Clonoulty and Annacarty book semi-final spots

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September 26, 2022

FBD Insurance Senior Quarter Final

Clonoulty Rossmore   3-12

Thurles Sarsfields        2-08

Thurles Sarsfields got off to a dream start on Saturday in Clonoutly when the dangerous Andrea Loughnane goaled on the first attack. By the 7th minute they deservedly led 1-04 to no score as they completely dominated the opening minutes with Clonoulty struggling to get the ball out of their own half. Thurles Sarsfields had the advantage of the breeze and they used this to good effect with Roisin Corbett (2), Lucy Purcell and Karen Kennedy (free) all hitting points. Clonoulty needed a response and it was corner forward Eimear Bourke who provided it on the 10th minute when she rounded her marker and drove at the goals before firing a bullet of a shot to the back of the net. Two minutes later Cait Devane pointed a free and then struck for a goal on the 16th   minute to leave the sides level 2-01 to 1-04. Andrea Loughnane who had a great duel with Moira Kinane at full forward edged Thurles back into the lead with a point from play and moments later Aoife Dwyer goaled to make it 2-05 to 2-01 in favour of Sars. Clonoulty finished the half strong with 2 points in succession from a Cait Devane free and a Kate Ryan point from play. This left the half time score  2-05 to 2-03 in Thurles’s favour. Clonoulty were lucky to be only two points behind at the break with manager James Heffernan attesting to this in his post match interview. Thurles had ‘flown out of the traps’ attacking with real precision. Karen Kennedy was superb at centre back while Ciara Cummins, Roisin Corbett and Lucy Purcell were to the fore in attack.

 It was Clonoulty though who started the brightest after the restart with a superb 12 minute spell that yielded a goal and 5 points without reply. Casey Hennessey, Eimear Bourke, Kate Ferncombe and Courtney Ryan hit 4 points from play on a trot as the forwards really found their rhythm. Casey Hennessey then struck for a goal and on 42 minutes Cait Devane who was growing more into the game pointed to make it 3-08 to 2-05. An Andrea Loughnane point was cancelled out by the accurate free taking of Devane before county minor player Aoife Dwyer hit 2 points for the Sars from a free and play to put just 4 points between the sides with 6 minutes of normal time remaining. Unfortunately for Thurles though this was to be their final score of the game as the Clonoulty defence led by Clodagh Quirke refused to be breached again. Clonoulty finished the scoring with 3 more points 2 from the ever reliant Devane and one from talented county minor Kate Ferncombe whose father Michael coaches the team.

Three second half points from Thurles Sarsfields was never going to be enough against the county finalist from the last 2 years. They can take huge satisfaction with how they approached the game, the fantastic start and they work rate throughout. Karen Kennedy produced another mammoth display for them but it was very much a team effort with noteworthy performances in every line. They have some more exciting young talent coming through and will be no doubt build and learn from this year’s campaign. It was a satisfying hard fought victory for Clonoulty Rossmore. Despite falling 7 points behind early in the game they never panicked and got crucial scores when needed. They were excellent in the third quarter and if they can repeat that display for an hour they will be very hard to beat. Up front Eimear Bourke and Kate Ferncombe were always lively and threatening. Courtney Ryan was a powerhouse at midfield and also scored a wonderful point. After a nervy start the full back line of Lorna Ryan, Moira Kinane and Andrea Bourke really settled into the game. Despite being well held at times in particular in the opening half Cait Devane still finished with a very impressive 1-06 with a goal and 2 points from play. Next up for Clonoulty is a mouth watering clash against Cashel King Cormacs in the county semi-final on Saturday October 8th.


Clonoulty Rossmore: Therese White, Lorna Ryan, Moira Kinane, Andrea Bourke, Bernadette Ryan, Clodagh Quirke, Eimear Loughman, Sinead Ryan, Courtney Ryan(0-01), Kate Ferncombe, Kate Ryan(0-01), Cait Devane(1-06, 4 frees), Eimear Bourke(1-01), Casey Hennessey(1-01), Avril Quirke.

Thurles Sarsfields: Katie McCormack, Aoife Butler, Niamh McCormack, Rebecca O’Mara, Laura Loughnane, Karen Kennedy(0-01 free), Emma Carey, Ciara Cummins, Nicola Loughnane, Aoife Dwyer(1-02,  1 free), Andrea Loughnane(1-02), Emer Kennedy, Roisin Corbett(0-2), Sarah Stakelum, Lucy Purcell (0-01)


Burgess Duharra   3-07

Eire Og Annacarty 2-14

Despite having failed to win a game in their group with 2 defeats and a draw Eire Og Annacarty are through to a county semi-final after a 4 point win away from home against a fancied Burgess Duharra in Saturday’s other quarter final. Already without the experienced full-forward Amy Kennedy who was out with an injury Burgess Duharra were dealt another serious blow with the loss of Caoimhe Maher through illness. Her side certainly missed not only her hurling ability in the middle of the field but also her leadership and communication. After 10 minutes they still led by 3 points 1-02 to 0-2 thanks to an ealy goal by Ciardha Maher. But a Cinnait Walsh point followed by an Eibhlis McDonald goal put Annacarty in the lead by the 20th minute 1-03 to 1-02. With little between the sides and both sets of backs on top Annacarty went in at the break with a 2 point advantage 1-05 to 1-03. The game sprung to life after the restart with a goal from either side within minutes. Annacarty’s courtesy of Eibhlis McDonald who was a constant threat  at full forward while Laura Reid raised a green flag for Duharra. As the second half progressed the scores were coming easier for Annacarty and they started to open up a gap until Burgess Duharra struck for a third goal this time from Kaitlin O’Halloran to leave just 2 between the sides 2-09 to 3-04. Annacarty didn’t panic and with Jean Kelly and Eva O’Dwyer in flying form in attack they kept the scoreboard ticking over in their favour to run out 4 point winners 2-14 to 3-07. Annacarty have plenty of talented hurlers but on Saturday they matched that with workrate and determination to record a deserved victory and book a place in the county semi-final against Drom-Inch. Their defence was extremely solid and resolute especially Karen Fox and Orlagh Walsh. For Burgess Duharra Ciara McKeogh, Jenny Grace and Ciardha Maher gave a trojan effort and kept Burgess Duharra in with a chance thoughout but ultimately they came up just short against impressive opposition.


Burgess Duharra: Ciara Holohan, Úna Quigley, Fiona Kirwan, Iris Grace, Aisling Cremin, Eimear DwanJenny Grace (0:03, 2 frees), Katie Grace (0:01), Kaitlin O’Halloran (1:00), Ciara McKeogh, Danielle Nealon, Laura Reid (1:00), Ciardha Maher (1:03), Roisín Duffy

Eire Og Annacarty: Aoife Butler, Mary O’Dwyer, Rosanna O’Donnell, Laura Heffernan, Shauna Heffernan, Karen Fox, Orlagh Walsh, Ciannait Walsh, Elaine Kelly, Eva O’Dwyer(0-05,3 frees), Leah Heffernan (0-01) Rachel O’ Dwyer, Orla O’Brien(0-01), Eibhlis McDonald(2-01), Jean Kelly (0-05)