Cork U23 camogie team continue good form with impressive victory over Tipp

Cork 2-19 Tipperary 0-7 

A very strong performance from the Cork U23 camogie side ensured they topped their group thanks to an 18-point win over Tipperary at Castle Road.

Torrential rain throughout the opening half made conditions difficult for both sides, who were both through to the knockout stages of the Glen Dimplex U23 Camogie Championship regardless of the result.

From the throw-in, Cork hit the front. A Ciara Morrison point inside two minutes gave them an early lead, and with Millie Condon adding a second point, they settled into the flow of the match.

Niamh Cunneen responded with a Tipperary point, but Cork hit 1-2 without reply in response.

Morrison set up Ava McAuliffe for a goal on seven minutes, and points from Amy Sheppard and Niamh McNabola gave Cork a 1-4 to 0-1 lead.

Danielle Ryan had a Tipperary point as they battled to get something against a strong defence but up front Cork were winning possession and on target again with points from Sheppard and McNabola. 

Cunneen had one back but Condon and Avril Cashman split the posts at the other end.

Tipp began to settle with Ryan converting a free, and Ava Bevin hitting one from play, but Cork finished the half well with another McAuliffe point to lead 1-9 to 0-6.

From the restart, the result was put beyond Tipp’s reach as a Sheppard goal inside a minute of the throw increased the Rebels' lead to nine. Piling on the pressure, Cork were winning possession in all sectors. Their defence was well on top, whilst up front the scores continued to flow as they hit 10 points without reply.

McAuliffe, Sheppard, Cashman, Orla Cremin, Condon, McNabola, Morrison and Sarah Murphy all found their range as the Premier struggled to match the Cork intensity. It was 25 minutes into the half before they registered their only score of the period, a point from Emma Darcy.

Given the strong performances throughout the campaign one got the impression there is maybe more in Tipperary. With a semi-final meeting with Cork ahead, they may have been holding players in reserve.

Scorers for Cork: A Sheppard 1-4 (0-1 f), A McAuliffe 1-2, N McNabola 0-4, M Condon 0-3, C Morrison, A Cashman 0-2 each, O Cremin, S Murphy 0-1each.

Tipperary: D Ryan 0-3 (0-2 f), N Cunneen 0-2, A Bevans 0-1.

CORK: A Kearney (Blackrock); M De Burca (Carrigtwohill), A Barrett (Aghabullogue), M Murphy (Ballinora); A Fitzgerald (Sarsfields), L Dunlea (Sarsfields), O Cremin (Éire Óg); M Condon (Ballinascarthy), A Cashman (Youghal); N McNabole (Cloughduv ), R Murphy (Ballinora), C Golden (St Finbarr's); A Sheppard (Cloughduv), A McAuliffe (Castlemartyr), C Morrison (Castlelyons).

Subs: E Duignan (Mallow) for C Golden (38), S Murphy (Glen Rovers) for R Murphy (38), C Murphy (Kinsale) for A Sheppard (38), E Curtin (Blackrock) for A McAuliffe (42), K Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for A Fitzgerald (42) 

TIPPERARY: M O'Dwyer; S McLaughlin, K Fitzgerald, E Kelly; E Cunneen, M Murphy, E Spillane; E Fogarty, K Ferncombe; N Cunneen, C Treacy, C Shelly; A Bevans, D Ryan, L Heffernan.

Subs: A O'Brien for E Fogarty (40), E McGrath for D Ryan (40), E Darcy for L Heffernan (40), J Heffernan for A Bevans (40).

Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin).