St Catherine's seal return to Cork senior camogie final for first time since 2015

Méabh Fitzgerald, St Catherines is chased by Katie McCarthy, Eire Og in the SE Systems Cork Camogie Senior Championship semi-final; Eire Og vs St Catherines at Castle Road. Pic: Larry Cummins

St Catherine’s 1-15 Éire Óg 0-11 

St Catherine’s have returned to the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship final for the first time since 2015 - having won the title in 2009.

They held a two-point lead at the interval in Castle Road on Saturday and the game turned further in their favour following an Aoife Hurley goal upon the resumption.

It was an unfortunate green flag to concede as goalkeeper Marie Gleeson initially made a point-blank save but the sliotar crept over the line.

It sent the winners on their way, and while a youthful Éire Óg reduced the deficit to four points midway through the second half, a strong fourth quarter set up a final showdown with reigning champions St Finbarr’s.

It must be noted Éire Óg suffered a blow in the 24th minute when Edel Sheehan picked up a knee injury and she was unable to continue, it did appear to upset their rhythm.

Former Cork star and chief scorer Orla Cotter (0-8) got the scoreboard moving early on.

Twice the teams were level before Éire Óg edged ahead through Fiona Twohig and Clara Murphy.

Matters improved for St Catherine’s as they raised the next four white flags from Méabh Fitzgerald, Ally Mulkerrins and Cotter (one free) - her point from play set up by Laura Hayes.

Hurley stretched the lead soon after the enforced departure of Edel Sheehan and the Catherine’s ‘keeper Yvonne O’Neill had to be alert to deny Clara Murphy.

Clara did find the target and there was a point from sub Ciara O’Brien to cut the gap to one, but with eight minutes of stoppage time, a Cotter free left it 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval.

Hurley’s first-time ground strike put daylight between the sides, while a couple of Cotter frees extended the advantage to six.

Órlaith Cremin ended a scoreless period for Éire Óg.

The difference remained six until Éire Óg clawed their way back through Clara Murphy and a lengthy Edel Sheehan free, 1-11 to 0-10 at the three-quarter mark.

Despite the revival, they would only score one more point in the fourth quarter, from Erin Healy.

The initiative was now with St Catherine’s and they never looked like relinquishing it.

Maintaining a strong defensive structure, Niamh O’Regan (2), Méabh Fitzgerald and a Cotter free closed the scoring, whilst also marking their return to the final for the first time in 10 years amidst much celebration.

Scorers for St Catherine’s: O Cotter (0-8, 0-6 frees), A Hurley (1-2), N O’Regan and M Fitzgerald (0-2 each), A Mulkerrins (0-1).

Scorers for Éire Óg: C Murphy (0-4, 0-2 frees), I Sheehan (frees) and F Twohig (0-2 each), E Healy, C O’Brien and Ó Cremin (0-1 each).

ST CATHERINE’S: Y O’Neill; F Sheehan, C Motherway, M Murphy; C Hayes, L Hayes, F Neville; E O’Brien, M O’Keeffe; N O’Regan, O Cotter, T Murphy; M Fitzgerald, A Mulkerrins, A Hurley.

C Draper (Capt).

Subs: C Galvin for A Mulkerrins (57 inj), L Kenneally for F Sheehan (65).

ÉIRE ÓG: M Gleeson; K McCarthy, F Murphy, G Young; E Quigley (Capt), I Sheehan, A Whelton; A McGrath, R Murphy; C Murphy, Ó Cremin, F Twohig; R Sheehan, E Sheehan, E Healy.

Subs: C O’Brien for E Sheehan (24 inj), E McGrath for R Sheehan (43), A Hennessy for F Murphy (48), L Murphy for R Murphy (53).

Referee: Andrew Larkin (Ballygarvan).