Shona Cronin and Clara Murphy hit goals as Cork minor camogie team storm back in Kilkenny

Kilkenny 1-13 Cork 3-10 

Two second-half Shona Cronin goals helped Cork overcome Kilkenny after the hosts got the perfect to this Electric Ireland Minor Championship group clash in Kilkenny.

The reward for the Munster champions is a home semi-final in the All-Ireland series.

Ciara O'Shea finished to the net in the opening seconds but the Rebels responded well, captain Rachel Murphy and Tara Goulding narrowing the gap with two points.

Kilkenny stretched their advantage as Lucy Boyd hit three points in a row, one from play, as the Cork defence was put under pressure. With Molly Conroy and Eleanor Doherty (2) on target Kilkenny led by seven points, 1-6 to 0-2, after 15 minutes.

Cork needed a response to get back on track and they got it with Clara Murphy finishing to the net. They took control and cut the deficit with a Catherine Murphy point to put three between the sides. 

Cronin and Murphy added scores and it was Kilkenny leading by a point, 1-6 to 1-5, at half time.

The second half was nip and tuck as the sides swapped points with Ona Kennedy and Lucy Boyd keeping Kilkenny in front as Shanna Cronin, Clara Murphy and Ava McAuliffe ensured Cork stayed on their heels.

After 51 minutes, Cork hit the front for the first time with a Shona Cronin goal. Three minutes later Molly Conroy had Kilkenny back on level though before Ona Kennedy edged the home side ahead again.

Battling hard, Cork grabbed a vital goal through Cronin to go up by two points with a minute remaining. Rachel Murphy added a point to ensure a superb victory for a battling Cork side who recovered well from a strong Kilkenny start.

Scorers for Kilkenny: L Boyd 0-5 (0-2 f, 0-1 45), O Kennedy 0-4 (0-3 f), C O'Shea 1-0, M Conroy, E Doherty 0-2 each.

Cork: S Cronin 2-3 (0-3 f), Clara Murphy 1-1, R Murphy 0-3, Catherine Murphy, A McAuliffe, T Goulding 0-1 each.

KILKENNY: J Saunders; C Power, G Brennan, J Smith; R Hayden, O Kennedy, T Alward; R Phelan, E Doherty; L Boyd, C O'Shea, A O'Sullivan; E Phelan, C Hickey, M Conroy.

Subs: N Davis for R Hayden , (35), S Doheny for C Power (40), E Walton for J Saunders (50), S Ronan for A O'Sullivan (50)

CORK: A Kearney (Blackrock); S Cunningham (Erin’s Own), L Ahern (Éire Óg), A McGrath (Éire Óg); A Cagney (Mallow), C Ryan (Newtownshandrum), A Cussen (Ballinhassig); J Murphy (Blackrock), Catherine Murphy (Kinsale); Clare Murphy (Éire Óg), R Murphy (Ballinora, c), A Mc Auliffe (Castlemartyr); T Goulding (Ballincollig), S Cronin (Valley Rovers), K O'Sullivan (Midleton).

Subs: M Lombard (Ballinhassig) for A Cagney, C Horgan (Sliabh Rua) for K O'Sullivan (41), A Mulkerins (St Catherine’s) for Clara Murphy, A McSweeney for T Goulding (57).