Cork lose out to Kilkenny in All-Ireland minor camogie semi-final

Kilkenny 0-16 Cork 0-11

There was disappointment for the Cork minor camogie team as Kilkenny got the upper hand in their Electric Ireland All-Ireland semi-final at the Ragg recently.

Playing with the aid of a gale, holders Kilkenny, who beat Cork in the group stages at Church Road, made the better start. Four points in a row inside the opening 10 minutes put them in command.

Ona Kennedy converted a 45 and a free, along with one apiece from Amy O’Shea and Emily Phelan. Cork, battling against the elements, worked the ball well and opened their account with a Lexi Manley free 13 minutes in.

Cork were winning an equal amount of possession and a Leah Melliouin point narrowed the gap before Kilkenny hit four points with Holly Ryan, Shauna Mahony, Kennedy and Amy O’Shea all on target.

Kilkenny had a let-off on 20 minutes when a superb effort from Leah Melliouin hit the side-netting. Ryan then extended the Kilkenny lead linking up well with Phelan before smartly clipping it over the bar to put Kilkenny seven points in front.

Cork were under huge pressure with Kilkenny were continuing to press with the wind and they added four points in succession. Ryan (2), Kennedy and Mahony made it 0-10 to 0-2 at the break.

With the wind to their backs, Cork needed a strong start to the second half. Scores from Orla Troy and three Manley frees had Cork right back into the game.

Entering the final quarter, Kilkenny led 0-13 to 0-7 but Cork were pressing hard.

Kennedy took the pressure off Kilkenny with a 45 and while Manley trimmed the gap and Leah Melliouin scored a fine point, the clock was against the Rebels. 

Kilkenny were carrying the ball out of the danger zone against the wind as Cork worked to win possession and battled to get vital scores. Troy and Manley brought Cork to within four points before Kennedy struck again entering injury time.

Cork need a goal to have any chance but time was against them.

Scorers for Kilkenny: O Kennedy 0-7 f, H Ryan, S Mahony 0-3 each, A O’Shea 0-2, E Phelan 0-1.

Cork: L Manley 0-7 (0-5 f), L Meillouin, O Troy 0-2 each.

KILKENNY: E Watson; 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.

Subs: S Shefflin for Doheny (39), T Cody for Crowley (50), E Treacy for O'Shea (54), K O'Shea for O'Grady (57).

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

Subs: E Healy (Éire Óg) for O'Connor (h-t), C Hayes (St Catherine’s) for Halpin (39), C Foley (Courcey Rovers) for Murphy (50).