Toome show improvement despite defeat to Thurles

Thurles Sarsfields 4-19

Toomevara 4-3

Thurles Sarsfields made it two wins from three in the County Senior Camogie Championship after a sixteen point win over Toomevara in Thurles on Saturday.

Thurles set the tempo early with the first score, a goal from Sarah Stakelum who impressed throughout and finished with 1-2 from play. By the first water-break they led 1-6 to no score.

Huge credit must go to Toomevara who could have easily thrown in the towel at that stage but instead brought a great intensity to their play in the second quarter scoring 3-1 with goals from Mickayla Doran, Eileen Gleeson and Ciara Kenneally.

Toomevara were all of a sudden on top in every position and outworked and out played Thurles. Thurles Sarsfields also had two goals of their own in that period from Nicola Loughnane and the other, a wonder goal from Karen Kennedy who made a blistering solo run from midfield before burying her shot to the top corner.

At half time Thurles led 3-9 to 3-1. In the second half Thurles Sarsfields settled again and dominated the scoring outscoring the visitors 1-10 to 1-2. Again, Toomevara’s attitude and workrate was impressive fighting right to the end for every ball and responding to Nicola Loughnane’s late goal with a goal of their own.

All three of Toome’s points came from Gemma McCarthy while she also added a second half goal. Elsewhere for Toomevara Shauna Quirke was very good in the half backline but Thurles always had too much fire power up front. Sisters Aoife and Ashling Dwyer, who both lined out at wing forward, finished with five points from play between them while Nicola Loughnane topped off a great individual display with two excellent points from way out on the wing late in the second half.

Ciara Cummins and Karen Kennedy formed a brilliant partnership in midfield and were the launching pad for many of the Sars scores. They also welcomed the return of Roisin Corbett from injury who scored a point and was also instrumental in setting up a score. All in all Thurles Sarsfields will be happy with another win. 4-19 was very impressive scoring but equally they will be disappointed with conceding four goals.

Next up for them is a short trip to the Ragg to take on Drom & Inch in the final group game this Saturday.

Player of the Match: Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields)

Thurles Sarsfields: No team provided

Toomevara: Sarah McCarthy, Lauren Ryan, Laura O’Meara, Mary Meagher, Niamh McCormack, Gemma McCarthy (1-3), Shauna Quirke, Mickayla Doran (1-0), Jill Anne Quirke, Mary Flaherty, Caoimhe Cantwell, Eileen Gleeson (1-0), Laoise Cummins, Ciara Kenneally (1-0), Mary O’Brien

Subs: Jennifer Ryan for O’Brien, Laura Bergin for Doran.

Referee: Donal Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy)