Cork fire three goals to see off camogie rivals Kilkenny at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Cork's Meabh Cahalane breaks out of defence past Kilkenny's Aobha O'Gorman, during their Very Camogie League Division 1A clash, at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture: David Keane
Cork made it three from three as they got the better of Kilkenny in their Very Division 1A camogie league clash at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh.
As expected they got a battle from the Cats and were lucky to be in front at half time, as the visitors had played much the better camogie for long periods of the first 30 minutes.
Cork were slow to settle and would be the first to admit that performance was nowhere near the high standards they expect of themselves. Kilkenny can take credit for some of that with some superb tackling and score-taking as they gave Cork no time to settle.
But the second half was a different affair with the likes of Saoirse McCarthy, Hannah Looney, and Millie Condon leading by example as Cork ran out deserving winners in the end.
Laura Murphy put Kilkenny in front and her midfield partner, Aobha O’Gorman, doubled their lead in the second minute.
The Cats were fast to settle and went further in front through Aoife Prendergast, before Cork had their first real scoring chance.
A great ball from Sorcha McCartan played Orlaith Cahalane in, but Aoife Norris saved superbly to deny her a goal.
McCartan got Cork off the mark after seven minutes with Kate Wall adding their second from the restart.
A free from Prendergast put two points between the sides as the visitors led by 0-4 to 0-2 with 10 minutes gone.
Kilkenny kept piling on the pressure and O’Gorman landed another to put three between the sides. Steffi Fitzgerald increased their lead as the Cats were playing the better camogie at this stage.
Cork then started to wake up and Orlaith Cahalane made sure with her second goal attempt, this time giving Norris no chance to save, to make it 0-6 to 1-2.
Prendergast and Saoirse McCarthy exchanged frees before Cahalane pointed to level it after 21 minutes.
Wall got her second point to put the Rebels in front for the first time as Cork started to move the ball with more accuracy.
McCartan extended their lead from a free before Murphy hit back with a magnificent point from distance for Kilkenny.
A long ball in from Murphy fell dangerously around the square and after a scramble, Amy Lee took the ball off the line to deny the Cats a goal.
McCartan pointed for Cork, with Caoimhe Keher Murtagh replying just before half-time to see the Rebels lead by 1-7 to 0-9 at the break.
Cahalane got the first score of the second half as Cork visibly upped their game, no doubt after some strong words at the break from their management team.
McCartan added another before Emma Murphy scored, while on as a blood sub for Wall.
McCartan added another from a free and repeated the feat in the 43rd minute as Cork now led by 1-12 to 0-9.
Katrina Mackey announced her return to action with a point before a magnificent solo goal from Saoirse McCarthy put the result beyond doubt.
Clodagh Finn added a point as Cork now led by 2-14 to 0-9 with 12 minutes remaining.
Niamh Deely got Kilkenny’s first score of the second half after 50 minutes with Asha McHardy adding another.
McCarthy with her second goal, McCartan and Ava Fitzgerald were among the late scorers for Cork as they ran out deserving winners in the end after a stern test from their opponents.
S McCarthy 2-1 (0-1 f), S McCartan 0-7 (0-4 f), O Cahalane 1-2, K Mackey, K Wall 0-2 each, C Finn, A Fitzgerald, E Murphy 0-1 each.
A Prendergast (0-2 f), L Murphy (0-1 45) 0-3 each, A O’Gorman, C Keher Murtagh 0-2 each, S Fitzgerald, N Deely, A McHardy 0-1 each.
A Lee; M Murphy, P Mackey, M Cahalane; H Looney, L Treacy, L Hayes; A Thompson, M Condon; S McCarthy, K Wall, C O’Sullivan; O Cahalane, S McCartan, C Finn.
K Mackey for C O’Sullivan, E Murphy for K Wall (bs) (both 38), E Murphy for M Condon (40), A Fitzgerald for K Wall (48), O Mullins for O Cahalane, R Harty for H Looney (both 55).
A Norris; M Teehan, T Fitzgerald, C Phelan; N Deely, C Dowling, D Quigley; L Murphy, A O’Gorman; M O’Connell, S Fitzgerald, K Doyle; C Keher Murtagh, L Green, A Prendergast.
C Doheny for M O’Connell (ht), A McHardy for A O’Gorman (44), A Brett for M Teehan (45), S Dwyer for A Prendergast (51).
Ray Kelly, Kildare.
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