Sarsfields are through to their second successive All Ireland senior camogie final, having overcome former foes Slaughtneil of Derry by 2-4 to 0-9 in the rescheduled semi-final at Gorey's Naomh Éanna ground.
It ensures Michael McGrath's women will once again face Oulart-The Ballagh in repeat of the 2020 decider held before Christmas, which the Wexford outfit won by 4-8 to 2-9.
Slaughtneil had entered Sunday's semi-final against Sarsfields as the first team to have won six consecutive Ulster titles. They also had the advantage of having prevailed in two of their three All Ireland finals. But Sarsfields, with fresh memories of their third joust and a first All Ireland crown, delivered two crucial goals to level the honours and see them through to their fifth final in six years.
In atrocious conditions, Siobhán McGrath and Tina Bradley were the scorers as the winners led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the interval. With few opportunities, Louise Dougan brought the teams level for the third time with a long-distance free in the second half.
With nine minutes remaining, another Bradley free had the Derry side in front, but from that puck out, Galway produced a timely magnficent goal with nine minutes left .
Orlaith McGrath won possession from a ruck and soloed through the heart of the maroons’ defence. But just as she lost her footing and looked to be held up, she offloaded to Corcoran, who shortened her grip to avoid the hook and lashed to the net.
Slaughtneil never gave up with Bradley reducing the gap to the minimum with a free before Shannon Graham equalised in injury time after tremendous work by Aoife Ní Chaiside and Sinéad Mellon to make it 1-3 to 0-6.
After the game went into extra time, the Derry outfit took a lead through a super point from a free. However, Sarsfields were not finished, and after Corcoran was fouled at the other end of the field, Siobhán McGrath rifled the resultant penalty low to the net.
When sister Orlaith followed up with an excellent solo score, she made it a three-point game at the extra-time break.
Slaughtneil, as expected, never gave up, but all they could manage was two pointed frees by Dougan as time ran out for the former three-in-a-row champions.
Sarsfields will now meet Oulart-The Ballagh, who were winners over Scariff-Ogonnelloe. The Wexford outfit used a strong wind to establish a 1-7 to 0-0 interval lead, and when goal machine Úna Leacy scored the first of her two second-half majors early after the resumption it sucked the life out of Scariff-Ogonnelloe.
In the intermediate championship, Galway's Salthill-Knocknacarra are through the the final, and will play champions St Rynagh’s. Salthill-Knocknacarra defeating Portaferry (Down ) by 0-10 to 1-4, while Rynagh’s overcame Gailltír of Waterford by 2-11 to 1-11.
