Sarsfields 2-18

Athenry 0-17

(After extra-time)

By Stephen Glennon in Clarinbridge

SARSFIELDS’ bid for a six-in-a-row of County Senior A Camogie titles remains intact – but only just – after a determined Athenry pushed the champions all the way to extra-time in a pulsating semi-final in Clarinbridge on Saturday.

In the end, the margin of victory may have been seven points in Sarsfields’ favour, but the three-time All-Ireland winners had to go to the well – not just once, but at several junctures – to finally see off their committed opponents in extra-time.

On eight occasions these two were deadlocked, before Sarah Spellman netted her and Sarsfields’ second goal three minutes into extra-time to nudge the victors three in front.

Athenry did respond with a Sabina Rabbitte free, but points from Caoimhe Kelly and Siobhan McGrath (free) saw Sarsfields lead 2-14 to 0-16 at the change of ends in the additional period.

From there, Sarsfields struck for home, as Niamh McGrath (free), Spellman, substitute Cora Kenny and Siobhan McGrath (45) tallied four points in the second half of extra-time. Athenry’s sole riposte was a Noreen Coen point. Relief for Sarsfields, abject dejection for Athenry.

One could argue that extra-time only provided an outcome – it was the 60 minutes of normal time that shaped the narrative of this fixture. Throughout, no quarter was asked or given on the pitch, while things, at times, got just as hot and heavy on the line.

It was no surprise, then, that the sides were level, 1-6 to 0-9, after the opening half – Spellman’s first goal on just two minutes a crucial score for Michael McGrath’s outfit as a wind-assisted Athenry struck nine points in this period.

Six of those points were converted by Rabbitte – five from frees – while Noreen Coen (2) and Jessica Gill were also on the mark. Caoimhe Kelly (2), Orlaith McGrath (2) and Siobhan McGrath (two frees) contributed for Sarsfields.

All over the field, however, the match-ups were fascinating, no more so than the way challengers Athenry set out their stall, with Niamh Feeney tracking Caoimhe Kelly, Dervla Higgins picking up Orlaith McGrath and pacey teenager Kerri O’Driscoll parachuted into centre-half forward to take on Sarsfields’ defensive general Maria Cooney.

Pictured: Sarsfields’ Shannon Corcoran trying to break past Athenry’s Ciara Cunniffe and Dervla Higgins in Saturday’s Senior A camogie semi-final in Clarinbridge. Photos: Sandra Buck.