Cork Camogie: Cliona O'Callaghan on form as Blackrock bounce back against Ballinora

Blackrock 1-17 Ballinora 0-9 

Blackrock bounced back from their disappointing display against Courcey Rovers in the SE Systems Camogie Championship at Na Piarsaigh against a Ballinora side who fell to a second group loss.

Played on an excellent pitch, the pace of the opening half was fast. Ballinora opened with the excellent Rachel Murphy converting an early free but Maeve Coffey levelled from play as the sides settled.

As Rachel Muprhy and Michelle Murphy swapped points, the Blackrock attack's movement was causing problems, as they drew the Ballinora defence out the pitch to open up space inside. Points from Michelle Murphy and a long-range Kaitlin Hickey effort had the Rockies two clear after the opening quarter.

Cliona O'Callaghan, lining out at full-forward, was roving and picking up a lot of ball and she edged Blackrock three in front with a long strike. They were guilty of wayward shooting as they continued to press, with Murphy's two scores cutting the deficit down to the minimum.

The Muskerry side were dogged but finding it hard to break down a resolute defence.

With five minutes to the break Blackrock hit a purple patch, as they outscored Ballinora 0-5 to 0-1. Hayley Ryan had a free and one form play while the impressive O’Callaghan nailed from play. Cliona Dooley did score for Ballinora but at the interval they were down 0-10 to 0-5.

Ballinora needed a good start to the second half but the city side stretched their lead with two from the lively Murphy and a Ryan free. Twice the sides swapped points, as O'Callaghan and Ryan struck again but Ballinora were overreliant on Murphy.

Blackrock were pushing forward and their strength was beginning to wear Ballinora down. Eimear Wolfe and Rose Muprhy were defiant for Ballinora but they were dealt a killer blow after 47 minutes when O'Callaghan got on the end of a long-range fee and finished to the net.

Now 11 points clear Blackrock were pushing for the finishing line. Kate O'Sullivan and Mairead Kennedy added to Blackrock's tally as the reliable Murphy clipped two more points for a Ballinora side that worked to the final whistle.

Scorers for Blackrock: C O'Callaghan 1-5, H Ryan 0-4 (0-3 f), M Murphy 0-3, M Coffey, J O'Keeffe, K Hickey, K O'Sullivan, M Kennedy 0-1 each.

Ballinora: Rachel Murphy 0-8 (0-5 f), C Dooley 0-1.

BLACKROCK: A Kearney; K Lyons, M Ryan, M Cashman; A Hegarty, K Hickey, O Grimley; J O'Keeffe, M Kennedy; M Coffey, H Ryan, S McCarthy; E Curtin, C O'Callaghan, M Murphy.

Subs: K O'Sullivan for E Curtin (38), A O'Farrell for S McCarthy (42), J Murphy for M Coffey (42).

BALLINORA: T O’Donoghue; E McAuliffe, S O'Keeffe, J Murphy; A O'Riordan, M Murphy, G Keohane; A Quirke, E Wolfe; Rose Murphy, N Kingston, Rachel Murphy; L O'Neill, A Murphy, C Dooley.

Subs: J Mehigan for M Murphy (inj 20), C O'Flynn for N Kingston (h-t).

Referee: Ricky O'Callaghan (Carrigaline).