Minor shock in round 1 of Tipp camogie championship as Sarsfields spring trap

FBD Insurance Senior Championship - Group 1 - Round 1

Clonoulty Rossmore 2-11 

Thurles Sarsfileds 1-19 

Saturday evening saw the much-anticipated clash of 2023 county finalists Clonoulty Rossmore and Thurles Sarsfields. 

Clonoulty had home advantage and eager to get their 2024 campaign off to a good start as they set their sights once again on the Bernie O'Dowd cup and that they did with the opening score coming from the West women. 

Caoimhe Stakelum responded one minute later with a point to settle the Sarsfields team who looked nervous in the opening stages. 

Clonoulty looked to have the better of the Sarsfields back line in the first 15 minutes with reliable  Eimear Bourke, Cait Devane, and Cora Hennessy all looking dangerous in attack.

Sarsfields looked once again to county minor Caoimhe Stakelum as she pointed the ball from play to put Sarsfields in the lead halfway through the first half, from here the Sars pushed on winning a penalty which could have increased their lead further but Caoimhe Stakelum selected to point the opportunity. 

However, soon after Tipperary and Thurles captain Karen Kennedy rattled the Clonoulty net as Thurles secured a comfortable lead of 1-11 to 0-5 at half time. 

Sarah Fryday, Casey Hennessy, and Courtney Ryan came out in the second half to right the wrongs of the first half but it was not made easy with a fine display from Lucy Purcell at centre forward as she scored four long-range points from play. Fryday took her opportunities when they arose and scored a great goal in the second half to bring Clonoulty back into the game. 

Sarsfields remained calm and collected and continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with points from Kennedy, Stakelum, Cummins and Purcell. Clonoulty’s Cait Devane put the ball past Sarsfields keeper one final time with 28 minutes on the clock but Sarsfields had created enough of a lead to come away with a win. 

Clonoulty will look forward to their bye weekend to regroup while Sarsfields will face Shannon Rovers at home on Saturday the 31st of August in the second round of group one.

Thurles Sarsfields: Siobhan Hennessy; Leanna Coppinger, Emer Kennedy, Aoife Butler; Laura Loughnane, Emma Carey, Rebecca O'Mara; Ciara Cummins (0-1), Robyn Fanning; Nicola Loughnane, Lucy Purcell (0-4), Karen Kennedy (1-2); Sarah Stakelum, Andrea Loughnane, Caoimhe Stakelum (0-12, 0-5f).

Subs used: Ella Moloney for Nicola Loughnane; Maria Ralph for Sarah Stakelum. 

Clonoulty Rossmore: Teresa Burke; Lorna Ryan, Clodagh Quirke, Moira Kinane; Courtney Ryan, Eimear Loughman, Aoife Bourke; Bernadette Ryan, Kelly Quirke; Casey Hennessy (0-1), Cora Hennessy (0-1), Cait Devane (1-6, 0-5f); Sarah Fryday (1-1), Eimear Bourke (0-1), Kate Ferncombe. 

Subs used: Sinead Ryan for Lorna Ryan; Avril Quirke for Cora Hennessy; Sophie Maher (0-1) for Kelly Quirke; Katie Murphy for Bernadette Ryan.

Referee: TP O’Sullivan (Nenagh Éire Óg)