ROUND-UP: Wins for Sarsfields, Annacarty, and Burgess Duharra in camogie championship

SENIOR

Having had a bye in the first round Thurles Sarsfields travelled to Dolla Sunday afternoon to play Silvermines, who already had one win under their belt. Sarsfields opened the scoring but their following five attempts went to the left and right of the target.

Ellen Cunneen kept the mines in touching distance as she was clinical on frees. Bríd Quinn controlled the back line and made hard work for the Sarsfields forward line. Tipperary and Sarsfields captain Karen Kennedy finished the game with four points from play, but it was cornerback Rebecca O’Mara who consistently came out of the defence to set up the Sarsfields attack that impressed all in Dolla.

Sarsfields came out on top with a scoreline of 2-17 to 1-14. Burgess Duharra bounced back from their opening-round defeat to record a comprehensive win over Nenagh Eire Og on a final scoreline of 3-21 to 0-8 points.

Caoimhe Maher, Laura Reid and Kaitlin O’Halloran all raised a green flag while Jenny Grace also excelled throughout the hour. Éire Óg Annacarty were full value for their four-point victory over Cashel King Cormacs in Leahy Park on Sunday afternoon.
For Annacarty Eva O’Dwyer finished with seven points, four from frees while Leah Heffernan got the crucial goal in the 20th minute to leave the half time score 1-7 to 0-4. Cashel struggled to break down a resolute Annacarty defence led by Karen Fox at centre back.

Anna Fahie finished with five points from frees while the hard-working Ella O’Dwyer scored their goal in injury time. On Saturday evening Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams and Borris-Ileigh played out a tough physical battle in Dundrum with Borris-Ileigh running out one-point winners, 0-12 to 0-11.

Nicole Walsh was excellent for the visitors finishing with 10 points while Ava Bevans and Aoife Fitzgerald also pointed. It was close throughout and both keepers pulled off excellent saves in the first half to leave the half time score 0-6 to 0-5 in favour of Borris.

Eimear Heffernan finished with 9 points in total seven from frees while Ereena Fryday and Beth Ryan were very good at centre and full back. Others to impress for Borris were Noirin Stapleton and Niamh McGrath. For KickhamsSarah Ryan and Emma O’Mara made great runs out from the backs while Mary Anne Hayes and Sinead Furlong also got on the scoresheet.

INTERMEDIATE

Boherlahan Dualla and Cahir served up an exciting encounter for spectators in Boherlahan on Sunday morning. Boherlahan dominated the first quarter with Aoife Kennedy impressing for the home side up front.

Cahir really got going as the half progressed and there were only two points between the teams at half time.The second half saw Boherlahan extend that lead to 7 points due to the serious workrate of Sarah Delaney and Danielle Ryan in particular.

That lead didn't last as Cahir produced a great finish with two goals in succession to win by 2 points in the end 3-07 to 14 points. Cahir’s goals came from Shauna O’Donnell and Carol Casey (2).

The first half between Shannon Rovers and Newport Ballinahinch was finely balanced with the lead changing hands on several occasions and at half time Newport deservedly led by 0-3 points 2-8 to 2-5. Shannon Rovers half time team talk obviously worked as they came scorching out of the blocks and scored four goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half all from play.

Celine Guinan took the game by the scruff of the neck at midfield and sent in numerous deliveries into a free scoring forward line where Aoife Mcloughney, Gillian McKenna and Laura Leenane combined to both set up and score the goals to seal victory. Best for Newport was Saoirse McGrath, Clodagh Grimes and Aoife Mellerick.

JUNIOR A

In Group 1 of the Junior A championship, Kiladangan and Lorrha played out an exciting draw 0-12 to 1-9 while Brian Borus were impressive winners away to Drom-Inch with a 3-16 to 1-5 victory.

Brian Borus goals came from Alanna English (2) and Rebecca Burke. It was an excellent team performance by last year’s beaten finalist especially in the first half.

In Group 2 Holycross Ballycahill continued their winning ways with a 1-10 to 0-3 win over Ballina. Holycross dominated the first half with a Julie Brennan goal helping them to a 1-6 to 0-2 lead.

JUNIOR B

There was a feast of goals in the Group 1 game between Cashel King Cormacs and Clonoulty Rossmore. Clonoulty ran out winners on a final scoreline of 6-4 to 3-7.
St Cronans also recorded a good win away from home beating Carrick Swans 2-14 to 0-11. There was only one game played in Group 2 where Gortnahoe Glengoole were comfortable winners over Silvermines 2-12 to 0-4.

JUNIOR B2

In Group 1 of the Junior B2 championship, Holycross Ballycahill defeated Toomevara 1-15 to 2-7. Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession but scores came that bit easier for Holycross and by the break they led by five points 1-8 to 1-3.

Both keepers Paula Ryan for Toomevara and Holycross’s Mags Fanning pulled off some great saves throughout the contest. In Group 2 Shannon Rovers enjoyed a 3-14 to 1-9 win over Borris-Ileigh.

Best for Rovers was Clodagh Cahalan who finished with 1-07 from play, Nicola Kelly and Kelly Watson. Best for Borris-Ileigh was Therese Groome and Eve Maher.