Athenry 2-8

Sarsfields 1-8

By Eanna O’Reilly at Kenny Park

A fired-up Athenry ended Sarsfields’ six year run as county senior camogie champions, with the shock result of the year in Sunday’s county final at Kenny Park.

Joe Rabbitte’s charges produced a terrific performance to defeat the county and All-Ireland title holders and inflict Sarsfields’ first county final defeat since 2018.

Few people outside of Athenry saw this result coming, such has been Sarsfields’ dominance at county and All-Ireland level for most of the last decade. However, the challengers upset the odds with a performance full of heart and determination to capture their thirteenth senior championship title.

Athenry’s physicality, work-rate, pace, and overall quality were superior on the day. They defended superbly, restricting the defending champions to 1-4 from play throughout the contest. At the other end of the field, their forwards put the Sarsfields defence under a level of pressure they haven’t been accustomed to within the county for a long time.

Overall, it was a well-deserved win for Athenry, whose victory ensured the Catherine Donnellan Cup would have a new home for the first time in seven years this winter. From the early exchanges, they looked visibly up for the challenge and displayed little nerves or fear of their opponents.

Playing against the wind in the opening half, Sarsfields got up and running with a good point from Caoimhe Kelly from the left wing. Sabina Rabbitte soon opened Athenry’s account at the other end with her first free. The next five minutes saw Rabbitte add two more placed balls to make it 0-3 to 0-1, before Sarsfields struck for a goal at the other end.

A well worked move involving Tara Kenny, Klara Donohue, and Siobhán McGrath saw the ball transferred to Kelly, who finished impressively to the net. Athenry responded well and were back in front within five minutes, after two well taken points from Jessica Gill and Eimear Keane.

The lead soon changed hands again, as Orlaith McGrath landed an excellent score, before Siobhán McGrath sent over her first free, to make it 1-3 to 0-5 after 20 minutes. Rabbitte’s third free at the other end soon levelled the game, before a neat point from Sarah Spellman put Sarsfields back ahead.

Athenry got a major boost with a goal shortly before half time. A strong run and pass from Gill put Keane through on goal and she finished impressively with a low shot to the back of the net. Athenry took a two point lead into the interval, whichn in truth, was no more than they deserved.

With the wind behind them, Sarsfields reduced the margin early in the second half with a point from Donohue. But Athenry soon struck for their second goal. A pacey run from Keane saw her break inside the Sarsfields’ defence, before shooting past Eva Murray for the second time.

Three minutes later, Kerri O’Driscoll landed a score from 45 yards to make it 2-7 to 1-5. Sarsfields were really struggling and needed scores. A pointed free from McGrath briefly reduced the deficit. But Athenry responded when Rabbitte converted her fifth free of the contest.

Pictured: Athenry defender Kate Screene prepares to clear her lines against Caoimhe Kelly of Sarsfields during the Galway Senior A Camogie Final at Kenny Park on Sunday. Photo: Joe Keane.