Late Lexi Manley goal sends Cork minor camogie team into semis despite loss to Kilkenny
Cork's Ava Cashman is tackled by Kilkenny's Hollie Ryan during the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Camogie Championship at Castle Road. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
On a day when it came right down to the wire, Cork and Limerick finished on the same scoring difference in their Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor camogie group.
However, thanks to their victory over Limerick last month, the Rebels secured a top-four finish and a place in the semi-finals along with Galway, Tipp and the Cats.
A goal two minutes into injury time from a long-range Lexi Manley free, ended up being crucial for Cork, otherwise they would have been knocked out on scoring difference.
Two first-half goals gave Kilkenny the upper hand after they played with the aid of the strong wind at Castle Road. They were already through to the semis following impressive performances while the hosts were chasing the win they thought they'd require.
Aoife O'Grady and Amy O'Shea split the posts to give the visitors an early lead but Cork were quickly back level through Manley, from a free and a 45. It took an excellent save from Aoife Collins to deny Kilkenny their opening goal. As the sides swapped points, it was level at 0-4 apiece after 10 minutes.
Kilkenny hit the front with an O’Shea goal at the end of the opening quarter when her low shot from a free caught Cork and ended up in the net. Now piling on the pressure, Kilkenny extended their lead with an Emily Phelan point.
When Ruth Crowley first-timed a ground shot to the net, they opened up a six-point advantage. Manley kept Cork in touch with a free and Stephanie Dwyer added one from play but three in a row from O'Shea made it 2-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
O'Shea maintained her accuracy from placed balls as Kilkenny stayed in front throughout the second half, despite being against the breeze. Cliona Harter and Manley had Cork points.
With both sides working hard, scores came fast at either end. Phelan and Shauna Mahony were on target for Kilkenny and Manley hit four in between as Cork kept the pressure on, as they knew every score was vital.
As the clock ticked towards the 60th minute, Kilkenny led by six points and Cork looked to be heading out.
As they waited for the result of the Limerick-Dublin clash, word came through that the Treaty won by 12 points. With the maths being frantically done by mentors, a phone call from Croke Park confirmed Cork were through.
L Manley 1-8 (1-5 f, 0-1 45), C Harter, L O'Connor, S Dwyer, L Hannigan 0-1 each.
A O'Shea 1-8 (0-6 f), E Phelan 0-5, R Crowley 1-0, S Mahony, A O'Grady 0-1 each.
A Collins (Sarsfields); S Donoghue (Blarney), A Cashman (Killeagh), T O'Neill (Fr O'Neills); M Lombard (Ballinhassig c), C O'Donnell (Sliabh Rua), C Ryan (Newtownshandrum); O Troy (Newtownshandrum), C Hayes (St Catherine’s); C Harte (Barryroe), L Manley (Aghabullogue), L O'Connor (Killeagh); L Meillouin (Inniscarra), C Murphy (Éire Óg), L Hannigan (Ballincollig).
S Dwyer (Douglas) for Hayes (27), E Healy (Éire Óg) for Troy (h-t), A Halpin (Sliabh Rua) for C O'Donnell (inj 38), C Foley (Courcey Rovers) for C Murphy (48).
E Walton; H Tennyson, E Morrissey, M Duggan; C Hickey, O Kennedy, C Teehan; S Doheny, E Doheny; A O'Grady, S Mahony, H Ryan; E Phelan (c), R Crowley, A O'Shea.
E Treacy for C Hickey (45), S Shefflin for A O'Grady (45), L Coomey for S Doheny (49), T Cody for E Phelan (49).
Donnacha O'Callaghan (Limerick).
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