Ger Manley: Returning players made a difference but Ashling Thompson injury a concern

It was a comfortable win for Cork as they picked up their first points in the Centra Camogie League as they beat Kilkenny in their Division 1A clash at St Lachtain’s GAA Club on Saturday.

Having lost to Waterford and Antrim, Cork needed to get points on the board as they aim to move away from the relegation zone.

A second-half goal from Orlaith Cahalane proved to be decisive as they ran out winners by 1-15 to 0-9, as she started her first game of the season.

Also back were others like Laura Hayes, Meabh Cahalane and Sorcha McCartan, to add that bit of experience to the team.

It was an important win, which manager Ger Manley acknowledged afterwards.

“The players back do make a difference, they add a bit of experience to the side, but I also thought the younger players were outstanding,” said Manley.

“It's not easy stepping into inter-county hurling, especially with the camogie girls, because there's nothing in between minor really and senior, only in the last few years.

“Look, we were phenomenal I thought today. We had a brilliant two weeks training, they all pushed it themselves and do you know we’re delighted.

“I felt the score line justified us, we were well on top for the majority of the game. There was a strong wind there and look I think we dominated, especially the last 15 minutes I felt we were really good.”

Kilkenny enjoyed a good spell where they got back on level terms before Cork started to pull away again, helped by Cahalane’s goal.

“It did we were saying it, myself and James (Nyhan) were saying it on the sideline, we had a couple of goal chances where we took the wrong option, wrong pass, but that'll come.

We're not fully tuned in, and we don't want to be fully tuned in yet. You need to learn from your mistakes. 

"We have a lot of new girls and as the game went on the passes were getting better, they were using the ball better, and look, we had four or five goal chances.

“Again, we're getting there. It was a better performance today, which we're delighted with against Kilkenny. I've been involved five years now and you never get it easy against them, no matter what team they put, They’re after two good wins, so look, we're just delighted to get the better of them today.”

BACK ON SONG

Manley had a special mention for another player back after a year out with an ACL injury as Izzy O’Regan played her first game in a year, coming on in the second half.

“It’s great to see her back. I think it was this day 12 months ago that she got injured. She put so much in to get back, and look, we're delighted for her to know that she's back. Izzy did very well when she came on and was getting better as the game was going on.

“I also thought that Millie Condon had a great second half and Ava Fitzgerald was outstanding, they all did well. We're trying to explain to them that you need a squad and we’re building that and we have been a bit unlucky with injuries.”

On that front Ashling Thompson picked up a bad injury late on, where it looked like she dislocated her elbow, which will rule her out for some time.

“She was phenomenal again today. She's been phenomenal since I've been involved with the team. She's a leader, on and off the pitch. She dislocated her elbow, so we'll get her seen to as soon as we. 

"Ashling is a massive loss to us, as she would be to any side, and hopefully we will see her for the championship.”