Cork edge out Offaly at Castle Road in intermediate camogie championship

Cork 0-15 Offaly 1-11 

IN a game that was level on no fewer than seven occasions Cork had to work hard to grind out a narrow win in an entertaining Glen Dimplex Intermediate Championship clash in Castle Road. 

A Cliona O'Callaghan point three minutes into injury time helped the home side to just about get over the line.

Despite playing with the aid of a strong wind in the opening half Offaly elected to play with a sweeper but it was Cork who handled it better as they used possession well and went 0-6 to 0-1 in front after 13 minutes. Offaly regrouped and went one-on-one. The second quarter belonged to them as they slowly reeled Cork in hitting 1-5 without reply to lead at the break 1-6 to 0-6.

Mairead Jennings had opened the Offaly account with a point but with Cork ran at the Offaly defence and Lauren Homan slotted over the frees they won. Eimear Duignan and Homan from play made it 0-6 to 0-1 before Offaly clawed their way back, including a Faye Mulroney effort that ended up in the net.

Aided by the wind Cork were back level inside 10 minutes of the restart thanks to two Homan frees and one from play. From there it was nip and tuck as two strong defences worked hard.

Mairead Jennings edged Offaly in front  but Homan responded from a free. It continued score for score through Becky Bryant, Niamh O'Regan, Faye Mulrooney and Claire Dooley.

As the game entered injury time the sides were deadlocked 0-14 to 1-11 before Cliona O'Callaghan struck.

Offaly pushed forward winning a long-range free but the Cork defence stood firm. Again Offaly came in search of the equaliser however Bryant’s attempt from play went narrowly wide to the sound of the full time whistle.

A hard-fought victory for Cork as they move onto round three and meeting with Wexford in two weeks.

Scorers for Cork: L Homan 0-10 ( 0-6 f, 0-1 45), N O'Regan 0-2, C Dooley, E Duignan, C O'Callaghan 0-1 each.

Offaly: M Jennings 0-8 (0-6 f), F Mulrooney 1-1, B Bryant, C Ryan 0-1 each.

CORK: C Hurley (St Finbarr’s); A Barrett (Aghabullogue), N O'Leary (Brian Dillon’s), E Flanagan (Aghabullogue); L Doyle (Charleville), O McAllen (Sarsfields), M Ring (Aghabullogue); T McCarthy (Glen Rovers), L Buttimer (Cloughduv); E Duignan (Mallow), L Homan (Brian Dillon’s), E Sheehan(Éire Óg); N O'Regan (St Catherine’s) , C O’ Callaghan (Blackrock), C Dooley (Ballinora).

Subs: F Nelligan (Charleville) for E Duignan (25), H O'Leary (St Finbarr’s) for E Sheehan(32), O Keating (Ballincollig) for L Buttimer(32), A Cashman (Youghal) for T McCarthy (45), E O'Donoghue (Bishopstown) for F Nelligan (inj 48).

OFFALY: L Gallagher; D Cashen, C Fogarty, O Gorman; S Shannahan, A Byrne, K Kennedy; F Mulrooney, G Teehan; C Leahy, C Ryan, M Jennings; F Dooley, A O'Connor, B Bryant.

Subs: A Roddy for A Byrne (inj 8), H Feenane for D Cashen (25). 

Referee: Mike Ryan (Tipperary).