quick succession from Siobhan McGrath, who had a brilliant second half, and Niamh Treacy.

Three minutes later Drom were back in front when a free from distance from Aoife McGrath found its way to the Sarsfields goal having deflected off a defender.

Caoimhe Stakelum tied the game again with a free before a perfectly-timed crossfield ball was met on the bounce by Siobhan McGrath. It was dream connection by McGrath, which gave the Thurles ‘keeper no chance and once again despite all their hard work and great play Sars found themselves trailing.

Again both free takers exchanged frees while substitute Joanne Ryan made a big contribution with two points. Thurles moved Karen Kennedy in full forward midway through the second half, hoping to create a goal opportunity, but with Christina Brennan marking her tightly and Mairead Eviston sitting back in front of her any opportunity was quickly snuffed out.

With time running out Thurles needed a goal to send the game to extra time but credit is due to the Drom defence. They stood firm, with the half back line of Niamh Long, Mairead and Eviston particularly impressive. As the final whistle sounded it was heartbreak for Thurles, while for Drom relief was the most popular feeling as they march on to another county final on Saturday, October 21.

Drom & Inch: Kristina Kenneally; Maria Connolly, Christina Brennan, Eimear Cahill; Niamh Long, Mairead Eviston, Anne Eviston; Caroline Shanahan, Aoife McGrath (1-1); Siobhan McGrath (1-1), Mary Burke, Niamh Treacy (0-2); Miriam Campion (0-1), Eimear McGrath (1-3, 0-3f), Katie O’Dwyer,

Subs used: Joanne Ryan (0-2), Michelle Woodlock, Dee Dunne, Noirin Butler.

Thurles Sarsfields: Katie McCormack; Leanna Coppinger, Emer Kennedy, Rebecca O’Mara; Laura Loughnane, Emma Carey, Robyn Fanning; Karen Kennedy (0-2), Ciara Cummins; Aoife O’Dwyer (0-1), Nicola Loughnane, Lucy Purcell; Sarah Stakelum, Andrea Loughnane, Caoimhe Stakelum (0-13, 0-10f).

Subs used: Anna Derby, Maria Ralph.