Cork U23 camogie team lay down an early marker by blitzing Kilkenny

Cork 2-16 Kilkenny 0-8 

It was shorts versus skorts as the opening group game of the first U23 All-Ireland camogie series at Páirc Uí Rinn. 

Kilkenny were sporting shorts after the motion passed on Thursday night giving players the option, with Cork in skorts as proceeding got underway smoothly with the Rebels up and running as they recorded a 14-point victory. 

Amy Sheppard was the star of the show for Cork, hitting 2-6. Kilkenny had the aid of the wind on a greasy surface but the hosts hit the front early with a Sheppard goal inside the opening minute, while Sinead Farrell was forced into two more saves in the opening exchanges.

Sheppard and Isobel Sheehan had Cork five points clear inside five minutes before Ellen Gunner replied with what was to be Kilkenny’s only score from play in the opening half.

Up front, Cork pace's troubled Kilkenny with Sheppard, Orlaith Mullins and Niamh McNabola to the fore while the midfield pairing of Millie Condon and Ava Fitzgerald hoovered up possession. 

Sheppard converted two frees with Rachel Dowling doing the same at the other end but the Cork defence efficiently dealt with anything Kilkenny threw at them. Mullins and McNabola stretched the Cork lead, though Downing kept the scoreboard ticking from placed balls for the Cats.

The Rebels led 1-7 to 0-5 at the break with the wind to come

Cork continued to hold the upper hand through the second half confining Kilkenny to one point from play. Their movement off the ball and awareness all over the field was far superior.

Sheppard clipped over an early free and though Amy Brennan responded, Condon, Eimear Duignan and Rose Murphy were all on target for the home side.

Farrell denied Isobel Sheehan with a superb save at the three-quarter stage but Cork were in complete control. 

They fired over points from all angles before a superb goal from Sheppard finished the game off in style for a Cork side who won the Munster title already and if they can continue this pace will certainly take beating.

Scorers for Cork: A Sheppard 2-6 (0-5 f), N McNabola 0-2, I Sheehan, M Condon, O Mullins, E Duignan, R Murphy, E Curtin, A Fitzgerald, N Olden 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: R Dowling 0-6 f, E Gunner, A Brennan 0-1 each.

CORK: C Buckley (Inniscarra); A Cashman (Youghal), C Kingston (Newcestown), L Dunlea (Sarsfields); E Duignan (Mallow), D O'Brien(Enniskeane), M Ring (Aghabullogue); M Condon (Ballinascarthy), A Fitzgerald (Sarsfields); I Sheehan (Éire Óg), O Mullins (Sarsfields), N McNabola (Cloughduv); A Sheppard (Cloughduv), C Keane (Inniscarra), R Murphy (Ballinora).

Subs: S Hurley (Sarsfields) for M Ring (h-t), E Curtin (Blackrock) for C Keane (45), T McCarthy (Glen Rovers) for A Cashman (57), E O'Donoghue (Bishopstown) for N McNabola (57), A McCarthy (Clonakilty) for E Duignan (57, bs), N Olden for I Sheehan (57).

KILKENNY: S Farrell; H Larkin, L Nolan, S Kerr; T McGrath (c), K Brenna, A Browne; K Ryan, L Phelan; E Mulhall, R Dowling, E Gunner; L Ronan, A Cody, A Brennan.

Subs: R Kelly for K Brenna (26), M Gannon for E Mulhall (51). 

Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow).