McGraths lead Sarsfields to dominant final success

Siobhán McGrath broke the game wide open and her sister Niamh provided the flourishes with some stupendous shooting, as Sarsfields, managed by their father Michael, secured a fourth AIB All-Ireland club senior camogie title.

It was the Bullaun/New Inn side's eighth final appearance in nine campaigns and it showed as they always held the whip hand, apart perhaps from the very early exchanges.

Niamh missed the final defeat to Dicksboro 12 months, as she was expecting her now ten-month-old son Ruadhán, but it was like she had never been away as she lorded the midfield exchanges alongside another sibling Clodagh, and treated us to an outstanding display of shooting into the bargain.

Skipper Laura Ward, Maria Cooney and Klara Donohue were others to stand out but in truth Sarsfields were on a different plane to Truagh/Clonlara, gutsy though they were to the final whistle.

They seemed nervous early on and too often failed to gather possession cleanly. They more than held their own in the physical exchanges but operated more on an individual basis, with few supporting runners to the player in possession and a reluctance to use them if they did materialise.

In contrast, Sarsfields were slick, with Siobhán McGrath turning Sinéad Ryan with her first two possessions and after scoring three points in jig time, two inside 60 seconds, it was time for Bob Caulfield to move Michelle Powell to act as shadow.

That made no difference, however, as the dynamic full-forward had a goal in 21st minute to put real daylight between the teams.

This was in spite of Truagh/Clonlara having the lead twice early on, first through a pointed free by their chief scoregetter Áine O’Loughlin, and then via Eimear Kelly, after McGrath had equalised.

Niamh McGrath