Cork senior camogie team continue their relentless pursuit of three in a row with a big win over Tipperary

Tipperary 1-9 Cork 3-21

Cork added another convincing win to their one over Limerick as they were too strong for Tipperary in their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship round robin clash at the Ragg on Saturday.

Like the U23 side, who played before them, Cork were far too strong for Tipp and after 10 minutes this game was effectively over as a contest.

By then Cork had scored their three goals and were well on top, with Amy O’Connor leading the Tipp defence a merry dance. She was helped by the likes of Clodagh Finn, Katrina Mackey and Saoirse McCarthy, to name a few.

Ashling Thompson and Hannah Looney were in charge in the middle of the pitch and credit must go to the former for holding her head all through.

Some of the off-the-ball treatment on Thompson was well over the top and how it wasn’t picked up by the officials is a mystery. She didn’t react and instead beat them where it mattered most – on the scoreboard.

Defensively Cork were as strong as ever with Meabh Murphy and Laura Hayes outstanding and captain, Meabh Cahalane, led by example.

Cork were in front after just 20 seconds when Laura Hayes played O’Connor in and she slotted over the bar.

Hayes added a second herself before Cork had their first goal.

Katrina Mackey played the ball to Clodagh Finn and she picked up where she left off a week earlier by finding the back of the net

Their second goal soon followed with Orlaith Cahalane and Saoirse McCarthy combining beautifully to set up O’Connor, to make it 2-2 to 0-1, after nine minutes.

The third goal followed a minute later when Finn returned the favour to Mackey, with the latter slotting home, to make it 3-2 to 0-1.

O’Connor added a free, before Mary Burke found the back of the net at the other end, after some good work by Roisin Howard.

But it didn’t faze Cork with O’Connor, McCarthy and Mackey all adding points

Sarah Corcoran pulled a point back for Tipp, to make it 1-2 to 3-6 after 20 minutes.

That proved to be their last score of the half as Cork were totally dominant at this stage.

O’Connor, Emma Murphy and Mackey all scored to push them further ahead.

Four in row from O’Connor, three frees, saw them well in control by half time, as they led by 3-13 to 1-2.

Tipp had the wind in the second half and started well, with Karen Kennedy hitting two points, along with one from Howard.

But Cork hit back with four from O’Connor making it 3-17 to 1-5 after 45 minutes.

Ciara O’Sullivan and Sorcha McCartan were among the late scorers for Cork, who now have a break for a few weeks before they face Clare in their next game.

Scorers for Tipperary: M Burke 1-0, R Howard, K Kennedy, C McCarthy 0-2 each, S Corcoran, G O’Brien (f), J Kelly (f) 0-1 each.

Cork: A O’Connor 1-13 (0-8 f), K Mackey 1-2, C Finn 1-1, L Hayes, S McCarthy, E Murphy, C O’Sullivan, S McCartan 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: L Leenane; J Bourke, K Blair, E Loughman; C McCarthy, M Eviston, C Maher; S Corcoran, N Treacy; E Cunneen, M Burke, C Hennessy; K Kennedy, R Howard, G O’Brien.

Subs: E Carey for C Maher, N Costigan for J Bourke, J Kelly for E Loughman, A Quinlisk for N Treacy (all ht), S Madden for G O’Brien (56).

CORK: A Lee; M Murphy, P Mackey, M Cahalane; A Healy, L Treacy, L Hayes; H Looney, A Thompson; E Murphy, S McCarthy, O Cahalane; C Finn, K Mackey, A O’Connor.

Subs: C Healy for E Murphy (39), S McCartan for K Mackey, K Wall for L Treacy (both 46), R Harty for H Looney, C O’Sullivan for C Finn (both 56).

Referee: Justin Heffernan, Wexford.