Sarsfields 1-17

Truagh-Clonlara 0-6

By Eanna O’Reilly at Croke Park

SARSFIELDS secured their fourth All-Ireland senior club camogie title with an emphatic 14-point victory over Truagh-Clonlara at Croke Park on Sunday evening. Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath’s charges were full value for their win on a day when the team played to their potential and produced a tremendous performance on the national stage.

The Galway champions never looked back after going ahead in the tenth minute of the first half, and soon pulled away from a Truagh-Clonlara side which was simply outclassed. The East Galway outfit certainly left no doubt about their position as the top club camogie side in the country in 2024.

Conditions were cold and dry with a swirling breeze in Croke Park, and it was Truagh-Clonlara who opened the scoring with a third minute pointed free from county player Áine O’Loughlin. Sarsfields opened their account with a Siobhán McGrath score, after a well worked move involving Clodagh McGrath, Niamh McGrath, Cora Kenny, and Sarah Spellman.

Eimear Kelly edged the Clare side back in front with a point, but it would be the last time Truagh-Clonlara led in the match. Niamh McGrath’s first pointed free a minute later levelled the contest at 0-2 apiece. Siobhán McGrath’s second score gave Sarsfields the lead, and the full forward was razor sharp in the danger zone.

She followed it up with her third a minute later, taking a good score from a tight angle in the left corner. Klara Donohue soon pointed to make it 0-5 to 0-2, before Niamh McGrath (’45) stretched their lead to four. Hannah Horgan pulled a point back for Truagh-Clonlara at the other end, but Sarsfields were well on top throughout the field, and their next score was a major one.

A pinpoint delivery from Niamh McGrath exploited the space in front of her sister Siobhán, who displayed great control and pace to race inside and finish smartly past Truagh-Clonlara ‘keeper Sophie Cullen.

Sarsfields were rampant and playing at a level their opponents couldn’t handle. They continued to dominate after the goal and pushed on with three points on the spin. Cora Kenny sent over a good score after demonstrating terrific pace run down the left wing. Niamh McGrath then landed a superb point over her right shoulder.

With Truagh-Clonlara’s defence struggling to cope with Siobhán McGrath in particular, the full forward drew a foul which she converted herself to leave nine points between the sides late in the opening half. Sarsfields’ quality was simply on a different level, and they were playing with confidence throughout the pitch.

Pictured: Sarsfields’ Orlaith McGrath breaking away from Ellen Horgan of Truagh-Clonlara during Sunday’s All-Ireland Club Senior Camogie Final at Croke Park. Photo: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.