Cork back on track in All-Ireland minor camogie series with big win over Dublin

Dublin 0-7 Cork 2-15 A great result for Cork minor camogie side as they had 14 points to spare over Dublin in the Electric All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship at a windy O’Toole Park on Sunday.

The elements certainly dictated matters, making it a game of two halves, a goal in either half from Cliona Harte, plus an excellent spread of point-scoring ensured Cork are still in the hunt for a semi-final place.

Throw-in was delayed as referee Phillip McDonnell was stuck in traffic due to an accident on the M1 and when proceedings finally got underway, Cork, despite being against the very strong wind, landed a point through Clara Murphy. 

Dublin replied with an Ava O’Neill free and with the breeze were putting the Cork defence under pressure. Erin Dunne and Jocelyn Hanks pushed them 0-3 to 0-1 up. 

The visitors used possession well though and cut the deficit with a Harte point before she gave Cork the lead on 20 minutes with a goal. Dublin responded well with a pair of Kate Keaney frees but Cork regained the lead thanks to Lexi Manley's effort.

It was level at the break, 0-6 to 1-3, after another Keaney free but Cork turned to hurl with the elements and quickly forged ahead with an Orla Troy point and Harte's second goal. 

Scores from Murphy, Stephanie Dwyer, Harte, Leah Hannigan and Troy pushed the gap out to nine. Dublin were battling hard but the Cork defence was disciplined and holding firm.

A Keaney 45 was Dublin's only second-half score but Cork were now rolling on full steam with Manley, Harte, Leá Meillouin (3), Bláithin Cunniffe picking off points to seal the victory.

Scorers for Dublin: K Keaney 0-4 (0-3 f, 0-1 45), E Dunne, A O'Neill, J Hanks 0-1 each.

Cork: C Harte 2-3, L Meillouin 0-3, L Manley, O Troy, C Murphy 0-2 each, S Dwyer, B Cunniffe, L Hannigan 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: X Wu; R Nolan, L Brady, E Ryan; E McClean, A O'Neill, A O'Gorman; R Kiss-Kalló, J Hanks; A Magee, J Harford, E Dunne; S McCann, K Keaney, C Hogan.

Subs: E Broderick for J Harford (h-t), R Costello for C Hogan (40), N O'Brien for J Hanks (inj 43), C Glennon for S McCann (49), C Kearns for R Nolan (55).

CORK: K Crowley (Courcey Rovers); S Donohue (Blarney), A Ashman (Killeagh), T O'Neill (Fr O'Neill’s); M Lombard (Ballinhassig, c), C O’Donnell (Sliabh Rua), C Ryan (Newtownshandrum); O Troy (Newtownshandrum), C Foley (Courcey Rovers); C Harte (Barryroe), L Manley (Aghabullogue), L O'Connor (Killeagh); L Meillouin (Inniscarra), C Murphy (Éire Óg), L Hannigan (Ballincollig).

Subs: S Dwyer (Douglas) for C Foley (h-t), B Cunniffe (Ballincollig) for L O'Connor (44), S Galvin (Éire Óg) for L Hannigan (51), E Duff (Aghabullogue) for O Troy (55).

Referee: Phillip McDonnell (Cavan).