Special mum Murphy, 43 and with four children, eyes first county medal with St Catherine's
St Catherine's camogie player Máire Murphy with her children Alex, Annabelle, Maisey and Jade. Pic: Máire Murphy
Reigning champions St Finbarr’s will face St Catherine’s in the SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship final on October 12 following their respective victories on Saturday.
The teams already met in the group stage with the Togher club recording a 3-14 to 2-12 win.
St Catherine’s booked their place in the final for the first time since 2015 when they delivered a strong team performance to account for Éire Óg 1-15 to 0-11 at Castle Road.
They held a two-point lead at the interval and an Aoife Hurley goal upon the resumption got them on the right road.
Eight points overall from former Cork star Orla Cotter (seven frees) made sure the east Cork side remained in the ascendancy. Cotter, the holder of seven All-Ireland medals, is one of their more senior members.
However, she is not the eldest on the team, that honour goes to 43-year-old mother of four, Máire Murphy (nee O’Regan). The bubbly corner-back, who is seeking her first senior medal with the club details her journey.
“We live in Waterford, in Knockanore and I play with St Catherine’s. I previously played with Courcey Rovers. I’m 43 tomorrow (Sunday). Never in a million years did I think I’d be playing in a county final. I wasn’t with the club when they won the county in 2009, but I was for the two finals we lost in 2012 and 2015.
“My kids are 12, 10, eight and five. I’ve a great husband and the kids are good to come along to all the matches. They go to training as well.
“You know what, it takes a parish. I’ve had people mix bottles for me on the sidelines, take the children and push the buggies.”
A youthful Éire Óg side reduced the deficit to four points midway through the second half, but a final quarter surge enabled St Catherine’s progress.
It must be noted Éire Óg suffered a blow in the 24th minute when Edel Sheehan suffered a knee injury, it did appear to upset their rhythm and they trailed 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
St Finbarr’s overcame Blackrock at MTU, 2-15 to 0-9.
Ahead by four points at the short whistle, a goal from the outstanding Sorcha McCartan in the 34th minute inspired the win.
McCartan enjoyed another productive afternoon registering 1-8, and she was also involved in so many other plays.
This was a brave performance from Blackrock - the 2023 Premier intermediate champions made their opponents earn every flag - but they were left to rue some wayward shooting.
Their defence was heroic in the opening half, thwarting at least four Barrs goal opportunities, but they had to give way to a more prolific outfit.
The teams went to the dressing-room with St Finbarr’s 0-7 to 0-3 ahead.
McCartan’s powerfully struck goal from 20 metres was added to by Hannah O’Leary, Orlaith Cahalane and Keeva McCarthy points.
This fruitful period set them on their way because it was tit-for-tat for the rest of the half.
Hayley Ryan and Maeve Coffey were among those to keep the scoreboard moving for Blackrock.
Ultimately though, the defending champions never looked like losing.
To emphasise their squad depth, Ella Wigginton Barrett came off the bench to grab the Barrs second goal in the 62nd minute.
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