Goal-hungry Cork advance past Tipp and into inaugural All-Ireland U23 camogie final

The Rebels will meet Galway or Kilkenny in the final on Saturday, July 12.

Sat, 28 Jun, 2025 - 16:42

Therese O’Callaghan

Cork 3-13 Tipperary 0-15

Cork earned their place in the inaugural Glen Dimplex All-Ireland U23 camogie final with victory over Tipperary at Castle Road on Saturday.

A powerful start to a wind-assisted second half saw them come from two points down to lead by three clear goals at the three-quarter mark with a pair of quick-fire green flags from Amy Sheppard and Rose Murphy in the 39th and 43rd minutes the decisive scores for Ger Manley and Danny Morrissey’s charges.

During that impressive third quarter the home side, who are unbeaten in this championship, outscored Tipperary 2-6 to a single point.

The Rebels will meet Galway or Kilkenny in the final on Saturday, July 12.

Cork trailed 1-3 to 0-8 at the interval but they had the ability to up their performance in the second half.

They restarted in impressive fashion with Sheppard (tallied 1-7) pointing from a 45. Eimear Duignan, Sheppard, Ava Fitzgerald and Niamh McNabola followed from open play.

It was the goals, both applied with clinical finishes, that decided the outcome.

It would have to be said it was a valiant effort from Bill Mullaney’s team.

Aoife Dwyer and Danielle Ryan constantly rallied the troops with their contributions of eight and four points respectively.

Goalkeeper Áine Slattery was another to leave her mark with some eye-catching saves.

This was the third time these sides met - the provincial and round-robin both going the way of Cork (the Munster final after extra-time).

Once again, the inclusion of three members of the senior panel - Millie Condon, Meadhbh Ring and Fitzgerald - was beneficial. A fourth member, Orlaith Mullins played with the seniors against Wexford and this will rule her out of the final.

Cork got off to a brilliant start when Claudia Keane had the sliotar in the net after just two minutes when she was alert to Slattery’s save from Murphy.

But the visitors' response was encouraging with Ryan, Anna Fahie and Dwyer points.

Slattery was influential too, saving a Sheppard effort.

Murphy ended a scoreless Cork period in the 17th minute but they would only add two Sheppard frees in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, Bill Mullaney’s outfit drew level in the 22nd minute through Hannah Burke and edged in front for the first time courtesy of Dwyer, 1-2 to 0-6.

They maintained their advantage at the short whistle thanks to Dwyer sending over a free and Kate Ferncombe from play.

But that was as good as it got for the Premier County with the momentum swinging Cork’s way via their early second-half surge.

Scorers for Cork: A Sheppard (1-7, 0-2 frees, 0-2 45s), R Murphy (1-1), C Keane (1-0), A Fitzgerald (0-3), E Duignan and N McNabola (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: A Dwyer (0-8, 0-5 frees), D Ryan (0-4), K Ferncombe, A Fahie and H Butler (0-1 each).

CORK: C Buckley (Inniscarra); S Hurley (Sarsfields), C Kingston (Newcestown), M De Búrca (Carrigtwohill); M Ring (Aghabullogue), D O’Brien (Enniskeane, Capt), A Cashman (Youghal); A Fitzgerald (Sarsfields), E Duignan (Mallow); I Sheehan (Éire Óg), R Murphy (Ballinora), N McNabola (Cloughduv); A Sheppard (Cloughduv), C Keane (Inniscarra), M Condon (Ballinascarthy).

Subs: E Wigginton Barrett (St Finbarr’s) for N McNabola, E Curtin (Blackrock) for C Keane (both 53), E Sheehan (Éire Óg) for M Ring (56), E O’Donoghue (Bishopstown) for R Murphy (58).

TIPPERARY: Á Slattery (Shannon Rovers); L Ryan (Clonoulty Rossmore), M Connolly (Drom-Inch), L Fahie (Cashel King Cormacs); A Mellerick (Newport) Ballinahinch), M Murphy (Silvermines), C Guinan (Shannon Rovers); O O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty), G Moloney (Cashel King Cormacs); D Ryan (Éire Óg Annacarty), K Ferncombe (Clonoulty Rossmore), A Fahie (Cashel King Cormacs); A Fitzgerald (Borris-ileigh), A Dwyer (Thurles Sarsfields), H Butler (Cashel King Cormacs).

Subs: C McCormack (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) for A Mellerick (44), C Gleeson (Gortnahoe/Glengoole) for G Moloney, P Quirke (Boherlahan Dualla) for A Fahie (both 49), A O’Kelly (Kilruane McDonaghs) for K Ferncombe (53).

Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare).