Sarsfields turn the screw in second-half to take charge

Sarsfields 1-13

St. Vincent’s 0-8

Eanna O’Reilly in Nenagh

SARSFIELDS booked their place in the All-Ireland senior club final for the third time in four years in Nenagh on Sunday, following an impressive eight-point victory over Leinster champions St. Vincent’s.

The Galway champions were full value for their win after a dominant second half display, with Rachel Murray’s 37th minute goal proving to be the key score in igniting Sarsfields. They gradually took control of a match which had been tight in the opening half and pulled away in style, scoring the last five points of the game to seal their place in Croke Park.

Sarsfields received a major boost before the game with the availability of centre back Maria Cooney, who overcame concerns over an ankle injury to take her place at number six. Playing against the wind, Sarsfields positioned Aoibhe Deeley in the middle third, with Rachel Murray and Siobhán McGrath in the inside line.

They began brightly with McGrath pointing a free after two minutes. Vincent’s soon showed their threat when a loose ball in the Sarsfield’s square almost ended up in the net, before Clodagh McGrath did extremely well to intervene and clear the danger. A minute later, Laura Glynn showed great reactions to deny corner forward Claire Donnelly a goal chance, bravely advancing on the corner forward and getting the ball to safety.

St Vincent’s got on the scoreboard soon after, when Ali Maguire pointed her first free. Sarsfields replied with a tremendous score from Orlaith McGrath, who got on to Joanne Daly’s delivery before speeding down the left wing and firing over. Siobhán McGrath pointed another free a minute later, before Maguire replied with her second at the other end.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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