Oulart The Ballagh 4-08 Sarsfields 2-09

Úna Leacy helped herself to a hat-trick of goals as Wexford's Oulart The Ballagh got the better of Sarsfields from Galway in the 2020-21 All-Ireland senior camogie club final at Nowlan Park.

The winners withstood a rally from the westerners to deservedly take the title.

Leacy and Shelley Kehoe shot first-half goals in a repeat of the type of start that accounted for Slaughtneil in the semi-final and with a commendable performance of efficiency and energy that included Leacy completing a second-half hat-trick, there was no way back for Sarsfields, hard though they battled.

We need your consent to load this comcast-player contentWe use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences

It wasn't an ideal preparation for such a big game for the dual-parish outfit, who were bagging their third crown, having secured their first in 2012 when Leacy was captain.

This time around, it was her sister Mary who got to lift the Bill and Agnes Carroll Cup, and the siblings joined clubmate Karen Atkinson, on the bench on this occasion, as individuals who had captained club and county to ultimate glory.

The feat was achieved despite many of the players attending yesterday’s wedding of midfielder Stacey Kehoe, a twin of Shelley, but there was no hint of physical or mental lethargy as they took it to their opponents from the off in ideal conditions, with Stacey named player of the match after a sterling display.

Sarsfields actually struck the first point, from a Clodagh McGrath free after a foul on sister Orlaith, but at the water break, it was 2-04 to 0-01 and the champions were on the ropes.

Stacey Kehoe and Anais Curran gained the upper hand around the middle to ensure a constant flow of ball towards Leacy and Ursula Jacob, while Orlaith and Siobhán McGrath were starved at the other end.

Another Wexford All-Ireland-winning skipper, Ursula Jacob levelled from a free and Shelley Kehoe had Oulart in front, when Leacy reminded everyone of the genius poacher she has been throughout a storied career, despite being beset by a series of horrific injuries and operations to both knees over more than 20 years.

It was a sensational finish in the 10th minute, befitting of the stage. Maria Cooney, operating in a sweeper role like Mary Leacy at the other end, allowed a high ball bounce off her palm and Jacob pounced, before hand-passing to her long-time partner in crime.

One touch was required to bring the sliotar under control, another to bring into her striking zone and the third doubled it to the net.

Shelley Kehoe finished from close range two minutes later, after Lauren Glynn had denied both Katie Gallagher and Shauna Sinnott and Oulart were humming.

The second quarter was about consolidation, Niamh McGrath slotting two points from play for Sarsfields, including one that whistled just over the Oulart crossbar, but a wonder score by Shelley Kehoe was the highlight of the winners’ response as they went in at the short whistle leading by 2-07 to 0-04.

Sarsfields had the perfect start to their comeback bid with a Siobhán McGrath goal after her sister Clodagh’s long delivery was dropped by Ciara Storey but Úna Leacy punctured the Galway side’s momentum when dispossessing Laura Ward and kicking to the net little over a minute later.

The margin was still eight points at the three-quarter mark but when Klara Donohue’s mis-hit shot somehow ended in the Oulart net, it was game on once more.

But Leacy wasn’t finished and she racked up the hat-trick with a thunderbolt off the sod two minutes later.

Sarsfields would not yield easily however, displaying the heart of champions, with four points from the McGraths Orlaith (two), Siobhán (one) and Clodagh (one) but Shelley Kehoe had the final say.

Oulart The Ballagh: Lauren Sinnott, M Leacy, A Brennan, K Roche, A Dunne, C Storey, M O’Dowd, Stacey Kehoe, A Curran (0-01), K Gallagher (0-01), Shelley Kehoe (1-03), Louise Sinnott, Ú Leacy (3-00), U Jacob (0-3 (2fs)), Shauna Sinnott

Sarsfields: L Glynn, R Kelly, K Gallagher, L Ward, J Daly, A Deeley, T Kenny, N McGrath (0-02), C McGrath (0-03(2fs, 1 45)), K Donohue (1-00), O McGrath (0-02), S Spellman, S Corcoran, S McGrath (1-02), M Cooney. Subs: R Murray for Deeley (34), C Kenny for Daly (45)

Referee: Andy Larkin (Referee)