By Sarah Gaughran

ORANMORE-Maree and Sarsfields will meet again in the Senior A County Final after they overcame Athenry and Mullagh in their repective camogie semi-finals. Meanwhile, extra time was required in both Senior B semi-finals with Clarinbridge and St Thomas’ prevailing in the end.

After the heartache of the last two years, Shamrocks are in the Intermediate final where they will face Mountbellew Moylough. In the Junior A  decider, it will be a repeat of last year’s semi-final when Liam Mellows take on Kiltormer.

Oranmore-Maree booked their place back in the Senior A Final on Sunday after a stirring second-half display against Athenry, who were the stronger side up to the interval. Olwen Rabbitte opened Athenry’s account with a point before Roisín Black followed up with a well take score from play. Kerri O’Driscoll and Noreen Coen then hit two points in quich succession for Athenry to give them the lead.

Ailish O’Reilly replied for Oranmore-Maree but Eimear Keane and Dervla Higgins hit back for Athenry to give them a three point lead. Eimear O’Donovan was then on target for Oranmore Maree before Athenry had points from Rabbitte and O’Driscoll and a goal from Coen.

But straight from the restart, Oranmore-Maree responded with a goal through Clodagh Power, while O’Driscoll soon got her third point in the 22nd minute. A foul on Therese Maher led to a penalty which Sabina Rabbitte stuck to the Oranmore/Maree net. Rabbitte followed up with a free but it was Oranmore who had the final say of the half with O’Reilly slotting over two frees to leave Athenry ahead by 2-9 to1-5.

It was Oranmore-Maree who came flying out of the blocks on the resumption, scoring 2-9 without reply. Niamh Hanniffy and Eimear O’Donovan found the net while O’Reilly sent over a series of points. Rachael Hanniffy, Aisling Finn and O’Donovan were also on target for Oranmore Maree. O’Driscoll did manage  a goal near the end for Athenry, but it wasn’t enough as Oranmore-Maree ran out 3-14 to 3-9 winners.

Sarsfields are back in the county final after a convincing victory over Mullagh on Sunday in Killimor. Rachel Monaghan, Mulllagh’s only scorer throughout the contest, opened the scoring from a free, but it didn’t take long for Sarsfields to click into gear. Shannon Corcoran got their scoring underway, with Orlaith McGrath (2), Cora Kenny, Caoimhe Kelly and Siobhán McGrath also raising white flags before the latter netted a penalty.

Monaghan was trying to keep Mullagh in touch but Sarsfields were just too strong. Corcoran followed up with 1-1 before Kelly had their third goal. Monaghan and Siobhán McGrath exchanged frees before half-time as Sarsfields went 3-9 to 0-6 in front.

Pictured: Athenry’s Eimear Keane prepares to strike against Rachaell Hanniffy of Oranmore-Maree in the Senior A semi-final in Clarinbridge on Sunday. Photo: Sandra Buck.