Champions Sarsfields stay on course to defend crown

Sarsfields 1-13

Athenry 0-11

Eanna O’Reilly in Gort

SARSFIELDS qualified for their fifth county senior final in succession with a five-point win over a dogged Athenry side in Gort on Saturday. The defending county and All-Ireland champions’ superior firepower in attack proved to be the difference, with a strong final quarter from Sarsfields putting daylight between the teams.

Athenry were competitive throughout and certainly matched Sarsfields for work rate and physicality for most of the game. However, their over-reliance on Sabina Rabbitte’s pointed frees went against them in the end. It was an enjoyable contest, played with high intensity, which produced some excellent quality from both teams.

Playing against the wind, Sarsfields opened the scoring with a good point from Shannon Corcoran from the left corner. Athenry responded with a pointed free from Sabina Rabbitte, after the full forward herself was fouled. Shortly after, Orlaith McGrath made a great run through the Athenry defence before passing to Corcoran, who passed inside to Rachel Murray in the square.

With a goal on, Murray was pulled down by the Athenry defenders for a penalty, but Maria Cooney blasted her shot narrowly over the crossbar as Athenry dodged a bullet. Siobhán McGrath opened her account with a pointed free in the tenth minute. Then, some great work from Dervla Higgins saw her earn a free, which Rabbitte converted to reduce the margin. The sides were level after 18 minutes when Rabbitte pointed another free, after Therese Donohue was fouled.

The game was evenly contested at this stage, typified by an excellent battle in midfield where Athenry’s Dervla Higgins and Grace Cahill vied for supremacy against Sarsfields pair Aoibhe Deeley and Niamh McGrath. Some pressure on the Athenry defence saw Niamh Keane penalised for lying on the ball, allowing Siobhán McGrath to put Sarsfields back in front.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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