Cashel strike late to see off Sarsfields

County Senior Camogie Championship Quarter Final

Cashel King Cormacs1-12

Thurles Sarsfields 0-14

Cashel edged past Thurles Sarsfields in the most competitive County Senior Hurling Championship quarter final of the weekend in Golden on Saturday.

Cashel came into the game as favourites having topped group two. Everyone knew though Sarsfields wouldn’t go down without a fight having beaten Annacarty who had gone on to top group 1. A wild wind blew in Cashel’s favour in the first half in the West Tipp venue but it was Thurles that got off to the perfect start with two points from Roisin Corbett and Ciara Cummins in full flight.

With Cashel’s first attack they won a penalty which Karin Blair stood over but hit the upright but Anna Fahie was quick to react and left keeper Katie McCormack with no chance as she buried it into the top corner.

Cashel continued to covert from frees and had 1-3 on the scoresheet in the first fifteen minutes. Thurles kept in touch and added a further two points which left two between them at the first water break.

Grace Moloney came into her own in the second quarter and took full advantage of the strong wind as she kept supply into Cashel’s full forward line but Aoife Butler and Niamh McCormack were a nightmare for any attack as they continued to stop the Cashel full forward line capitalising.

Half time saw Cashel take a lead of four points but a sense amongst spectators that the margins were closer than the score line implied.

As the second half commenced the wind died down to a light breeze. Sarsfields needed to use their strength to make up for the lack of wind and so they did as Karen Kennedy broke through time and time again from the Sarsfields defence. Thurles looked to free-taker Roisin Corbett to keep the scoreboard moving for the blues and she stood up to the task.

Aoibhe Gayson Molloy gave another inspirational display for Cashel at centre back. Cashel were worried in the second half as Sorcha Ryan went down injured for a number of minutes and Cashel knew they needed their colossal full back if they were to keep the Thurles forwards out from their much-needed goal. A sense of relief amongst the Cashel team and supporters as Sorcha returned to her feet after her injury.

As the last water-break was called, only two points separated the sides and it seemed the momentum was in favour of the Cathedral town as Roisin Corbett slotted over two points to draw the game.

With one minute to go in normal time it was all square and tensions were high. An Aoife O’Brien puckout landed on Grace Moloney who won a free which was delivered into the excellent Anna Fahie who took on her player and pointed her fifth from play for Cashel to win the game.

A sense of disbelief across Golden as within the discretion of the referee no additional time was played and the game ended on the 60th minute with a one-point win for King Cormacs.

A great battle, a great game with the narrowest of margins deciding the winner. Cashel will now face Drom & Inch in the County semi-final.

Player of the Match: Annie Fahie (Cashel King Cormacs)

Cashel King Cormacs: Aoife O’Brien; Ella O’Dwyer, Sorcha Ryan, Meabh Ellie Ryan; Amy Crosse, Aoibhe Gayson Molloy, Laura Connolly; Katelyn Downey, Aine O’Dwyer; Grace Moloney, Nicole Shelly, Karin Blair; Anna Fahie, Ciara Dwan, Lily Fahie.

Thurles Sarsfields: Katie McCormack; Aoife Butler, Niamh McCormack, Sadbh Leahy, Aoife Dwyer, Laura Loughnane, Emma Carey; Ciara Cummins, Karen Kennedy; Andrea Loughnane, Roisin Corbett, Nicola Loughnane; Sarah McKevitt, Sarah Stakelum, Aisling Dwyer.

Referee: Paul Carew (Upperchurch/Drombane)