Returning All-Stars help secure Cork's first camogie league win of season

Kilkenny 0-9 Cork 1-15

Cork picked up their first win in the Centra National Camogie League Division 1A as they got the better of Kilkenny at St Lachtain’s GAA Club on Saturday.

It was much-needed points for the Rebels as they bounced back from losses to Waterford and Antrim. A far stronger Rebel side took to the pitch against the Cats with welcome returns as Meabh Cahalane and Laura Hayes were back in defence.

Orlaith Cahalane started her first game and Sorcha McCartan was also back, having returned to the squad during the week.

To bring four All-Stars back helped to strengthen the Cork side considerably, but new players like Orlaith Cremin, and, in particular,  Ava Fitzgerald, were also in top form.

However, late on Cork lost Ashling Thompson to an elbow injury and she will be a massive loss to the side and is unlikely to play again before the start of the All-Ireland championship.

Overall, this was an impressive team display by Cork with all contributing to the win as they bounced back from their shock loss to Antrim in their last outing. They started the better of the two and were in front in the first minute when Hayley Ryan, another to impress, got their opening point.

Seven minutes later and they doubled the lead when Emma Murphy converted a free. With 14 minutes gone, McCartan announced her return with a trademark long-distance point to put Cork further ahead, 0-3 to no score.

Aoife Prendergast got Kilkenny off the mark after 15 minutes when she pointed from a free, before they were awarded a penalty for a tackle on Caoimhe Keher. Prendergast stepped up but her shot went over the bar for their second point.

McCartan replied from a free, with Murphy and Ryan adding scores, to see Cork lead by 0-6 to 0-2 after 20 minutes. Prendergast pulled a point back for Kilkenny, with McCartan getting her third, from another free to stretch Cork’s lead.

But just before half time Prendergast was on target again, from another free, to see the Rebels lead by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

McCartan increased Cork’s lead at the start of the second half, before Kilkenny enjoyed their best spell of the game. Prendergast hit two frees to put only two between the sides, before Asha McHardy made it a one-point game after 36 minutes.

Four minutes later and the sides were level when Sarah Barcoe was on target for the home side, to make it 0-8 each.

But credit to Cork, they upped their game again, with Thompson putting them back in front. McCartan pointed to make it 0-10 to 0-8 before the crucial goal came.

With 51 minutes gone, Hayes played a long ball in and Orlaith Cahalane was quickest to react to the breaking ball as she pulled first time for the only goal of the tie.

This put Cork well in front and when she added a point the result was beyond doubt.

Prendergast pointed another free for Kilkenny but Cork finished strongly with McCartan, Isobel Sheehan and Ryan all scoring as they ran out deserving winners of a game they dominated from start to finish.

Scorers for Kilkenny: A Prendergast 0-7 (0-3 f, 0-1 pen), A McHardy, S Barcoe 0-1 each.

Cork: S McCartan 0-6 (0-3 f), O Cahalane 1-1, H Ryan 0-3, E Murphy (0-1 f), A Thompson 0-2 each, I Sheehan 0-1.

KILKENNY: A Norris: R Phelan, M Teehan, A Carroll; C Dowling, N Deely, E Smith; A Brett, L Greene; A McHardy, S Fitzgerald, S Barcoe; E Shortall, A Prendergast, C Keher Murtagh.

Subs: C O’Shea for S Barcoe, R Dowling for C Dowling (both 52), M Brennan for L Greene (58).

CORK: A Lee; M Murphy, L Coppinger, M Cahalane; R Harty, L Hayes, A Fitzgerald; M Condon, A Thompson; E Murphy, O Cremin, N McNabola; O Cahalane, S McCartan, H Ryan.

Subs: I O’Regan for N McNabola (39), A O’Neill for R Harty (50), I Sheehan for A Thompson (58 inj).

Referee: Joe O’Connor, Clare.