PREVIEW: Thurles Sarsfields face formidable Cork opposition in bid to reach Munster camogie final

AIB MUNSTER SENIOR CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

THURLES SARSFIELDS vs ST FINBARR’S

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, THE RAGG @ 1.30

Thurles Sarsfields will face one of the toughest tests in club camogie this Sunday, November 1, when they welcome Cork champions St Finbarr's to Tipperary for their AIB Munster Senior Club Camogie Championship semi-final.

Fresh from retaining their Tipperary senior title with a hard-fought victory over Clonoulty-Rossmore, Sarsfields will be hoping to carry that winning momentum onto the provincial stage, but they could hardly have been handed a more formidable opponent.

St Finbarr's were beaten All-Ireland senior club finalists last season, losing out to Galway's Athenry after a replay in January, and the Cork outfit have already demonstrated their considerable firepower in this year's Munster campaign.

The Barrs booked their place in Sunday's semi-final with an impressive 4-10 to 1-12 victory over Clare champions Truagh-Clonlara at MTU Cork last weekend, with Orlaith Cahalane proving the star of the show.

Cahalane struck a superb hat-trick of goals and finished with 3-2 as the Cork champions put the contest beyond doubt.

The Cork side also possess considerable experience throughout their ranks, with the likes of Gemma O'Connor, Sorcha McCartan and Kate Wall among their leading performers. McCartan and Wall contributed four points apiece in the quarter-final victory, highlighting the variety of attacking threats Sarsfields will have to contend with.

For Sarsfields, Sunday's encounter is another opportunity to demonstrate their growing credentials beyond the county boundaries after a highly successful period in the last two years.

The Thurles outfit came agonisingly close to reaching a Munster final last season, suffering a narrow 2-21 to 3-16 defeat against Waterford champions De La Salle in a thrilling semi-final; their first foray into the senior provincial ranks.

Karen Kennedy and Caoimhe Stakelum were particularly influential on that occasion, while Laura Loughnane also caused considerable problems for the Waterford defence.

Sarsfields held a seven-point advantage at one stage but were ultimately reeled in by a talented De La Salle side, leaving them to reflect on what might have been.

That experience should provide plenty of motivation as they prepare for another crack at reaching a provincial decider.

The challenge facing the Tipperary champions is considerable, particularly given St Finbarr's pedigree and their experience of competing at the very highest level of club camogie.

However, Sarsfields have shown their own ability to deliver in big championship encounters, and with the likes of Kennedy, Stakelum and the Loughnane sisters providing leadership and quality, they will be determined to make home advantage count.

Having come so close to a Munster final appearance twelve months ago, Sarsfields will be hoping to go one better this time around and take another significant step forward in their development as a senior club force.

The winners will advance to the Munster senior final, where either Waterford champions Gailltír or Kerry representatives Clanmaurice will await.