Cork ease past Galway to secure All-Ireland semi-final spot

SEMI-FINAL BOOKED:Cork's Izzy O'Regan in action against Carrie Dolan of Galway. Pic: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship: Group 2: Cork 2-16 Galway 1-7

Defending champions Cork showed all of their class in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday to secure an All-Ireland senior camogie championship semi-final spot at the expense of Galway.

This was a stunning display from Ger Manley’s side, who ruled on home patch. Their movement off the ball created so many opportunities, and bar a competitive first 15 minutes, the winners proved irresistible.

Again it was the deadly duo of Katrina Mackey and Amy O’Connor who struck for the Cork goals in this final group game.

Once Mackey bagged their opening goal in the 23rd minute, they were on their way. A second Cork major straight from the restart by O’Connor put the game beyond the visitor's reach.

Galway, who lost Ann Marie Starr to a serious leg injury deep in second-half stoppage, go through to next weekend’s quarter-final against Waterford in Croke Park.

Cathal Murray made three changes before throw-in with Sarah Healy, Ally Hesnan and Niamh Hanniffy starting instead of Fiona Ryan, Niamh Kilkenny and Niamh McPeake.

With a swirling wind to deal with, it was clear from the outset this was a more physical game from previous ones, with no quarter asked or given.

There was nothing to separate the teams in the first 15 minutes, 0-3 apiece, Cliona Healy setting the tone for Cork after just 22 seconds as they went puck for puck.

The pick of the Galway scores came from wing-back Ciara Hickey.

While the hosts did carve out a couple of goal chances, they were unable to avail.

Cork’s successes to date have been based upon a dominant defence, and this once again was the case as Laura Hayes surged forward to fire over a point. It ignited a brilliant six-minute spell during which they registered an unanswered 1-4. Hayes recorded her second white flag after an O’Connor free.

The goal was then booted to the net by Mackey after a flowing move that started deep in defence.

Ashling Thompson ensured that early lead, the scoreboard reading 1-7 to 0-3 with six minutes to go to the break.

Galway struck back when Carrie Dolan blasted a goal from the left flank on the stroke of half-time, 1-9 to 1-5.

Immediately after the interval, Cork extended their advantage when a brilliant run by Aoife Healy led to an O’Connor goal from a tight angle after just 19 seconds.

It was more or less, game over.

Three substitutes were introduced in one fell swoop by Galway, but they trailed by double scores 2-10 to 1-5.

The Cork juggernaut wasn’t going to be stopped. Points flowed from all angles including Cliona Healy, Saoirse McCarthy and Aoife Healy, with sub Hayley Ryan having the final say.

All Galway could muster in the second-half was late Niamh Mallon and Niamh Niland points.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor (1-5, 0-4 frees), K Mackey (1-1), L Hayes and C Healy (0-2 each), A Thompson, S McCarthy, H Ryan, A Healy, O Cahalane and F Keating (0-1 each).

Scorers for Galway: C Dolan (1-3, 0-3 frees), C Hickey, N Mallon, A O’Reilly and N Niland (0-1 each).

CORK: A Lee; M Murphy, I O’Regan, P Mackey; H Looney, L Treacy, L Hayes (V-Capt); A Thompson, A Healy; S McCarthy, F Keating, C Healy; A O’Connor, K Mackey, O Cahalane.

Subs: S McCartan for O Cahalane (43), C O’Sullivan for C Healy (47), C Finn for K Mackey, H Ryan for S McCarthy (both 53), N O’Callaghan for M Murphy (56), E Murphy for A O’Connor (64).

GALWAY: S Healy; R Hanniffy, R Black (Capt), D Higgins; A M Starr, A Keane, C Hickey; O Rabbitte, N Hanniffy; C Dolan, A Hesnan, S Rabbitte; N Mallon, O McGrath, A O’Reilly.

Subs: N Kilkenny for S Rabbitte, N McPeake for N Hanniffy, N Niland for O McGrath (all 37), A Kelly for R Black, K Manning for C Hickey (both 54).

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).