Caoimhe Stakelum leads the way as Thurles Sarsfields prove too strong for Clanmaurice

LEADING THE WAY: An injury hit Clanmaurice side suffered a heavy defeat in their Munster Senior Club Championship debut, when a Caoimhe Stakelum inspired Thurles Sarsfields side proved too good in atrocious weather conditions at Ballyheigue Sportsfield. Picture:©INPHO/Tom Maher

Munster Senior Club Camogie Championship, premliminary round: Clanmaurice (Kerry) 0-0 Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) 0-11

An injury hit Clanmaurice side suffered a heavy defeat in their Munster Senior Club Championship debut, when a Caoimhe Stakelum inspired Thurles Sarsfields side proved too good in atrocious weather conditions at Ballyheigue Sportsfield.

Clanmaurice, who won back to back All-Ireland Intermediate Club titles opted to move up a grade to senior but without a club championship in Kerry, it was always going to be a big ask. To compound the Kerry sides woes, they had to field without their top three scorers Patrice Diggin, Jackie Horgan and Amy O’Sullivan plus star defender Aoife Behan.

But this was a game where defences were on top and there were only two scorers in the game, Caoimhe Stakelum contributing 0-10 of her sides total while Lucy Purcell got a single point. In fact there was only four points from play in the 60-plus minutes.

Sarsfields, who won the Tipperary Senior Final last weekend, had the strong wind and rain to their backs in the opening half but conditions militated against flowing despite the excellent work rate of Tipperary senior Karen Kennedy who tormented Clanmaurice all afternoon and they were forced to foul.

Caoimhe Stakelum punished the Clanmaurice indiscretions converting three frees, plus two 45s and a fine effort from play. The only non Stakelum score was a Lucy Purcell effort from play after a Karen Kennedy assist.

Clanmaurice did not have a recognised free-taker so their fullback Sara Murphy had a busy afternoon up and down the pitch but the wind ensured she would not score in the opening half.

Thurles Sarsfields had Leanne Coppinger and Niamh McCormack outstanding in their fullback line while Ciara Cummins from Ireland’s fittest family, was in the thick of everything for the Tipp champions. They led 0-7 to 0-0 at half time and though Clanmaurice worked tirelessly in the second half with Sara Murphy and Niamh Leane defiant at the back with Murphy taking the sliotar off the goal line to deny Laura Loughnane a goal.

Clanmaurice just could not get going up front without Diggin, Horgan and O’Sullivan while Caoimhe Stakelum added four points for the visitors but only one was from play.

So not great quality in this contest, with the elements a huge factor but Thurles Sarsfields will be happy to advance to the next round.

Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields: C Stakelum (0-10, 5fs, 2’45’s), L Purcell ( 0-1).

Scorers for Clanmaurice: Did not score.

CLANMAURICE: A Fitzgerald; R McCarthy, S Murphy M Costello; E Ryall, N Leen, A O’Connor; E Slattery, D O’Leary; L Collins, C Spillane, A M Leen; J O’Keeffe, K Lynch, L Houlihan 

Sub: C Moloney for J O’Keeffe ( inj h/t).

THURLES SARSFIELDS: S Hennessy; L Coppinger, N McCormack, R O’Meara; E Carey, E Kennedy, M Creedon; C Cummins, A O’Dwyer; A Loughnane, L Purcell, S Stakelum; K Kennedy, C Stakelum, L Loughnane.

Subs: N Loughnane for S Stakelum ( 56), K Stakelum for M Creedon ( 60), M Ralph for A Loughnane ( 60).

Referee: J Mullen ( Clare)