Cork camogie team impress again against Clare in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Cork 0-21 Clare 1-9 

Cork maintained their unbeaten run in the Glen Dimplex Camogie Championship as they overcame Clare in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in a clash that never really came to life. 

Cork hit 13 wides to Clare's three and had 10 players on the scoresheet, which illustrates the gap between the teams. They're now in pole position to go straight to the semi-finals when they face struggling Wexford next weekend.

Cork, with the aid of the wind blowing towards the Blackrock End, led by three points at the interval 0-9 to 1-3. Clare actually set the pace from the throw-in with a goal in the opening minute after Jennifer Daly’s blistering solo run from the halfway line saw her finish to the net even though Amy Lee saved her first attempt. 

With their confidence soaring Clare added to their tally with a Caoimhe Cahill point to lead by four inside two minutes. Cork settled with an Orlaith Cahalane point and hit three without reply as they worked the ball into space for Saoirse McCarthy, Laura Hayes and Clodagh Finn to find on target. 

With both sides deploying a sweeper, their inside lines had to work hard to win possession but Cork were beginning to find space. Jennifer Daly ended a 10-minute spell without a score for Clare but the hosts landed another three on the bounce. McCarthy slotted over a free after 14 minutes before Emma Murphy gave Cork the lead for the first time, quickly followed by a Kate Wall score.

Clare were carrying a lot of possession forward but the Cork defence turned them over on several occasions and worked the ball well through the lines. Sorcha McCartan and Emma Murphy's scores had Cork three up at the break.

On the restart Cork set about putting the game beyond Clare's reach with three points from Murphy, McCartan and Amy O'Connor.

Aishling Cooney converted two frees but Clare struggled to secure possession. Cork exposed gaps in their defence and slotted over seven points on the trot. 

Clare battled hard with three more points and forced Amy Lee into making two point-blank saves in the closing minute but it mattered little.

Scorers for Cork: S McCarthy 0-5 (0-1 f), E Murphy, O Cahalane 0-3 each, K Wall, S McCartan, A O Connor 0-2 f each, L Hayes, C Finn, K Mackey, A Thompson 0-1 each.

Clare: J Daly 1-1, A Cooney 0-3 f, Z Spillane 0-2 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), C Cahill 0-2, N Mulqueen 0-1.

CORK: A Lee; M Cahalane, L Coppinger, P Mackey; R Harty, L Treacy, L Hayes; K Wall, A Thompson; K Mackey, S McCarthy, S Mc Cartan; E Murphy, C Finn, O Cahalane.

Subs: A O'Neill for R Harty (h-t), A O'Connor for C Finn (h-t), C O'Sullivan for L Coppinger (43). 

CLARE: D Murphy; S Daly, C Hehir, S O'Keeffe; L Daly, A Walsh, C Queally; N Mulqueen, C Carmody; C Cahill, G Carmody, J Daly; R Begley, A Cooney, A Anderson.

Subs: Z Spillane for A Anderson (25), D Griffin for C Queally (39), A O'Loughlin for A Cooney (46), C Grogan for G Carmody (50), E Casey for C Carmody (52). 

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).

Waterford 0-3 Cork 2-6

Cork U23s grabbed a semi-final spot as they overcame Waterford in a one-sided contest. 

Earlier in the week, Cork learned they were deducted three points for their win over Kilkenny due to an alleged substitution infringement. With this win, Cork still top the group and look forward to a home semi-final next weekend.