Barrs survive fierce battle with Newcastle West to clinch Munster semi-final in extra time

Sorcha McCartan, fires over a point to seal the win in the second period of extra time for St Finbarr’s vs Newcastle West in the AIB Club Championship semi-final at Togher, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

St Finbarr’s (Cork) 2-19 Newcastle West (Limerick) 3-14 (after double extra-time) 

St Finbarr’s prevailed by two points in an absorbing AIB Munster senior camogie club championship semi-final at St Finbarr’s on Saturday after they survived a fierce battle with Newcastle West.

With the sides deadlocked after 20 minutes of extra-time (2-16 to 3-13), points from Ciara Golden, Orlaith Cahalane and Sorcha McCartan eventually decided the outcome.

Newcastle West’s sole reply was from Rebecca Delee in those extra two periods of five minutes.

It ended a battle for the ages played in difficult conditions, albeit the surface in the Togher club was in excellent condition.

That these sides remained inseparable throughout was due to a relentless Newcastle West, it was the three-in-a-row Limerick champions who forced extra-time and double extra-time.

The teams were level on five occasions in the opening half and it was seven points each before McCartan drilled a 20 metre free to the net in the 31st minute to give the Barrs an interval lead of 1-7 to 0-8.

Kate Ambrose was accurate from placed balls for the visitors, as well Delee and Róisín Ambrose pointed.

Ambrose and McCartan’s shooting from distance was top-quality.

And respective goalkeepers Aoife Corbett and Ciara Hurley were exemplary too.

The strength of the defences was the story of the second half.

Joy for St Finbarr’s after they beat Newcastle West in the AIB Club Championship semi-final at Togher. Picture: Larry Cummins

McCartan, who totalled 1-9, sent over a free two minutes after the restart, but neither side would score again until five minutes from time.

Before we explain the frantic finish, Newcastle West were left to regret a 42nd minute penalty that was stopped by Hurley when Delee’s effort was struck straight at the ‘keeper.

St Finbarr’s moved 1-9 to 0-9 in front and when sub Eimear Hurley grabbed their second goal in the 60th minute, it appeared to be enough to get them over the line.

Newcastle West captain Karen O’Leary had other ideas and her goal a minute into stoppage time kept their hopes alive.

An Orlaith Cahalane point seemed to have settled it once again, but a Kate Ambrose free reduced the deficit to one score, 2-10 to 1-10.

It was Kate Ambrose again who levelled it, her free from 50 metres in the 64th minute somehow ended up in the net - Ambrose would finish with 2-7.

Extra-time began with Delee putting Newcastle West ahead. Her point was cancelled by McCartan. Delee again inched them in front. Keeva McCarthy picked one off from a free, and Delee had the last say. By the break, it was Newcastle West by one (2-13 to 2-12).

The home side stepped on the gas to move one in front.

A third Newcastle West goal arrived in the 78th minute when Geri Mai O’Kelly delivered and Kate Ambrose applied the finish, 2-14 to 3-13.

At that moment, it was the Barrs who had to find a response. In the second and fourth minute of added time, Orlaith Cahalane and Keeva McCarthy (free) tied the game for the 10th time, 2-16 to 3-13.

The excitement racked up further with two more periods of five minutes.

It was only at this juncture that St Finbarr’s could finally pull away.

The final on Saturday week November 22 will be against De La Salle of Waterford after they overcame Thurles Sarsfields after another thriller, 2-21 to 3-16.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: S McCartan (1-9, 1-6 frees), E Hurley (1-1), K McCarthy (0-4, 0-3 frees), O Cahalane (0-3), C Golden and K Wall (0-1 each).

Scorers for Newcastle West: K Ambrose (2-7, 1-6 frees, 0-1 45), R Delee (0-5), K O’Leary (1-0), H Horgan and R Ambrose (0-1 each).

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

Subs: E Hurley for N Olden (36), L O’Donovan for S Daly (45), E Wigginton Barrett for H O’Leary (77), K Cahalane for A O’Neill (90 inj).

NEWCASTLE WEST: A Corbett; G Lee, R Mann, Y Lee; R Ambrose, L O’Brien, E Woulfe; K O’Leary (Capt), D Murphy; K Ambrose, R Delee, E Whelan; H Horgan, G M O’Kelly, M Smith.

Subs: E Collins for E Whelan (44), I O’Brien for G M O’Kelly (57), G M O’Kelly for G Lee (70 inj), E Whelan for M Smith (76 inj).

Referee: Johnny Dooley (Tipperary).