Wexford bow out of Camogie Championship

Gala Senior Camogie Championship Semi Final – Cork v Wexford

Cork defeated Wexford by 2-13 to 1-10 on Saturday at Nowlan Park Kilkenny in the Gala Senior Camogie Championship Semi Final. Cork will now play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Final.

Champions Cork overturned a half-time shortfall of 1-5 to 0-6 to go on and triumph over National League holders Wexford, 2-13 to 1-10. The Slaneysiders were full value for their interval advantage holding the upper hand in vital sectors. Scores were level three times in the opening quarter leaving Cert student Kartrina Parrock was impressive in the half forward line and it was her shot which was initially saved by Aoife Murray that was eventually finished to the net by Ursula Jacob on 19 minutes.  On balance, they looked stronger in attack – with Katrina Parrock very impressive – and comfortable at the back against a Cork attack dependent on the free-taking of Rachel Moloney. Dual star Corkery was a dynamo and contributed two points from play. At the break, it was 1-5 to 0-6 and while Cork showed a steady improvement in the early stages of the second half, Wexford’s confident play enabled them to stay in front. But, then came Corkery’s goal. It levelled the scores and changed the course of the game.

However, and probably after a stern telling off from manager Denise Cronin, Cork emerged a different team for the second 30 minutes. Playing into the wind, they had to survive a tough opening five minutes before finding top gear themselves. The lion-hearted Briege Corkery roared into action. Her surge forward on 40 minutes which yielded Cork’s first goal levelled matters, 1-8 apiece. Three minutes later following good work by Rachel Moloney and sub Julia White, Emer O’Farrell whipped home their second goal.Wexford competed gamely all the way to the finish but they were fighting a losing battle from the time O’Farrell’s goal went in.  From there to the end the Rebels outscored Wexford four points to two to qualify for a remarkable eighth consecutive final appearance.

 Hard luck to the club girls involved – Michelle Hearne, Mag and Kate Kelly and Katriona Parrock

Cork 2-13, B Corkery 1-1, E O’Farrell 1-0, R Moloney 0-7f,O Cotter, G O’Connor,U O’Donoghue, K Mackey, S Burns, 0-1 each

Wexford 1-10,U Jacob 1-2, K Kelly 0 -4(0-2f, 0-1′45),K Parrock 0-2,C Murphy R Breen 0-1 each

CORK: A. Murray; J. O’Callaghan, C. Foley, R. Buckley; J. Duffy, M. O’Connor, S. Hayes; B. Corkery, O. Cotter; E. Dillon, G. O’Connor, U. O’Donoghue; S. Burns, E. O’Farrell, R. Moloney
Subs: L. O’Connell for Duffy (23rd minute); J. White for Dillon (28); K. Mackey for O’Farrell (54); E. O’Sullivan for O’Donoghue (52).

WEXFORD: M. Darcy; D. Codd, C. O’Loughlin, C. O’Connor; A. Codd, M. Leacy, A. O’Connor (capt.); C. Murphy, K. Kelly; M. O’Leary, R.M. Breen, K. Parrock; U. Leacy, U. Jacob, J. Dwyer
Subs: L. Holohan for Murphy (47); M. Hearne for U. Leacy (59).

Referee: Una Kearney (Armagh)