Heartbreak for Newcastle West in Munster senior club camogie semi-final

IT WAS heartbreak for Newcastle West in the Munster senior camogie semi-final after a one point defeat to Sarsfields, of Cork, on a scoreline of 2-09 to 0-16 on Sunday afternoon at Castle Road. 

Despite scoring two goals in the second-half from Karen O'Leary and Meadhbh Ambrose, Newcastle West were unable to get ahead of their Cork opponents.

Testing conditions saw both sides relying on frees to gain many of their scores with both Meadhbh Ambrose for Newcastle West and Kate Fennessy for Sarsfields being their teams' top scorers. 

The first-half was a tough battle for both sides with Sarsfields starting the better, with two quick points from full-forward Kate Fennessy. 

Newcastle West struggled to retain much possession with Rebecca Delee becoming their only attacking threat, scoring crucial points after ten minutes of play. The Limerick side were hindered by the blinding sun directly behind their scoring posts. 

Despite the desperate conditions both sides clocked up impressive points, but Sarsfields kept their lead at the break 0-09 to Newcastle West's 0-06.  

Dual star, Karen O'Leary got her side off to a flying start at the beginning of the second-half with a cracking goal from play to level the sides. 

Sarsfields replied almost immediately with a point from a Fennessy free to keep them one point ahead of the Treaty team. 

The sides continued to draw level multiple times in the second-half, exchanging point for point on the scoreboard. 

Sarsfields began to dominate when it mattered most and fired over four unanswered points in the final five minutes of the game to put them well ahead. 

A huge goal from Meadhbh Ambrose in the dying minutes wasn't enough and Sarsfields came away with the win 2-09 to 0-16. 

NEWCASTLE WEST SCORERS: Karen O'Leary 1-0, Meadhbh Ambrose 1-0, Rebecca Delee 0-07 (0-05 frees), Ellie Woufe 0-01, Roisin Ambrose 0-01, 

SARSFIELDS CORK SCORERS: Kate Fennessy 0-08 (0-06 frees), Hollie Herlihy 0-04, Lucy Allen 0-02, Rachel Roche 0-01, Katlyn Sheehan 0-01, 

NEWCASTLE WEST: Aoife Corbett, Shauna Tobin, Yvonne Lee, Roisin Mann, Laura Walshe, Kate Ambrose, Grace Lee, Karen O'Leary, Ellie Woulfe, Lucy O'Brien, Rebecca Delee, Kate Foley, Gerl-Mal O'Kelly, Roisin Ambrose, Roisin Browne.

SUBS: Lilly Duggan for Shauna Tobin (Half-Time), Meadhbh Ambrose for Roisin Ambrose (38 minutes), Eabha Collins for Roisin Browne (51 minutes)

SARSFIELD CORK: Molly Lynch, Laura Dunlea, Ellen Murphy, Olivia McAllen, Niamh O'Callaghan, Clion Lynch, Lucy Kelly, Ava Fitzgerald, Evie Twomey, Orlaith Mullins, Lucy Allen, Hollie Herlihy, Rachel Roche, Kate Fennessy, Katlyn Sheehan.

SUBS: Ella Woods for Kate Fennessy (55 minutes)