Cork camogie champions St Finbarr's push into last four despite Killeagh's best efforts

St Finbarr’s 4-20 Killeagh 0-13 

Champions St Finbarr’s advanced to SE Systems Senior Camogie semi-finals with a victory over Killeagh at the superb MTU venue on Saturday.

The scoreline doesn't reflect of the efforts of a young Killeagh, who in the opening half went toe to toe with the Barrs and took the game to them. St Finbarr’s went in as raging hot favourites but Killeagh were not intimidated.

Conditions were ideal as the sides went at it from the throw-in. Killeagh signalled their intentions and as they took the game to the champions and opened up a two-point lead after five minutes.

They moved the ball fast and went at the St Finbarr’s defence. Chloe Sigerson pointed after Hannah Looney did all the hard work and Looney added a second. Nicole Olden had St Finbarr’s on the scoreboard but Ava Fitzgerald replied as Killeagh held the lead.

Orlaith Cahalane left the Killeagh defences in her wake as she rifled the net to edge Barr’s in front on nine minutes and twice the sides swapped points at the end of the first quarter. The Barrs hit a purple patch and had three points in a row from Cork star Sorcha McCartan.

Sigerson had one back but with St Finbarr’s finishing the half impressively, they led 1-8 to 0-8 a the interval.

Killeagh needed a good start to the second half but it was the Blues who stretched their lead with Keeva McCarthy, Kate Wall and Cahalane on target.

Orlaith Murphy had one back for Killeagh but with the St Finbarr’s defence now much tighter, they were finding it hard to make headway.

The Barrs began to find space and Killeagh were finding it hard going.

Points from Cahalane, McCarthy and Wall had the city side seven points in front before McCartan finished to the net.

St Finbarr’s now upped it a gear. Killeagh battled to find something but it was tough.

Looney split the posts but the Barrs kept the scoreboard ticking over before two goals from super sub Eimear Hurley after 53 and 56 minutes wrapped it the victory.

A ruthless second half from the Barrs but a gutsy display from the East Cork team overall.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: S McCartan 1-7 (0-4 f), E Hurley 2-1, O Cahalane 1-2, K McCarthy, N Olden, K Wall 0-3 each, C Golden 0-1.

Killeagh: C Sigerson 0-6 (0-4 f), H Looney 0-3, A O’ Regan 0-2, A Fitzgerald O Murphy 0-1 each.  

ST FINBARR'S: C Hurley; S Punch, S Daly, A O'Neill; A Shannon, M Cahalane, C Golden; E Olden, H O'Leary; K McCarthy, K Wall, E Wiggington-Barrett; O Cahalane, N Olden, S McCartan.

Subs: G Cahalane for E Olden (inj 10 min), E Hurley for E Wiggington-Barrett (39), L O'Donovan for A Shannon (47), A Egan for S Daly (49).

KILLEAGH: C Lane; A Kelly-Budds, C Barry, A Ashman; E Brenner, N Ní Chaoimh, E Barry; L Treacy, R Sheehan; C Sigerson, H Looney, A O'Regan; T Holland, A Fitzgerald, O Murphy.

Subs: M O'Donovan for E Barry (43), S Kent for A Kelly-Budds (43), S Beausang for T Holland (45), A Brenner for O Murphy (46).

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwin (Éire Óg).