Superb away win for the Cork camogie team over Tipperary all but sees them through to the All-Ireland semi final

Cork 0-21

Tipperary 0-18

Back-to-back victories for the Cork senior camogie team as they overcame the challenge of Tipperary to ensure they are top of their group with a game to play in two weeks time against Waterford.

This victory will almost certainly ensure they will progress to the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland semi-final.

It was by no means an easy victory as Cork were made fight hard to the finish for their win.

Tipperary battled hard but Cork had excellent displays in defence with Izzy O’Regan, Meabh Murphy and Libby Coppinger solid all through.

In an opening half, where Tipperary played with the aid of a strong wind blowing towards the Killanian end of FBD Semple Stadium, the sides were level on six occasions and it was 0-11 each at the half-time whistle.

It took Amy Lee to deny Tipperary’s Eimear Mc Grath the game’s opening goal from a 20-metres free after referee Brian Kearney had moved the ball forward. McGrath pointed the resulting 45 and it was level pegging after 30 minutes.

Cork had opened up a five point to three lead 10 minutes in with Amy O’Connor Sorcha McCartan, Hayley Ryan, and Emma Murphy on target as the Rebels dictated the opening 10 minutes.

Tipperary, with Grace O’Brien and Eimear Mc Grath finding the range kept in touch.

Sorcha McCartan and Eimear McGrath traded points as Cork kept their noses in front, but an ever improving Tipperary were finding gaps, and with Eimear McGrath and Grace O’Brien proving a hand full they were back on level terms at seven points apiece with 20 minutes played.

Cork were winning a lot of possession with Laura Hayes, Emma Murphy and Millie Condon moving the ball quickly and as the sides traded point for point it was level pegging to the half time whistle - Laura Hayes, Amy O’Connor and Saoirse McCarthy with Cork points, as Eimear McGrath, Roisin Howard and Grace O’Brien picked off Tipperary scores.

Referee Brian Kearney was over fussy penalising for overcarrying on three consecutive occasions in the half which was leading to frustration and with the ball being moved forward McGrath saw her chance and went for a goal but the alertness of Amy Lee ensured no way through and with the resulting 45 pointed it was all square at the break.

The second half took on the same pattern as the opening half, but crucially Cork edged ahead in the opening minute with points from Amy O’Connor and Emma Muprhy.

Tipperary responded with an Eimear Heffernan point, but again Cork hit two in a row with Saoirse McCarthy and Amy O’Connor pointing frees.

McGrath fired over two points in reply to one from Saoirse McCarthy and from here on it was score for score as play swung from end to end.

Cork held their lead as Tipperary could never manage to get in front.

With four minutes remaining Cork led by four points Sorcha McCartan, Amy O’Connor and Saoirse McCarthy cancelling out points from Aoife Dwyer and Eimear Heffernan.

As Tipperary pushed for something they won two frees, which Eimear McGrath duly slotted over to reduce the deficit to two points as the game entered three minutes of added time.

But the final say was with Cork as Amy O’Connor pointed a close in free with seconds remaining as they had done enough to get over the line.

Corks Laura Hayes was named player of the match after an excellent display.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor 0-9 (0-6f’s), S McCarthy 0-5 ( 0-1f), S McCartan 0-3, E Murphy 0-2, H Ryan, L Hayes 0-1 each.

Tipperary: E McGrath 0-9 (0-6 f’s, 0-1 45), E Heffernan 0-4, G O’ Brien 0-4, R Howard, A O'Dwyer 0-1 each.

Cork: A Lee; I O’Regan, L Coppinger, A Egan; A Fitzgerald, M Murphy, I Sheehan; M Condon, L Hayes; H Ryan, S McCarthy, E Murphy; S McCartan, O Cahalane, A O’Connor.

Subs: R Murphy for H Ryan (38), A McAuliffe for E Murphy (58).

Tipperary: L Leenane; A Quinlisk, M Eviston, E Loughman; S Corcoran, C Maher, C Guinan; K Blair, C McIntyre; E Heffernan, L Purcell, C Hennessy; R Howard, E McGrath, G O’ Brien.

Subs: A Dwyer for C Hennessy (48), K Ralph for C McIntyre (54), N Treacy for G O’Brien (57).

Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare)