Sorcha McCartan shines as Barrs prove too much for Blackrock in Cork camogie semi-final
Sorcha McCartan fires over a point from play for St Finbarr's in the first half of the Senior Camogie Championship semi-final. Picture: Larry Cummins
Reigning champions St Finbarr’s turned on the style in the second half of the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship semi-final at MTU on Saturday. Ahead by four points at the short whistle, a goal from the outstanding Sorcha McCartan in the 34th minute inspired the win.
And this is what the Togher club does best. When the pressure is on, they deliver.
McCartan enjoyed another productive afternoon returning 1-8, but she also was involved in so many other plays.
This was a brave performance from Blackrock - the 2023 Premier intermediate champions made their opponents earn every flag - but they were left to rue some wayward shooting.
They lined up with Moira Ryan as sweeper, and Maeve Cashman and Róisín De Faoite picking up Orlaith Cahalane and McCartan respectively.
This left Gráinne Cahalane as the extra player at the other end.
The Blackrock defence was heroic in the opening half, thwarting at least four Barrs goal opportunities.
The teams went to the dressing-room with St Finbarr’s 0-7 to 0-3 ahead. A tricky cross wind not allowing either side to settle.
It was Blackrock who kicked off the scoring through a Hayley Ryan free in the third minute, McCartan responding with a similar score three minutes later.
The Barrs pushed ahead through Aisling Shannon - Keeva McCarthy the provider - but Blackrock levelled through a Ryan point from play with Maeve Coffey impressing in the build-up.
Cliona O’Callaghan found the range from an incredibly tight angle to edge Blackrock in front in the 17th minute.
It would be their final score of the half.
However, that only tells half the story.
While the next four scores were courtesy of McCartan (two from play) and Nicole Olden, it was the Rockies defence and ‘keeper Anna Kearney that worked their socks off.
Once McCartan got the ball rolling in the second half - either side of a three point spell - the scoreboard read 1-10 to 0-3.
Her goal was textbook with the ball cleared by Gráinne Cahalane to Kate Wall with McCartan applying a blistering finish from 20 metres.
They went score for score thereafter until sub Ella Wigginton Barrett netted in the second minute of stoppage time to seal a 12-point win.
By the end of the game, all four Cahalane sisters were on the field.
The second semi-final between Éire Óg and St Catherine’s takes place later today in Castle Road.
S McCartan (1-8, 0-4 frees), E Wigginton Barrett (1-0), K McCarthy (0-3), A Shannon, H O’Leary, O Cahalane and N Olden (0-1 each).
H Ryan (0-4, 0-3 frees), C O’Callaghan, J O’Keeffe, K Hickey, M Coffey and S McCarthy (0-1 each).
C Hurley; S Punch (Capt), S Daly, A O’Neill; G Cahalane, M Cahalane, C Golden; E Olden, A Shannon; H O’Leary, K Wall, K McCarthy; N Olden, S McCartan, O Cahalane.
E Hurley for E Olden (38), E Wigginton Barrett for N Olden (45), A Egan for S Daly (48), L O’Donovan for H O’Leary (52), K Cahalane for A O’Neill (59).
A Kearney; A Hegarty (Capt), M Ryan, M Cashman; L Guerin, R De Faoite, O Grimley; J O’Keeffe, K Hickey; M Coffey, H Ryan, M Murphy; E Curtin, L McKeogh, C O’Callaghan.
S McCarthy for L McKeogh, J Murphy for L Guerin (both 37), A O’Farrell for E Curtin (48), K O’Sullivan for M Coffey (57).
Cathal Egan (Glen Rovers).
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