Cork begin All-Ireland senior camogie title defence in style against Wexford

WINNING START: Amy O'Connor, Cork, gets away from Miria O'Dowd Wexford. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

All-Ireland senior camogie championship

Cork 1-15 Wexford 1-6

Cork got the defence of their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship crown off to a winning start in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday.

As expected, in this Group 2 opening round in persistent rain and strong winds, the champions played at a slightly higher level.

However, and to put the contest into perspective, Wexford are in the midst of a rebuild and partook in the Division 1B league. That Colin Sunderland’s charges remained competitive and didn’t concede a goal until the eighth minute of second-half stoppage from Cork sub Clodagh Finn, will give them a lot of encouragement.

However, the outcome was never in doubt.

Amy O’Connor emerged Cork’s chief scorer with her seven point return.

The visitor had the elements at their back in the first half, but it was Cork who settled quicker with an O’Connor free in the first minute following a foul on Sorcha McCartan.

Once they got their running game going, despite the torrential rain at this stage, they reeled off five unanswered points between the 4th and 16th minute - Katrina Mackey (2) and Saoirse McCarthy on target, while O’Connor added two frees.

A solid Cork defence gave Wexford very few opportunities, as a result it was the 17th minute before Shelley Kehoe opened their account having been teed up by Anais Curran.

They were buoyed by the score and when captain Ciara O’Connor floated over a free from the middle of the field in reply to an O’Connor point, the gap was five points.

Saoirse McCarthy Cork, battles with Sarah O'Connor, Wexford. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

But Cork were in control in a lot of positions and Mackey’s third from play saw them go to the changing-room 0-8 to 0-2 in front.

Ger Manley’s side restarted, just like they did the first half, with O’Connor landing a free after Orlaith Cahalane was brought down. Her sixth point further stretched the gap.

Wexford got thrown a lifeline when Ciara O’Connor was fouled for a 43rd minute penalty, which she duly converted herself, 1-2 to 0-10.

Both teams got some energy from their bench as Ciara O’Connor and Saoirse McCarthy (free) exchanged points.

Further Cork white flags were raised from subs Cliona Healy and Hannah Looney, and it was Finn who got in for the only goal after a Mackey shot was bravely saved by Laura Brennan deep in stoppage.

Cork travel to Down next weekend, while Wexford are at home to Galway.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor (0-7, 0-5 frees), K Mackey (0-4), C Finn (1-0), S McCarthy (0-2, 0-1 free), C Healy and H Looney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Wexford: C O’Connor (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3 frees), S Kehoe (0-2).

CORK: A Lee; M Murphy, M Cahalane, P Mackey; I O’Regan, L Hayes, N O’Callaghan; A Thompson, A Healy; O Cahalane, F Keating, S McCarthy; A O’Connor, K Mackey, S McCartan.

Subs: C Healy for O Cahalane (39), C Finn for N O’Callaghan, H Looney for S McCartan (both 48), O Mullins for A O’Connor (52).

M Lynch (Capt).

WEXFORD: L Brennan; K Tomkins, C Storey, M O’Dowd; L Dempsey, S O’Connor, R Cooney; S Kehoe, C O’Connor (Capt); A Curran, C Foxe, K Kirwan; E Tomkins, J Dillon, L Bolger.

Subs: E Dempsey for L Bolger, O Sinnott for A Curran (both 46), C Jackman for K Tomkins, A Neville for R Cooney (both 55).

Referee: Aaron Hogg (Clare).

RESULTS

Group 1:

Antrim 2-10 Derry 3-17

Limerick v Kilkenny 4pm

Tipperary v Waterford 4.30pm

Group 2:

Clare 1-14 Down 1-5

Cork 1-15 Wexford 1-6

Dublin 1-11 Galway 0-17,