Cork demolish Galway before half time

Cork 4-12

The game was practically decided in the last four minutes of the first half when Cork, playing against the strong wind, scored two goals. The first came when Emer Dillon was set up with a splendid pass from Fiona O'Driscoll in the 26th minute and the second almost on the stroke of half-time from top scorer Fiona O'Driscoll. This left the Rebels leading 2-4 to 0-4 at the break with the strong wind in their favour in the second period.

Galway, as expected, moved Sharon Glynn to full forward at the start but she got little change out of Eithne Duggan, who was always in control, while the half-back line of Paula O'Connor, Mary O'Connor and Gemma O'Connor were in control and rarely gave the Galway forward even a sight of the goal.

In fact so dominant were the Cork backs that Ger Casey in the Cork goal hadn't a shot to save in this half.

On the other hand Louise Curry was under severe pressure from the Cork forwards in the Galway goal in the opening quarter and had to bring off some excellent saves. One, in the sixth minute, was out of the top drawer when she saved from Rachel Moloney.

However, once Cork settled and stopped trying to score goals, they were able to pick off some good scores before the goals came.

On the turn over, despite the strong wind, Cork were very slowly into their stride and we had to wait until the 42nd minute for Vivienne Harris to open their second half account with a point. The game was over as a contest a minute later Emer Dillon found Fiona O'Driscoll unmarked in front of Galway goal and she made no mistake.

The Galway defence, in which Pamela Nevin and Tracy Laheen were solid in the opening period, began to crumble and the Rebels exacted the pressure by picking off scorers at will to run out the easiest of winners.

In fact Cork were so much in control that Galway managed only one point, from substitute Orla Kilkenny, and that took until in the 53rd minute.

"We have done half the job done and we will hoping to finish it in the final," said a delighted Fiona O'Driscoll.

Apart from those already mentioned Joane O'Callaghan did nothing wrong at right back while Jennifer O'Leary had a splendid game in the half-forward line. Caoimhe Harrington had her moments at full forward.

For Galway Louise Curry could not be blamed for any of the goals while Olivia Burke and Pamela Nevin played well in the full back line. Tracy Laheen had an excellent game in the opening half at centre back while of the forwards only Lourda Kavanagh and Aisling Connolly impressed.

Scorers: Cork: F. O'Driscoll 2-4 (0-1 free), J. O'Leary 1-3, E. Dillon 1-0, V. Harris 0-2, U. O'Donoghue 0-2, C. Harrington 0-1.

Galway. S. Glynn 0-2 (frees), L. Kavanagh 0-2, O. Kilkenny 0-1.

CORK: G. Casey; J. O'Callaghan, E. Duggan, S. Dunlea; P. O'Connor, M. O'Connor, G. O'Connor; V. Harris, E. Burke; R. Moloney, E. Dillon, J. O'Leary; U. O'Donoghue, C. Harrington, F. O'Driscoll.

GALWAY: L. Curry; R Broderick, O. Broderick, P. Nevin; M. Harkin, T. Laheen; M. Haverty; A. Hillary, A. Hardiman; A. Connolly, S. Glynn, L. Kavanagh; C. Murray, D. Gilligan, S. Tannion. Subs. C. Hannon for D. Gilligan (41st minute), R. Glynn for A. Hillary (45th minute), O. Coen for S. Tannion (52nd minute), M. Glynn for A. Hardiman (56th minute)

Referee: S, Moloney (Tipperary).