Cork camogie: Blackrock set for Carbery showdown as quarter-finals take shape

There were four group games decided on Saturday.

Blackrock's Oonagh Grimley shoots as Inniscarra's Rena Buckley closes in, during their Senior Camogie clash at Castle Road. Pic: David Keane.

Blackrock will take on Carbery, and Courcey Rovers will meet Éire Óg, in the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship preliminary quarter-finals next weekend, September 13/14.

The pairings were finalised following Sunday’s final round of fixtures, which saw Blackrock overcome Inniscarra 5-15 to 1-8.

Avondhu didn’t field, so they gave Carbery a walkover.

On Saturday the seedings for three quarter-finals were completed and these teams have an extra week to prepare.

The first seeds are Sarsfields, defending champions St Finbarr’s and Ballinora after they finished top of Groups A, B and C respectively.

The second seeds are Killeagh, St Catherine’s and Glen Rovers.

First up was the clash of Ballinora and Glen Rovers in Castle Road and while the first half was nip and tuck with Glen Rovers two points ahead at the break, 1-6 to 0-7, Ballinora made the most of a wind-assisted second half to emerge on a 0-17 to 1-10 scoreline.

Rachel Murphy accounted for 11 of her side's total with five points from play.

Méabh Murphy and Sarah O’Keeffe were staunch in defence, while Kate Dooley rowed in with four points.

It was Katie Walsh’s goal that put the Glen in front at the break and Emma Murphy finished with eight points from placed balls.

In Bishopstown, Killeagh overcame Éire Óg 2-14 to 2-11, they were 2-9 to 2-4 to the good at the interval. Laura Treacy led the scoring for the winners with a pair of goals and there were five points from Chloe Sigerson.

Later in the evening Sarsfields took on Aghabullogue in Carrigaline and they ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 4-16 to 0-7.

It was back to Castle Road for the fourth contest and on a testing day for camogie at all venues, Courcey Rovers edged Cloughduv 2-11 to 2-9.

Courcey Rovers enjoyed a strong start aided by the wind. Their top-scorer Saoirse McCarthy (1-7) and Ann Maire Collins put them four points up inside the opening five minutes.

Ciara O’Leary saved from Fiona Keating as Cloughduv worked their way back.

Rachel Hurley’s 21st minute goal put them right in the mix, 1-2 to 0-5.

Another surge from Courceys made it 0-9 to 1-3 at the change of ends.

In spite of facing into the elements, McCarthy had her side up and running straight from the restart striking 1-2, her goal coming after a terrific run through the centre.

Unanswered points from Ciara Kelleher, Clodagh Murray, Aoife Lehane, Lisa Lynch and Amy Sheppard left just three between the teams, 1-11 to 1-8.

In the space of two minutes, Fiona Keating and Aoife Lehane exchanged green flags with four minutes remaining.

It was a helter-skelter finish as Courcey Rovers' lead was threatened with Cloughduv searching for a goal, but they had to settle for a Sheppard point in stoppage.