Classy Barrs bank three in a row, with unique treble now on cards

The Barrs win camogie title, with the club's Premier senior hurlers and footballers preparing for upcoming deciders.

St Finbarr's captain Stephanie Punch and players celebrate after defeating Blackrock in the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship final at MTU. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Cork senior camogie final: St Finbarr’s 3-14 Blackrock 0-4 

St Finbarr’s proved a class apart in the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship final at MTU on Sunday by winning their third consecutive title - a feat that was last achieved by Inniscarra from 2016-2018.

More battle-hardened than their opponents, they also secured the first part of what they hope will be a three-trophy sweep in Togher, with the Barrs Premier senior hurlers and footballers preparing for upcoming deciders.

Before a huge crowd, newcomers Blackrock seeking a first senior title since 1952, collided with a sea of Blue, everywhere they turned they were swarmed and hunted down.

It was an All-Star cast display.

Player of the Match and Player of the Year nominee Sorcha McCartan turned in another spectacular performance, as well as scoring 1-9, she initiated the third goal for sub Ella Wigginton Barrett.

Orlaith Cahalane’s deft finish to the far bottom corner in the 26th minute, set up by a precise delivery from her sister Kate, made it 1-8 to 0-3 at the interval.

Thanks to their unbreakable defence, the champions minus five of last year’s starting team, haven’t conceded a goal during the entire season, a defence that is headed up by the legendary Gemma O’Connor, who returned to her number six role this year.

“Sorcha is top class, we know that,” manager Brian O’Sullivan said.

“But it is built on our defence as well and that is testament to Ciara (goalkeeper, Hurley) and the girls coming off the bench. They set the foundation for the girls up top.

“That is what the club is about, bringing younger girls through.” In 2025 St Finbarr’s went all the way to the All-Ireland club final, O’Sullivan said they weren’t looking that far ahead.

“Cork is so hard to get out of, it is a minefield. Our focus was on getting out of the group and moving through the knockout stages.

“We didn’t speak about three-in-a-row much, but it is great for the club, absolutely.

“The hurlers and footballers are flying too, which is great. It is all about the players. They are putting in phenomenal effort on the pitch and off the pitch and there is great credit due to them, it doesn’t happen by coincidence.

“We’ll celebrate tonight and we’ll look forward to the hurling next weekend.” 

St Finbarr's Orlaith Cahalane breaks from Blackrock's Maeve Cashman during the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship final at MTU. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

There was a worry for Blackrock coming into the decider, who were promoted to top-flight camogie three years ago, that they could be up against it.

Getting the better of Courcey Rovers in the semi-final proved they are capable and Aidan Ryan’s squad will learn from this, but firm favourites St Finbarr’s were always expected to prevail.

Hayley Ryan posted the opening score for Blackrock.

However, once McCartan gained a foothold and the Barrs started working the sliotar through the lines, they began to pull away.

The difficulty of playing in such testing conditions cannot be underestimated either. Half of the dozen first-half scores were from frees, with McCartan drilling over five.

Ryan and Cliona O’Callaghan grabbed the other two for Blackrock.

While an eight-point deficit at half time was manageable, McCartan had other ideas. Her quick 1-1 after the restart - the goal initiated by Wigginton Barrett who was only moments on the field - and the game was done and dusted.

Wigginton Barrett’s major in the 44th minute was role reversal with McCartan supplying the pass.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: S McCartan (1-9, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45), O Cahalane (1-1), E Wigginton Barrett (1-0), A Shannon, N Olden, C Golden and K Wall (0-1 each).

Scorers for Blackrock: H Ryan (0-3, 0-1 free), C O’Callaghan (0-1 free).

ST FINBARR’S: C Hurley; S Punch (Capt), A Egan, K Cahalane; M Cahalane, G O’Connor, A O’Neill; L O’Donovan, A Shannon; N Olden, K Wall, C Golden; E Hurley, O Cahalane, S McCartan.

Subs: E Wiggonton Barrett for E Hurley (37), A Byrne for N Olden (45), I Keegan for K Cahalane (50), G Fitzgerald for M Cahalane, H Fitzpatrick for L O’Donovan (57).

BLACKROCK: A Kearney; K Lyons, M Kennedy, M Cashman; A Leahy, K Hickey, O Grimley (Capt); H Ryan, A Hegarty; B O’Shaughnessy, S McCarthy, M Murphy; C O’Callaghan, E Curtin, J Murphy.

Subs: A O’Farrell for M Murphy (11 inj), M Coffey for J Murphy (42), M Ryan for K Lyons, L McKeogh for S McCarthy (both 47), K O’Sullivan for E Curtin (51).

Referee: Cathal McAllister (Aghada).