All-Ireland camogie champions Cork roar past Dublin back to Croke Park
Orlaith Cahalane of Cork shoots to score a goal during the Glen Dimplex Camogie All-Ireland semi-final win over Dublin. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Cork qualified for a fourth consecutive Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship decider by overcoming Dublin in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Rebels are heading back to Croke Park and deservedly so.
Ger Manley’s side will be eager to retain the O’Duffy Cup despite getting off to a sluggish start.
Dublin’s previous encounter with the reigning All-Ireland champions ended in a chastening 4-22 to 0-5 group loss at Pàirc Uí Chaoimh. This time around, Bill McCormack and Gerry McQuaid’s side, fresh off their quarter-final defeat of Kilkenny, gave a better account of themselves albeit in defeat.
Cork were just too strong with Orlaith Cahalane (two), Saoirse McCarthy and Sorcha McCartan’s goals ensuring there would be no upset. Whilst far from perfect, Cork did what they had to do and dominated from the second quarter onwards.
Things didn’t quite go to plan for Ger Manley’s side with the concession of a penalty inside the opening minute. Emma Flanagan was fouled but Amy Lee was equal to Aisling Maher’s penalty attempt. Dublin would regret wasting such a glorious opportunity.
Creditably, Maher converted a free to edge the Dubs ahead shortly after as the Leinster side enjoyed a bright start.
Laura Hayes settled Cork's nerves from a free prior to two excellent Saoirse McCarthy efforts moving the Rebels 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. Maher added her first from open play but Aoife Healy responded to restore her side’s two-point advantage.
Amy O’Connor (free) edged the Rebels further ahead before a flowing move ended with Saoirse McCarthy setting up Orla Cahalane for an 18th-minute goal. Hannah Looney’s long-range point made it 1-6 to 0-2 coming up to half time.
O’Connor grabbed her second and third points (one free) and Cliona Healy also split the posts. Another O’Connor free added to their opponents’ woes.
In truth, Dublin struggled to make an impact in the final third despite Amy Lee having to deny Elyse Jamieson-Murphy a rare goal attempt.
A 1-10 to 0-2 interval scoreline was a fair reflection of Cork’s dominance.
Laura Hayes got Cork’s first score of the second period but wayward passing and poor shooting saw Ger Manley’s side struggle to add to their total. A scrappy third quarter lacked quality until Sinead Wylde’s goal attempt forced Amy Lee into another stop.
Grace O’Shea’s point was Dublin’s first score since early in the first half but Cork's response was instant as Saoirse McCarthy slalomed through for her team’s second goal.
Aisling Maher free’s preceded a third and decisive Cork goal as sub Sorcha McCartan burst through and billowed the net.
Niamh Gannon and Orlaith Cahalane (free) exchanged scores before another Cork sub, Clodagh Finn, raised a white flag. Emma Flanagan scored for Dublin before the impressive Orlaith Cahalane replied at the opposite end.
A late flurry of scores, including a second Orlaith Cahalane goal, put the seal on Cork’s semi-final victory and now all roads lead to Croke Park.
O Cahalane (0-1 f) 2-2, S McCarthy 1-2, A O’Connor (0-3 f) 0-4, S McCartan 1-0, C Finn, L Hayes (1f) 0-2 each, A Healy, H Looney, C Healy, O Mullins, C O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
A Maher 0-5 (0-4 f), G O’Shea, N Gannon, E Flanagan, A Gannon 0-1 each.
A Lee; M Murphy, I O’Regan, P Mackey; H Looney, L Treacy, L Hayes; A Thompson, A Healy; S McCarthy, F Keating, C Healy; A O’Connor, K Mackey, O Cahalane.
S McCartan for K Mackey (41), C O’Sullivan for C Healy (41), N O’Callaghan for I O’Regan (48), O Mullins for F Keating (51), C Finn for A O’Connor (51).
A Gorman; A Ryan, E O’Byrne, Z Couch; C Gannon, K Finnegan, A McKearney; S Nolan, N Gannon; S Wylde, E Jamieson-Murphy, A Maher (c); G O’Shea, E Flanagan, A Gannon.
A Kenny for Z Couch (41), A Heffernan for S Nolan (42), G Skelton for E Jamieson-Murphy (46), N Comeford for S Wylde (55), H O’Dea for A Ryan (55).
Justin Heffernan (Wexford).
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