All-Ireland champions Cork too classy for Clare in Munster senior camogie clash

CHAMPIONS CLASS: Cork's Clodagh Aisling Thompson holds off Clare's Sinead O'Keeffe during the Munster senior camogie championship semi-final at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Clare 0-10 Cork 2-22

All-Ireland champions Cork were always favoured to win this Munster senior camogie championship semi-final in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg Ennis on Sunday, played as a curtain raiser to the Clare/Cork SHC game.

To get a better understanding of the two teams it is important to know that Clare were Division 1B league finalists three weeks ago losing to Antrim by five points, while Cork were comfortable winners over Galway last Sunday in the Division 1A decider.

So, despite their best endeavour in front of a hefty crowd, this was always going to be a huge challenge for John Carmody’s side who were forced to play Niamh Mulqueen in a deep role which meant Caoimhe Cahill was outnumbered up front with Cork’s Laura Treacy sweeping to good effect.

And in spite of missing injured duo Laura Hayes and Katrina Mackey, and Sorcha McCartan with a fractured ankle she sustained in the league final, they were still a class above their hosts.

Ger Manley has plenty of backup in his squad as they head on a warm weather training camp to Portugal tomorrow morning.

Cork's Cliona Healy wins the sliotar from Clare's Abby Walsh during the Munster senior camogie championship semi-final at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, Ennis. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Cork led 1-10 to 0-3 at the break with Clodagh Finn the finisher for an 11th minute goal after being put through by Saoirse McCarthy.

Zi Yan Spillane and Aoife Anderson were the Clare scorers in a team that featured triplets Rachael, Susan and Lynda Daly and their younger sister Jennifer.

Cork continued to pile on the pressure in the second-half finishing with nine different scorers including sub Millie Condon’s 57th minute goal, while Clare sub Aisling Cooney landed four for her side.

The final against either Tipperary/Limerick or Waterford will be another double-header and will be played ahead of the Clare v Tipperary SHC on Saturday May 10 in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, throw-in at 3.30pm.

Scorers for Clare: A Cooney (0-4, 0-3 frees), Z Y Spillane (0-3 frees), A Anderson, Á O’Loughlin and A O’Keeffe (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: C Finn (1-3), S McCarthy (0-6, 0-2 frees), M Condon (1-1), A O’Connor (0-4, 0-2 45s, 0-2 frees), O Cahalane (0-3), E Murphy (0-2), A Thompson, H Looney and A Fitzgerald (0-1 each ).

CLARE: R Daly; S Daly, C Hehir, C Queally; L Daly, A Walsh, D Griffin; S O’Keeffe, C Carmody; A Anderson, Á O’Loughlin (Capt), J Daly; C Cahill, Z Y Spillane, N Mulqueen.

Subs: E Casey for C Cahill (half-time), A Cooney for J Daly, G Carmody for S O’Keeffe (both 41), M Hanrahan for Z Y Spillane, H M Neylon for N Mulqueen (both 46), M Powell for C Queally (49), G McMahon for C Hehir (49), A O’Keeffe for A Anderson (52).

CORK: A Lee; P Mackey, L Coppinger, M Murphy; M Cahalane (Capt), L Treacy, A Healy; A Thompson, H Looney; E Murphy, S McCarthy, C Healy; C Finn, A O’Connor, O Cahalane.

Subs: K Wall for C Healy, C O’Sullivan for H Looney (both 36), N O’Leary for L Coppinger, R Harty for A Healy (both 41), A O’Neill for M Murphy, O Mullins for C Finn (both 44), A Fitzgerald for E Murphy, M Condon for A O’Connor (both 50).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick).