GAA: Sarsfields stand in the way of Slaughtneil's back to back titles
IT is more of the same on Sunday, with a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland Final. As Slaughtneil battled clear of Loughgiel and Thomastown, Sarsfields had a mixed bag on their own path to Croke Park.
They weren’t fancied to retain their title. After beating St Thomas’ earlier in the campaign, the teams met in the semi-final. This time Sarsfields didn’t fire on all cylinders before grinding out the win.
Early points from Orlaith McGrath had them ahead but St Thomas’ drew level at 0-2 each. A probing run from Orlaith saw her win a penalty. It was a chance to open a gap. Her sister Niamh stepped up but was off target with her shot.
At the other end Sarsfields needed a penalty save from goalkeeper Yvonne Lyons to keep her side in the game, before St Thomas’ eventually found the net.
It wasn’t until a Tara Kenny point in the 47th minute that Sarsfields went ahead and Siobhan McGrath added points for a 0-10 to 1-5 win, setting up meeting with Mullagh in the final.
WRITTEN OFF
Sarsfields needed a replay to see off Mullagh in the 2016 final, to win their first ever championship since the club was founded in 1981.
It is a young side, with Niamh McGrath the oldest player still only 25 years of age. She played on the club’s 2007 All-Ireland Féile winning team – the start of their progression up the ranks. The current squad includes seven of their 2017 minor winning team
Going into the final, Mullagh were hot favourites but Michael McGrath’s side delivered what he referenced as their ‘best ever’ performance.
They attacked from the first ball. Early goals from Orlaith McGrath and player of the match Tara Kenny had them 2-5 to 0-4 ahead at the interval.
It was more of the same in the second-half before Sarah Spellman capped off a strong performance with a goal in the closing stages, to copper-fasten a 3-10 to 0-7 victory.
In the All-Ireland semi-final, it was a battle of wills. Four points from Niamh McGrath saw them level (0-5 each) at the break.
With sister Siobhan adding scores in the second-half, it kept the scoreboard ticking over before Rachel Murray opened a two point gap with effectively the winning score in a 0-10 to 0-9 win.
Murray played centre-forward on Galway’s All-Ireland U16 winning team, one of four Sarsfields players on the squad. Murray was too young to play last year, acting as the team’s water carrier. She will add an extra attacking option for Slaughtneil to plan for.