Cork 2-21

Waterford 0-3

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

CORK have qualified for the All-Ireland U23 Camogie Championship semi-finals with two games to spare.

The unbeaten Rebels won their third round-robin game in a row when they hammered Waterford at MTU Cork on Friday evening. As a result, the Rebels are through to the last four ahead of their remaining group games against Kilkenny and Tipperary.

‘We are delighted to get to the semi-finals and hope to drive it on from there,’ Clonakilty’s Amy McCarthy told The Southern Star.

‘I think beating (All-Ireland champions) Galway in our first game lifted our spirits. We believe in ourselves now. The Cork seniors playing with us are obviously a big asset too.

‘Hopefully, they can keep driving us on and keep our standards high.

‘It’s so competitive in this squad. You are constantly kept on your toes as starting places aren’t guaranteed.’

Amid awful weather conditions, Cork managed to build a 1-5 to 0-1 lead inside the first ten minutes. Niamh McNabola and Rhona Drohan (free) exchanged scores before Ciara Morrison edged the Rebels back in front. The same player wasted a goal chance prior to Ciara Golden and McNabola splitting the posts.

Next, Cloughduv’s Amy Sheppard gained possession and raced clear before finding the bottom corner. Another Morrison point made it 1-5 to 0-1.

Waterford stuck doggedly to their task, and a Drohan free and 45 reduced the deficit. Molly Kearney had a goal chance saved by Cork goalkeeper Anna Kearney before McNabola and two Sheppard scores sent Cork in 1-8 to 0-3 ahead at half time.

Jerry Wallace’s side completely dominated the second period. A rampant Cork added 1-13 and prevented Waterford from increasing their total.

Ciara Golden netted Cork’s second goal in a half McNabola, Sheppard, Amy McCarthy, Rose Murphy, Eimear Duignan and Orlaith Cremin fired over a flurry of superb points.

Tougher tests lie ahead but last year’s All-Ireland U23 runners-up Cork are in good shape heading towards the business end of this year’s championship.

‘We were disappointed with our first-half performance tonight,’ Amy McCarthy admitted.

‘We were lacking energy and not making our usual runs off the shoulder. At half-time we said that we would start again at nil-nil, see if we could keep them scoreless and keep the ball moving.

‘It’s Kilkenny next. That will be a tough battle but, hopefully, we can drive it on and beat them.’

Scorers

Cork: A Sheppard 1-5 (3f); N McNabola 0-6; C Golden 1-2; C Morrison, A McCarthy, R Murphy 0-2 each; E Duignan, O Cremin 0-1 each.

Waterford: R Drohan 0-3 (2f, 45).

Cork: A Kearney (Blackrock); M de Burca (Carrigtwohill), A Barrett (Aghabullogue), A O’Riordan (Ballinora); L O’Donovan (St Finbarr’s), L Dunlea (Sarsfields), K Goulding (Ballincollig); A McCarthy (Clonakilty), E Duignan (Mallow); N McNabola (Cloughduv), R Murphy (Ballinora), O Cremin (Éire Óg); A Sheppard (Cloughduv), C Morrison (Castlelyons), C Golden (captain, St Finbarr’s).

Subs: A O’Sullivan (Mallow) for K Goulding (14, inj), S Murphy (Glen Rovers) for C Golden (41), E Curtin (Blackrock) for C Morrison (41), E Crowley (Inniscarra) for E Duignan (41), K Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for L O’Donovan (48).

Waterford: H Acheson; K Brazil, F Murphy, E Foran; C Ryan, A Hartley, H O’Sullivan; R Mason, O Whelton (joint-captain); A Ferguson, M Keneally, E Griffen; M Kearney, R Drohan (joint-captain), K McIntosh.

Subs: D Roche for E Foran (ht), J Landers for E Griffen (41), H Godkin for A Hartley (41), E Foran for R Drohan (55, inj).

Referee: D O’Callaghan (Limerick).