Hayes inspires Catherine's to victory in Cork camogie championship

St Catherine’s 2-12, Aghabullogue 2-10 

St Catherine’s got their first win in the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship at Castle Road on Friday night.

It was a game they had to win if they were to stay in the championship, and inspired by their Cork star, Laura Hayes, they did enough to get the better of Aghabullogue.

With Sarsfields beating Killeagh by 3-11 to 0-10 in the other group game, three teams will emerge from this group for the knockout stages.

Overall, Catherine’s were deserving winners, but their opponents were safe in the knowledge that they were also through, no matter what the result.

They showed enough that they will be formidable opponents in the knockout stages next weekend, inspired by the likes of Cliona Healy and Katie McCarthy.

For their part, Catherine’s will be delighted to get a win under their belt, and in Hayes have probably the best camogie player in the country at the moment.

Lily O’Shea opened the scoring for Aghagullogue in the second minute, and their good start got even better three minutes later.

Anna Foley played a great ball to Ciara McCarthy, and she found the back of the net, to make it 1-1 to no score.

A minute later, and Catherine’s got a goal of their own, when Orla Cotter scored from a free, her effort deceiving everyone and ending up in the net.

Catherine’s could have had a second goal from the restart, but Meabh Fitzgerald’s effort was well saved by Lisa O’Riordan.

Cotter pointed the resulting 45 to level it, before Ally Mulkerrins put Catherine’s in front for the first time.

Cotter added a point to make it 1-3 to 1-1, before a Cliona Healy put only a point between the sides.

A 45 and two frees from Cotter extended Catherine’s lead, with Healy replying from a free for Aghagullogue.

Another free from Healy made it 1-6 to 1-4, with 24 minutes gone.

Two minutes later, and Aghagullogue had their second goal of the half. Healy’s initial shot was saved, but Anna Foley was quickest to react, to make it 2-4 to 1-6.

A Cotter free had the sides level again, before Foley pointed late on to see Aghagullogue lead by 2-5 to 1-7 at half-time.

Ally Mulkerrins early point had the sides level after the restart, before Healy put Aghabullogue back in front.

Hayes levelled it again, before Fiona Neville set up Fitzgerald for Catherine’s second goal, to make it 2-9 to 2-6 after 45 minutes.

A Cotter free extended their lead, before Healy replied for Aghabullogue.

Hayes pointed again, before Healy shot narrowly wide from a goal chance at the other end.

Julie Tarrant put three between the sides, before Neville scored for Catherine’s, to make it 2-12 to 2-8 with five minutes to go.

Two late Healy points closed the gap, but Catherine’s ran out winners to ensure they stay in the championship race.

Scorers for St Catherine’s: O Cotter 1-7 (1-4f, 0-1 45), M Fitzgerald 1-0, L Hayes, A Mulkerrins 0-2 each, F Neville 0-1.

Aghabullogue: A Foley 1-1, C McCarthy 1-0, C Healy 0-7 (5f), L O’Shea, J Tarrant 0-1 each.

St CATHERINE’S: Y O’Neill; L Kenneally, C Hayes, SM Clancy; T Murphy, L Hayes, C Draper; E O’Brien, M O’Keeffe; A Hurley, O Cotter, F Neville; N O’Regan, M Fitzgerald, A Mulkerrins.

Sub: S Fitzgerald for N O’Regan (51).

AGHABULLOGUE: L O’Riordan; E Barrett, M McCarthy, E O’Shea; A Barrett, K McCarthy, E Buckley; M Ring, E Duff; C McCarthy, J Tarrant, L O’Shea; A Foley, C Healy, L Manley.

Sub: O Cahill for E Duff (57 inj).

Referee: Eddie O’Sullivan, Inniscarra.