Sarsfields 1-18 Killeagh 1-3
Sarsfields got their SE Systems Cork Senior Camogie Championship campaign off to a winning start at Castle Road on Thursday night.
Sars lost out to St Finbarr’s in the final last year, and on this performance will be one of the teams to beat again this season, as they have talented players all over the pitch.
Defensively, they are very strong with Sinead Hurley, Olivia McAllen, and Katie Barry impressing.
Rachael Roche is a dynamic midfielder and is not afraid to get stuck in.
Up front, when you have players like Orlaith and Clare Mullins, Lucy Allen and Kate Fennessy, then you have the talent to cause any defence problems.
Killeagh will have been disappointed with their showing on the night, but they weren’t helped when Laura Treacy had to go off injured in the second half.
Tara Elliott, Sarsfields, looking to block the breaking Laura Treacy of Killeagh. Picture: Dan Linehan
Sars got off to the better start when Orlaith Mullins opened the scoring after eight minutes.
Fennessy added a second from a free, and she was on target again to put them 0-3 to no score in front.
Olivia McAllen, Sarsfields, going past Killeagh players Orlaith Murphy and Aoife O’Regan. Picture: Dan Linehan
But a great run from Treacy set up Hannah Looney to goal, to see the sides level after 14 minutes, 1-0 to 0-3. Orlaith Mullins put her side back in front from the restart, and Hollie Herlihy extended their lead.
Orlaith looked like she was going to find the back of the net, but Chloe Lane saved superbly to deny her, with Fennessy pointing the resulting 45.
Chloe Sigerson pulled a point back for Killeagh, with Herlihy getting the last score of the half to see Sars lead by 0-7 to 1-1 at half time.
Another Fennessy free extended Sars lead, before Sigerson hit back with a free for Killeagh after 38 minutes.
This proved to be their last score until injury time as Sars hit 1-9 without reply. Another Fennessy free, followed by a point from Roche, made it 0-10 to 1-2.
Lucy Allen added another before they got their goal. The Mullins sisters combined to see Orlaith score to make it 1-11 to 1-2.
They kept the scoreboard ticking over with Fennessy and Orlaith Mullins adding points. Mullins added another, before two from Roche had them well ahead with time running out, as they led by 1-16 to 1-2. Allen was on target again, before Aoife O’Regan pointed for Killeagh.
Fennessy got the last score of the game to see Sars run out comprehensive winners and get their campaign off to a deserved winning start.
Scorers for Sarsfields: O Mullins 1-4, K Fennessy 0-7 (0-6 f, 0-1 45), R Roche 0-3, H Herlihy, L Allen 0-2 each.
Killeagh: H Looney 1-0, C Sigerson 0-2 f, A O’Regan 0-1.
SARSFIELDS: M Lynch; C Lynch, S Hurley, L Dunlea; T Elliott, O McAllen, K Barry; R Roche, C O’Donovan; L Allen, H Herlihy, O Mullins; C Mullins, M McCarthy, K Fennessy.
KILLEAGH: C Lane; A Kelly Budds, C Barry, A Ashman; E Brenner, L Treacy, S Kent; N Ni Chaoimh, R Sheehan; S Beausang, C Sigerson, A Brenner; A O’Regan, H Looney, O Murphy.
Subs: T Holland for R Sheehan (h-t), M O’Donovan for L Treacy (inj 43), E Barry for A Brenner (43).
Referee: John Horgan (Inniscarra).