Kennedy inspires Sars past the ‘Mines

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Senior Championship Group 1

Silvermines 2-6

Thurles Sarsfields 1-19

Report: Thomas Conway in Dolla

There is evidence to suggest that Silvermines are a coming team, but they were never going to arrive last Saturday in Dolla, not against a Thurles Sarsfields side led and conducted by the power playing virtuoso that is Karen Kennedy.

The two-time Tipperary All-Star produced a second-half masterclass to power Thurles to a convincing victory. But she didn’t do it on her own. Forwards Aoife Dwyer and Andrea Loughnane each delivered scintillating displays up front, knocking over a barrage of expertly curated points and condemning the Mines’ to their second successive defeat in this year’s championship.

And yet, despite the ten-point gulf which ultimately separated these two sides, Silvermines probably departed their home ground wondering what might have been, had they just kept pace with Sarsfields for a little longer.

They made a lightning start, sharpshooter Ellen Cunneen quickly sniping over from 35 metres before her half-forward colleague Elaine Murphy unleashed another from the wing.

There was a sense of purpose to their play, a willingness to take risks and knit together opportunities through short, slick stick-passing and off-the-shoulder movement. Sure enough, the chances came, but too often the Mines’ failed to capitalise. Cunneen herself was culpable on occasion, but to her credit the centre-forward made amends, snatching two first-half goals - the first of them a fortuitous long-range free which dipped and deceived Thurles keeper Katie McCormack; the second an opportunistic ground-strike from close-range in the 24th minute.

Really and truly Cunneen’s second effort should have propelled the Mines’ into the lead, but it didn’t, because just moments before Kennedy had split their defence apart to slot a game-changing 21st minute goal. Always inventive with the ball in hand, she had spent most of her time prior to that commanding the middle third. How and why she then appeared on the far wing, miles from her usual control zone, will remain a mystery, but the centre-back proceeded to snap the ball into hand, cut diagonally in from the side-line, and send a low effort skimming past Aisling Carey into the far corner. Perhaps it was a nod to the next Tipperary manager that, were the need to arise, she could be deployed in a more advanced role.

Anyhow, things remained finely balanced at the break, Thurles leading by one, 1-7 to 2-6, but very much feeling the heat. Most would have predicted them to push on in the second-half, and so it proved. Kennedy’s influence grew.

Silvermines, quite evidently, started to suffer the effects of fatigue and inexperience, particularly at the back. It was therefore no surprise that the Thurles forward line began to fire off all cylinders. Aoife Dwyer was imperturbable from placed-balls, but the story of the second-half, from an attacking perspective, belonged to Andrea Loughnane. The stylish full-forward, who had been virtually anonymous during the first thirty minutes, suddenly sprung to life. She hit five points in total, three of them in quick succession, and then another brace. The pick of bunch came on 45 minutes, when Kennedy rifled a pass along the surface to her. The full-forward controlled the ball expertly, twisted her body, and struck on the swivel, sending Thurles into a seven-point lead.

At the other end all Silvermines could manage was a pair of Elaine Murphy frees. In the final analysis, Mark Gennery, the Silvermines manager, will be disappointed with how his side faded. They now sit bottom of Group 1, while Thurles are perched second with three points from two games. The Mid side may have a say in this championship yet, but in order to challenge or unseat Drom, they will have to reach a far higher gear. It will take more than Kennedy, Dwyer and Loughnane to achieve success, but that trio can certainly lead the way.

Player of the Match: Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields)

Silvermines: Aisling Carey (7), Ciara Grace (6), Miriam Murphy (6), Katie Murphy (6), Neasa Murray (7), Eimear Murphy (7), Anna Stapleton (6), Louise McLoughlin (7), Emer Tuohy (7), Elaine Murphy (0-3, 2f) 8), Ellen Cunneen (2-2, 1-1f) 8), Nicola Butler (7), Sarah Madden (7), Ciara Ryan (0-1, 7), Laura Cunneen (6).

Sub: Joanne O’Brien (6) for Laura Cunneen (HT).

Thurles Sarsfields: Katie McCormack (6), Aoife Butler (7), Niamh McCormack (7), Rebecca O’Mara (7), Aisling Dwyer (7), Karen Kennedy (1-1, 0-1f) 9), Emma Carey (7), Ciara Cummins (0-1, 7), Laura Loughnane (7), Nicola Loughnane (7), Aoife Dwyer (0-10, 7f) 8), Lucy Purcell (7), Sarah Stakelum (0-2, 8), Andrea Loughnane (0-5, 8), Emer Kennedy (7).

Subs: Roisin Bambrick (7) for Corbett (41); Maria Ralph (NR) for Purcell (57).

Referee: Mike Ryan (Nenagh Éire Óg)