*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A clinical and fresh Cork outfit put a tired leg weary Clare to the sword coasting to a twelve point victory in the All-Ireland senior camogie championship.
Cork 2-17
Clare 2-05
Venue: Páirc Ui Rìnn
By Derek Dormer
Character and work ethic are two of this Clare side’s best attributes but no amount of either can counteract fatigue.A hectic schedule finally told its toll as the Banner ladies had no answer to the running game of the Rebels.
Ten minutes in and the sides were tied at two points apiece with a fine Zi Yan Spillane point from play along with a trademark Chloe Morey monster free accounting for Clare’s scores.
However Cork would then go into overdrive outscoring Clare 1-6 to two points for the remainder of the half. Cork had most certainly learned from the Munster Final. They allowed Clare to carry the ball just inside the Cork half when they would then swarm the carrier in numbers overturning possession before breaking at pace. The tired legs could not cope with this tactic and time and time again Cork had players on the overlap creating scoring opportunities aplenty.
Chloe Sigerson landed two sixty yard monsters from play along with a superb catch swivel and execution by centre forward Fiona Keating.
Credit to the Clare defence who had to deal with wave after wave of Cork attacks and Clare somehow only trailed by five, moments before half time. The Cork goal highlighted the whole first half as Clare were easily overturned when in possession. Cork worked the ball down the wing and three swift passes found Amy O’Connor in front of goal.
O’Connor unleashed a rocket only for Doireann Murphy to make a point blank save with the rebound falling to O’Connor who made no mistake blasting home. Clare now trailed by seven 1-8 to 0-4 at the interval.
The game was killed completely as a contest sixteen seconds into the second half with star forward Amy O’Connor raiding for her second goal. Cork won the possession from the throw in, one diagonal quick fire pass from Aisling Thompson found O’Connor unmarked and she incredibly finished to the bottom corner with the hurley upside down, the amount of steps she took on her way was questioned from the Clare contingent down Leeside.
Although the game was effectively gone John Carmody and Conor Dolan’s charges didn’t throw in the towel. A goal from a Lorna McNamara free brought some joy but two moments of brilliance highlight the never give up attitude. Firstly, Doireann Murphy produced a save that was simply outrageous forcing an Amy O’Connor point blank rocket onto the post to somehow remarkably keep the ball out. Then Clare Hehir ran a lung bursting 100 yards before playing a one two with Niamh O’Dea and rifling home.
Overall though Cork were certainly worthy winners and Clare must now regroup rest up and be ready for the challenge of Wexford next week in what has now become a must win encounter.
SCORERS CLARE: Lorna McNamara 1-2 (1-2f), Clare Hehir 1-0, Chloe Morey 0-1(f) , Eimear Kelly 0-1, Zi Yan Spillane 0-1
SCORERS CORK: Amy O’Connor 2-5(2f), Chloe Sigerson 0-3, Fiona Keating 0-2 Saoirse McCarthy 0-2 Orla Cronin 0-2 Laura Hayes 0-2(1f), Katrina Mackey 0-1
CORK:
1: Amy Lee
2: Meabh Murphy
3: Aisling Egan
4: Meabh Cahalane
5: Laura Hayes
6: Laura Tracey
7: Saoirse McCarthy
8: Katie O’Mahoney
9: Aisling Thompson
10: Orla Cronin
11: Fiona Keating
12: Emma Murphy
13: Amy O’Connor
14: Chloe Sigerson
15: Katrina Mackey
SUBS:
Ciara O’Sullivan for Emma Murphy (37)
Sorcha McCartan for Chloe Sigerson (48)
Kate Wall for Orla Cronin (54)
CLARE:
1: Doireann Murphy
2: Ciara Grogan
3: Clare Hehir
4: Caoimhe Kelly
5: Aoife Keane
6: Chloe Morey
7: Alannah Ryan
8: Niamh O’Dea
9: Caoimhe Carmody
10: Lynda Daly
11: Lorna McNamara
12: Orlaith Duggan
13: Muireann Scanlon
14: Eimear Kelly
15: Zi Yan Spillane
SUBS:
Susan Daly for Muireann Scanlon (15)
Greta Hickey for Lynda Daly (HT)
REFEREE: Ray Kelly
