Second half goals key as Cork pip Galway in All-Ireland camogie final

Goals from Saoirse McCarthy and Orlaith Cahalane helped Cork avenge last year's defeat to Galway in the All-Ireland camogie final

Cork captain Méabh Cahalane lifts the O'Duffy Cup after her side's victory in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final against Galway. Picture: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final: Cork 2-14 Galway 0-19

Two goals in the space of six second-half minutes sent Cork on their way to a 31st All-Ireland senior camogie title as they avenged last year’s final defeat to Galway. Cork had been mediocre at times in the opening half but their battling qualities ensured they remained in touch at the break, 0-7 to 0-9.

That deficit was well and truly wiped clean with four of the first five second-half scores. After a Niamh McPeake point for Galway, Saoirse McCarthy landed Cork’s first goal in the 40th minute.

As well as finishing it, McCarthy had fetched it and completed a fine solo run that included a hop off the sod. It was the first goal Galway conceded in this championship and first since Orlaith Cahalane’s against them 12 months ago.

The second from Cahalane was the next score and again had a direct hue to it. The sliotar was broken down from an Amy Lee puck-out into the path of Cahalane who controlled the ball beautifully and finished just as pretty beyond Sarah Healy.

Cork twice went as far as six points up, their final score a glorious point by Sorcha McCartan in the 58th minute. Galway whittled down the margin but not enough to retain the O’Duffy Cup. Carrie Dolan was an inspiration and yet Galway didn’t throw enough caution to the wind.

With seconds remaining, goalkeeper Healy came up for a late free but her effort was too high and in front of a record 33,419 crowd for a standalone camogie finals day the victory was Cork’s.

It was a result that didn’t look to be on the cards early on. Galway had turned Cork over almost twice as many times as Ger Manley’s team did to them in the first half. Aimless or foolish ball into a two-woman Cork full-forward line that was guarded by sweeper Ciara Hickey sure didn’t help.

Some of Cork’s bigger stars looked out of sorts and so much was left to McCartan who was their only scorer from play in the first half. Her first of two points didn’t come until the 18th minute either.

Saoirse McCarthy scored Cork's first goal of the All-Ireland camogie final against Galway. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Galway’s indiscipline was their only con in the opening period. Amy O’Connor sent over all four frees she struck and McCarthy posted one from longer range.

Galway captain Dolan could have been seen the line for her shoulder-to-head challenge on Millie Condon but referee Gavin Donegan adjudged that the foul only merited a yellow card.

Laura Hayes was in the wars on a number of occasions but she was at least taking the fight to a Galway side whose forward movement was causing difficulty for Cork.

Galway never went more than three points ahead and were flawless in their shooting after a couple of early wides and one shot that dropped short. Caoimhe Kelly had three points to her name by the break while Niamh Niland had a brace.

Twice Cork squared the game but three consecutive Galway points, all from play, between the 26th and 30th minutes gave them a deserving platform.

O’Connor punished an infringement on Cahalane before the half-time whistle.

It had been a hiccupping half for Cork but they found their cure for them thereafter.

Scorers for Cork: A. O’Connor (0-5, 4 frees); S. McCartan (0-4); S. McCarthy (1-2, 0-1 free); O. Cahalane (1-1); E. Murphy, L. Hayes (0-1 each).

Scorers for Galway: C. Dolan (0-5, 4 frees); N. Niland (0-4); C. Kelly, A. Donohue (0-3 each); D. Higgins, N. McPeake, M. Dillon, S. Healy (free) (0-1 each).

CORK: A. Lee; I. O’Regan, L. Coppinger, M. Cahalane (c); A. Fitzgerald, M. Murphy, I. Sheehan; A. Thompson, L. Hayes; S. McCarthy, M. Condon; O. Cahalane, S. McCartan, A. O’Connor.

Subs for Cork: O. Mullins for E. Murphy (56); A. Ryan for S. McCarthy (60+1).

GALWAY: S. Healy; R. Hanniffy, R. Black, K. Manning; C. Hickey; D. Higgins, A. Hesnan, K.A. Porter; N. Mallon, C. Dolan (c); N. McPeake, A. O’Reilly, A. Donohue; C. Kelly, N. Niland.

Subs for Galway: J. Hughes for N. Mallon (temp, 18-ft); Á. Keane for C. Dolan (temp, 18-19); S. Healy for K. Manning (42); Á Keane for C. Hickey (inj 45); M. Dillon for A. O’Reilly (53); S. Corcoran for J. Hughes (58).

Referee: G. Donegan (Dublin).