Cork defeat Offaly to reach both camogie All-Ireland finals

Cork 2-13 Offaly 0-13 

The Cork intermediate will join their seniors in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day after they fashioned a hard-fought victory over Offaly at FBD Semple Stadium. 

While all the plaudits will go to their scorers, huge credit has to go to their defence as well, who stood firm under huge Offaly pressure, especially in the closing stages where Player of the Match Aoife Barrett was superb.

Despite playing against the strong wind in the opening half Cork settled quickly and inside 10 minutes led by three points, their pace causing Offaly a lot of bother as they worked the lines well finding players in space. Clodagh Leahy pointed an early Offaly free but Cork hit the next four all from play Lauren Homan with three and Cliona Dooley with one settling Cork.

Cork’s defence was strong, Emma Flanagan and Aoife Barrett were impressive dealing comfortably with any Offaly attacks and forcing them into shooting the Offaly wides tally was at five on 14  minutes.

Grace Teehan and Lauren Homan traded points as Cork stretched their lead to three points at the end of the opening quarter. Offaly began to find gaps and win frees though and were level with Clodagh Leahy slotting over three points without reply as Cork went 12 minutes without a score.

Teehan edged Offaly in front with their second score from play but Cork were back on level with a Homan free. From the puck-out they attacked again Homan's initial shot was blocked by a defender but she slotted the rebound to the net for the game’s opening goal.

Cork extended their lead to four points with Homan again on target with a close-in free but responding Offaly’s Clodagh Leahy converted two frees as Cork led by two 1-7 to 0-8 at the break.

Offaly applied huge early second-half pressure and were camped in the Cork half for the opening 10 minutes but strong defending held them at bay.

Leahy converted an Offaly free to cut the deficit to a point and it was 10 minutes in before Cork had it back to a two-point lead. Three in a row, Olivia McAllen with one and Eimear Duignan with two, had Cork five clear but back came Offaly with four without reply as they cut the gap to a point. 

Crucially they could not get level such was the determination of the Cork defence.

Cliona Dooley and Laura Doyle pointed to give Cork breathing space. With three points between the sides Offaly again pressed for a goal but again the Cork defence stood firm. 

Mounting a counter-attack Dooley made no mistake rattling the back of the net to ensure their place in the final was secure.

Scorers for Cork: L Homan 1-7 (0-4 f), C Dooley 1-2, E Duignan 0-2, L Doyle, O McAllen 0-1 each.

Offaly: C Leahy 0-9 f, G Teehan 0-2, A O Connor, G Kennedy 0-1 each.

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

Subs: E Duignan (Mallow) for T McCarthy (41), L Allen (Sarsfields) for E Sheehan (49), K Walsh (Glen Rovers) for L Buttimer (53), E Curtin for N O'Regan (58).

OFFALY: L Gallagher; S Shanahan, C Fogarty, O Gorman; O Phelan, E Regan (c), A Roddy; F Mulrooney, C Leahy; C Teehan, C Ryan, M Jennings; F Dooley, A Byrne, B Bryant.

Subs: A O'Connor for M Jennings, H Feenane for A Roddy (both h-t), G Kennedy for C Ryan (43), D Cashen for E Regan (48), L Harding for B Bryant (57).

Referee: Karol Collins (Galway).