Clonoulty Rossmore retain County League crown with dominant win over Sarsfields
West Tipp side cruise to nine-point victory at The Ragg as Cait Devane and Eimear Bourke lead the way in impressive title defence
County Senior Camogie League Final
Clonoulty Rossmore 2-19
Thurles Sarsfields 2-10
Clonoulty Rossmore comfortably retained their County Senior Camogie League title with a nine-point win over last year’s senior champions, Thurles Sarsfields, at The Ragg on Sunday morning in a contest that never really ignited.
Both sides lined out without their county players, with Sarsfields the more depleted of the two, so the encounter's relevance as an indicator of championship prospects is somewhat reduced.
That said, Clonoulty Rossmore have every reason to be pleased, not just at retaining their league title but also at the manner in which they did so.
From the start, they were clearly the superior outfit, and when they reached the interval with an 11-point advantage (1-14 to 1-3), there was little doubt about the destination of the title.
After Sinéad Ryan pointed for Clonoulty, Sarah Stakelum struck for a Sarsfields goal in the fourth minute to put the Thurles side ahead for the only time in the game. Their joy was short-lived, however, as Clonoulty responded with a Róisín Ferncombe goal a minute later and from there the West side drove on relentlessly.
After 15 minutes, Sarsfields were just four points adrift at 1-6 to 1-2, but Clonoulty, with Cait Devane, Kellie Quirke and Eimear Bourke leading the way, then hit eight points without reply, effectively putting the game beyond Sarsfields’ reach by half-time.
The Thurles side managed just two points from play in the opening half, with Anna Derby raising a white flag and Leanna Coppinger converting two frees to add to Stakelum’s early goal.
Two minutes after the restart, Anna Derby netted for Sarsfields to raise hopes of a comeback, and she immediately followed up with a point. Clonoulty, however, responded in force.
Orla Ryan pointed before Cait Devane finished to the net from an Eimear Bourke pass to leave the score at 2-15 to 2-4.
Sarsfields simply did not possess the firepower to match their opponents, although they finished strongly with a brace of points from Marie Creedon, a hat-trick of pointed frees from Leanna Coppinger and a point from Andrea Loughnane.
By then, however, Clonoulty Rossmore were cruising and retained their title with the minimum of fuss.
With the championship due to begin in a few weeks and both sides expected to be back to full strength, the result here may carry little significance. However, Clonoulty Rossmore’s performance suggests they are in a good place and will be very much in contention for honours.
They were sharper and more focused than their rivals and, despite conceding an early goal, never looked like being beaten. Eimear Bourke, Kellie Quirke, Cait Devane, Sinéad Ryan, Róisín Ferncombe, Bernadette Ryan and Sarah Fryday all impressed.
Sarsfields, despite being the more understrength side, put in a commendable effort but will be under no illusion about the magnitude of the Clonoulty-Rossmore threat to their championship crown.
To their credit, they never threw in the towel and outscored their opponents by five points to one in the closing ten minutes, but the damage had already been done.
Goalkeeper Siobhán Hennessy performed well, as did Emer Kennedy, Anna Derby, Andrea Loughnane, Ciara Cummins and Marie Creedon. Leanna Coppinger’s free-taking was excellent, but overall they were outgunned by superior opposition.
Scorers: Clonoulty Rossmore: Cait Devane (1-7, 0-3f), Roisin Ferncombe 1-3, Kate Ryan, Eimear Bourke 0-3 each, Kellie Quirke, Sarah Fryday, Orla Ryan all 0-1 each.
Thurles Sarsfields: Anna Derby 1-2, Leanna Coppinger 0-5f, Sarah Stakelum 1-0, Marie Creedon 0-2, Andrea Loughnane 0-1.
Clonoulty Rossmore: Eva Ryan; Julie Murphy, Sarah Fryday, Aoife Bourke; Sarah O’Dwyer, Bernadette Ryan, Kate Ryan; Kellie Quirke, Sinead Ryan; Avril Quirke, Cait Devane, Roisin Ferncombe; Eimear Bourke, Sophie Maher, Orla Ryan.
Subs used: Noirin Forrestal for B Ryan; Andrea Quirke for Devane.
Thurles Sarsfields: Siobhan Hennessy; Niamh McCormack, Emer Kennedy, Aoife Butler; Rebecca O'Mara, Leanna Coppinger, Aisling Dwyer; Ciara Cummins, Anna Derby; Andrea Loughnane, Sarah Stakelum, Kate Stakelum; Katelyn Ruddy, Laura Loughnane, Marie Creedon.
Subs used: Ciara Maher for O'Mara; Ella Moloney or K Stakelum; Ava Geoghan for L Loughnane.
Referee: TP O’Sullivan (Nenagh Éire Óg)