No doubt for St Finbarr's Stehanie Punch that they would claim senior camogie title

St Finbarr's put years of heartbreak behind them as they claim the Cork senior camogie title.

CHAMPIONS: Captain of St Finbarr's Stephanie Punch celebrates with her team. Picture: Dan Linehan

Cork senior camogie final: St Finbarr’s 1-16 Sarsfields 0-12

Lean times for St Finbarr’s since 2006. Four semi-finals losses alone between 2019 and 2022. Knocked out in the quarter-final in 2023. After years of heartache, they eventually got their hands on the Punch Shoe Care Cup when dethroning champions Sarsfields in the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship final at Castle Road on Sunday.

In a contest that ebbed and flowed in the first half, after which the winners held a narrow 0-9 to 0-8 lead having played with the strong wind, they saw this one out with Orlaith Cahalane’s 52nd minute goal the score that drove them on.

The Barrs had to dig deep, Sorcha McCartan among those doing Trojan work.

The privilege of lifting the trophy went to Stephanie Punch.

“I had no doubt we could come out and do this today,” the corner-back said.

“Sars are great champions, they really put it up to us. I’m so proud of my team. They left nothing out there. This is so well deserved.

“I was nine or ten when the Barrs last won. I remember going to the match and getting my poster signed by Gemma (O’Connor) and Lynda (O’Connell) who are still with us today. Lynda was the last captain to lift the cup.” 

Match day nerves were evident early on, during which McCartan had an eighth minute penalty saved by Molly Lynch, the ‘keeper was kept busy throughout.

Despite Sars going 0-6 to 0-3 ahead through Lucy Allen, Orlaith and Clare Mullins and Kate Fennessy, Brian O’Sullivan’s side settled and enjoyed a positive spell before the break courtesy of points from Cahalane, Keeva McCarthy, McCartan, Kate Wall, Hannah O’Leary and Niamh Olden to put them one up.

They played their best camogie against the wind.

Four points to one they outhit Sars in the third quarter, 0-13 to 0-11. Eight minutes to go Cahalane struck for goal and they finished in style.

Legend Gemma O’Connor came on and made a significant contribution.

“A second medal in 18 years feels so special,” she said. “I’m delighted for the girls, they’ve put in such hard work this year. It’s an honour to come back into that type of team and environment.” 

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: O Cahalane (1-4, 0-2 frees), S McCartan (0-5, 0-1 free), K McCarthy (0-3), H O’Leary, N Olden, K Wall and E Wiggington Barrett (0-1 each).

Scorers for Sarsfields: K Fennessy (0-7, 0-5 frees), A Fitzgerald (0-2), L Allen, O Mullins and C Mullins (0-1 each).

ST FINBARR’S: C Hurley; S Punch (Capt), A Egan, A O’Neill; A Shannon, M Cahalane, C Golden; E Olden, H O’Leary; N Olden, K Wall, E Wiggington Barrett; S McCartan, O Cahalane, K McCarthy.

Subs: G O’Connor for E Olden (45).

SARSFIELDS: M Lynch; T Elliott, M Mullins, N O’Callaghan; O McAllen, l Kelly (Capt), L Dunlea; A Fitzgerald, C Lynch; L Allen, O Mullins, E Twomey; C Mullins, H Herlihy, K Fennessy.

Subs: M McCarthy for C Lynch (half-time), C O’Donovan for M Mullins (45), E Woods for K Fennessy, A Mullins for M McCarthy (both 59).

Referee: John Horgan (Gleann na Laoi).