Siobhan McGrath turns on style to clinch battle of Sarsfields

Sarsfields (Galway) 2-10 Sarsfields (Cork) 1-06

It must have been a nightmare for commentators with the unusual situation of two teams with the same names going toe-to-toe but that was what unfolded at Mallow.

It was the experience of the westerners that prevailed though the Rebel representatives certainly provided a stern examination of their vaunted opponents' credentials before yielding by 2-10 to 1-06.

It was the Galway side’s first game since the county final six weeks ago but they flew out of the traps to lead by three points at the end of the opening quarter, as the brilliant Clara Donohue, Clodagh McGrath, Siobhán McGrath and Rachel Murray raised white flags.

With Ava Fitzgerald excelling at midfield, the Cork crew got back into it, Lucy Allen converting bringing her tally to four from placed balls and Holly Herlihy also hitting the target to leave it 0-7 to 0-6 at the change of ends.

A brilliant 42nd minute goal from Siobhán McGrath looked to have sealed things for the girls in green but by now, their gritty rivals had introduced Kate Fennessy, who had been their leading scorer in the Munster final but had been forced by illness to sit it out from the start.

Fennessy finished a great move involving Oliva McAllen, Evie Twomey and Clare Mullins to put the game back in the melting pot with a smart finish for a goal but then Donohoe took a pass from Murray to raise another green flag at the other end.

Tara Kenny and Maria Cooney stood out in a strong defensive effort by titleholders but they did give up three good goal chances nonetheless, any of which might have made it tricky down the stretch if ending in a rattled net.