Cork U23 camogie side impress again in All-Ireland series with big win over Waterford

Cork 2-21 Waterford 0-3

Cork have maintained their aspirations of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland U23A Camogie Championship as they defeated Waterford in their one-sided encounter at MTU.

Owing to the greasy conditions resulting from recent heavy rainfall, scores were at a premium for Waterford, with all of their scores coming in the first half from placed-balls. Cork played a more open game, with the majority of their scores coming from play.

With wind advantage in the opening half, Waterford made the better start, but Cork net-minder Anna Kearney pulled off a spectacular save, before her side seized the initiative.

Niamh McNabola got the game’s opening score for Cork, but this was cancelled out when Rhona Drohan converted a free for Waterford.

Cork had Waterford pinned back as Ciara Morrisson, Ciara Golden and McNabola each tagged on unanswered points from play, to give Cork a lead of 0-4 to 0-1.

Cork continued to have Waterford on the back foot and they stretched the margin by a further three points as Eimear Duignan set up Amy Sheppard for the game’s opening goal in the 10th minute.

Morrisson tagged on a further point for Cork midway through the opening half, before Drohan responded with two unanswered points from placed-balls for Waterford.

Approaching the interval Golden added her second point for Cork and Sheppard also chipped in with two points, including a 45. This gave Cork a half-time lead of 1-8 to 0-3.

The second half was one-way traffic in Cork’s favour, as they laid siege to the Waterford goal. Sheppard got the first point of the second half, two minutes after the restart, as she slotted over a free.

In the 33rd minute, Morrisson set up Golden for Cork’s second goal, to extend their lead to 2-9 to 0-3.

Cork added a further five unanswered points by Golden, Duignan, Orlaith Cremins, McNabola and Amy McCarthy.

Waterford had their moments as they lifted the siege. Persistent fouling was proving to be costly for Cork, but wayward shooting was proving to be Waterford’s undoing.

Sheppard and Rose Murphy got further points for Cork before Waterford gained the upper hand, but Cork’s defence held firm.

Cork had Waterford back on the defensive in the closing stages. McNabola tagged on two points from play. Murphy and Duignan each added further points, before Sheppard completed the scoring with a free in stoppage time.

Scorers for Cork: A Sheppard 1-5 (0-2 f, 0-1 45), C Golden 1-3, N McNabola 0-5, C Morrisson, A McCarthy, R Murphy 0-2 each, E Duignan, O Cremins 0-1 each.

Waterford: R Drohan 0-3 (0-2 f, 0-1 45).

CORK: A Kearney (Blackrock); M de Burca (Carrigtwohill), A Barrett (Aghabulllogue), A O’Riordan (Ballinora); L O’Donovan (St Finbarr’s), L Dunlea (Sarsfields), K Goulding (Ballincollig); A McCarthy (Clonakilty), E Duignan (Mallow); N McNabola (Cloughduv), R Murphy (Ballinora), O Cremins (Éire Óg); A Sheppard (Cloughduv), C Morrisson (Castlelyons), C Golden (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: A O’Sullivan (Mallow) for Goulding (14, inj), E Curtin (Blackrock) for Golden, E Crowley (Inniscarra) for Morrisson (both 43).

WATERFORD: H Acheson; K Brazil, F Murphy, E Foran; C Ryan, A Hartley, H O’Sullivan; R Mason, O Whelan; A Ferguson, M Kenneally, E Griffen; M Kearney, R Drohna, K McIntosh.

Subs: D Roche for Foran (h-t), J Landers for Kenneally, H Godkin for E Griffen (both 43), Foran for Drohan (57).

Referee: Donncha O’Callaghan (Limerick).