Cork hammer Kilkenny to land their first All-Ireland U23 title

Cork 2-23

Kilkenny 1-5

Cork cantered to their first All-Ireland U23A camogie title, fielding a strong side full of senior experience, and including the likes of multiple All-Ireland senior medallists Orlaith Cahalane and Méabh Murphy, to overpower Kilkenny at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field by 2-23 to 1-5.

Although Keara Ryan opened the scoring for the Cats with a nice point, Cork settled quickly and they had taken the lead thanks to scores form Amy Sheppard and Millie Condon, when Ava McAuliffe goaled after eight minutes to send the Rebels on their way.

They got into a relentless rhythm thereafter, and while Cahalane did get among the scores, there was a real breadth of provider in that regard, McAuliffe and Sheppard adding a brace of points and Rose Murphy, Ciara Golden, Niamh McNabola, Laura Dunlea and Condon also splitting the posts.

Katie Brennan provided a rare riposte and it was 1-14 to 0-3 at the change of ends, with the Noresiders facing a seemingly impossible task of turning things around in Dungarvan.

They did get the ideal start to the second half, when Amy Brennan provided a goal six minutes after the restart but any prospect of a comeback was doused immediately, as from the puckout, the outstanding Sheppard rippled the net at the other end of the field for Jerry Wallace’s squad and that was that.

Cahalane, McNabola, Sheppard, Eimear Duignan, Maebh O’Brien and the magnificent McAuliffe kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Leesiders, while Amy Brennan and Ellen Gunner provided the only other scores after the former’s goal.