Cork Camogie: Katie Walsh fires two goals as Glen Rovers beat Cloughduv
Katie Walsh, Glen Rovers, shoots from Aileen Corkery, Cloughduv. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The spirit of the Glen was certainly apparent from start to finish in this gripping SE Systems Senior Camogie Championship clash to defeat Cloughduv at MTU.
The northsiders played some outstanding camogie and were the better-balanced side, led by two goals from corner-forward Katie Wals.
The opening exchanges were played at a ferocious pace with both teams showing great commitment on this excellent surface at MTU. Cork camogie star Emma Murphy set the early tone with consecutive points.
Credit to Cloughduv, they matched the Glen’s intensity in every department, and with Amy Sheppard nailing points for fun, it was level midway through the half. The Glen then hit a goal of sheer class a minute later.
A neat pass was caught by the energetic Katie Walsh, who gave the keeper no chance with a ferocious finish to the back of the net.
Sheppard continued to pose the Glen defence all sorts of problems and when she registered her fourth point in the 20th minute, the teams were tied once more.
The Glen again shot consecutive points, but the competitive nature of the game was clear to see with the players giving their all at both ends of the pitch.
Coming up to halftime, Cloughduv got a great goal chance but full-forward Mairead Corkery was hooked as she was about to pull the trigger.
Leading 1-5 to 0-6 at the break, the Glen got a good start to the second half with a Murphy point. They had momentum but Sheppard went on a solo mission and billowed the back of the net, 1-6 apiece.
Sheppard ran herself into the ground and finished with an impressive 1-8 tally over the hour. Cloughduv could have chalked up another green flag but full-forward Katie O’Regan couldn't convert.
The big difference between the sides was the manner the young Glen side hustled and hooked from start to finish. With a little more physicality, this team will push the elite sides.
Suddenly, Cloughduv were on the ropes and when Sophie O’Sullivan got in behind their defence in the 47th minute, she fired the sliotar to the roof of the net. A minute later, the Glen put the icing on the cake when Katie Walsh pounced late at the far post to drill the ball to the net.
Cloughduv couldn't find a way back into the game at that stage.
The more productive city side basically had too much firepower for the Mid Cork outfit but it was a terrific contest from start to finish.
It will be interesting to see if the Glen can push on from here after showing good form in their opening two wins.
K Walsh 2-1, E Murphy 0-6 (0-3 f), S O’Sullivan 1-1, A Wallace, S Murphy 0-1 each.
A Sheppard 1-8 (0-5 f), C Kelleher, C Hughes, L Lynch 0-1 each.
D Luby; C Martin, K Falvey, E O’Meara; K O’Regan, L O’Sullivan, A Lynch-O’Shea; A Akinkoulie, S Murphy; E Murphy, A Wallace, I O’Meara; K Walsh, T McCarthy, S O’Sullivan.
C O’Leary; H Dineen, N O’Leary, A Corkery; A Buckley, A Barry-Murphy, L Buttimer; F Drinan, A Lehane; C Hughes, A Sheppard, C Murray; C Kelleher, M Corkery, R Hurley.
L Lynch for A Lehane (h-t), A O’Brien for C Kelleher (50).
Andrew Larkin (Ballygarvan).
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