Sorcha McCartan leads way as Cork ease past Dublin in Very Camogie League Division 1A clash
Cork's Sorcha McCartan is chased by Dublin's Emma O'Byrne in St Peregrine's, Blakestown. Picture: Moya Nolan
Cork made it two from two after their win over Dublin in their Very Camogie League Division 1A clash at St Peregrine’s GAA Club, Dublin on Saturday.
From start to finish they were in control as they built on their win over Waterford a week ago.
This was a far more physical encounter than their first outing, something they were well aware it would be in advance.
But Cork were simply too good for their opponents again, with some outstanding performances from the likes of Sorcha McCartan, Laura Hayes, Niamh O’Leary, Clodagh Finn, Aoife O'Neill and Aoife Healy. The first half could have been dubbed the McCartan show as the full forward scored eight of Cork’s first-half tally of 13.
Six were from frees as the Dublin defence were finding it difficult to hold the Cork attack, led by McCartan, with Kate Wall also working hard throughout.
The major concern Cork will have from this game are the injuries picked up by Izzy O’Regan and Ashling Thompson, with the former the more serious of the two and she could be looking at a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
McCartan opened the scoring from a free in the first minute as Cork dominated early on with the wind at their backs.
From the restart they were unlucky not to goal as Eimear Hurley saved well from Ava Fitzgerald. Hurley who plays with Cuala in Dublin is the sister of the St Finbarr’s and Cork intermediate keeper, Ciara.
Aoife McKearney had Dublin back on level terms from a free, before Cork hit five without reply.
Emma Murphy put them back in front, before Saoirse McCarthy increased Cork’s lead from a free.
McCartan got her second before it looked like Cork should have had a penalty.
Hannah Looney and Orlaith Cahalane combined to play Clodagh Finn in and it looked like she was pulled down. But the referee disagreed and waved the ball wide.
Finn scored from the restart with McCarthy adding another, to make it 0-6b to 0-1 after 10 minutes.
Claire Gannon scored from long range for Dublin, but again Cork responded in style.
Three frees in a row from McCartan put Cork further ahead, as they were making good use of the wind.
She added another and a sixth in a row for her to make it 0-11 to 0-2 after 24 minutes.
Finn rounded off the first half scoring as Cork were well in control by 0-13 to 0-2 at half time.
McKearney hit two early frees for Dublin, with McCarthy replying as they came more into the tie using the wind.
Cahalane and Wall replied to keep Cork well in control as they led by 0-16 to 0-4 after 40 minutes.
Gabby Couch and Aine Rafter pointed for the home side, with Ciara O’Sullivan and Meadhbh Ring replying for Cork.
Two late frees from McKearney, with a point from Isabel Davis in between rounded off the scoring as Cork ran out deserving winners.
A McKearney 0-6 f, C Gannon, G Couch, N Comerford, I Davis 0-1 each.
S McCartan 0-8 (0-6 f), S McCarthy 0-3 (0-2 f), C Finn, C O’Sullivan 0-2 each, E Murphy, K Wall, O Cahalane, A Fitzgerald, M Ring 0-1 each.
E Hurley; A Ryan, C Shanahan, E O’Byrne; C Gannon, K Finnegan, N Comerford; A Rafter, G Couch; A McKearney, S Wylde, A Heffernan; A O’Neill, E Moran, A Gannon.
R Ní Chathasaigh for A Heffernan (39), G Skelton for K Finnegan (44 inj), I Davis for C Shanahan (50), E Flanagan for E Moran (54).
A Lee; M Murphy, N O’Leary, P Mackey; I O’Regan, A Healy, L Hayes; H Looney, A Fitzgerald; E Murphy, K Wall, S McCarthy; C Finn, S McCartan, O Cahalane.
L Treacy for I O’Regan (8 inj), M Condon for A Healy (ht), O Mullins for C Finn, C O’Sullivan for E Murphy (both 38), A O'Neill for N O'Leary (47)
R Harty for K Wall (47), M De Burca for A Fitzgerald, A Thompson for H Looney (51), M Ring for A Thompson (56 head inj).
Joseph Mullins, Clare.
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