Páirc Uí Chaoimh Concert Guide

Back-to-back wins in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship have put Cork in a commanding position at the top of Group 1, after a hard-fought 0-21 to 0-18 victory away to Tipperary at FBD Semple Stadium.

In a contest that never drifted beyond a puck of the ball, the Rebels had to dig deep against a determined Tipp side who matched them score for score for long stretches of a high-tempo, open encounter in Thurles.

The sides were level on six occasions in a first half that finished 0-11 apiece, with both teams trading some excellent scores in ideal playing conditions on a fast surface. Grace O’Brien and Eimear McGrath (0-9, including 0-6 from frees and a 45) led the Tipperary scoring effort, while Cork were driven by a spread of contributors including Amy O’Connor, Saoirse McCarthy, Hayley Ryan, Emma Murphy and Laura Hayes.

Early on, the game set a frantic tone. Tipperary struck first inside the opening minute through O’Brien, while Cork created immediate danger with Amy O’Connor forcing a sharp angle shot across goal and Sorcha McCartan threatening throughout. Both sides showed attacking intent, with Róisín Howard and McGrath combining well for Tipp, while Cork responded through accurate shooting from distance and smart ball movement through the middle third.

Cork edged a 5–3 lead after ten minutes, but Tipp responded well through McGrath and O’Brien to stay firmly in touch. The opening half remained tight throughout, with Cork’s movement around the middle third—particularly through Laura Hayes—proving increasingly influential as the half progressed.

The turning point came early in the second half. Cork emerged with renewed intensity and quickly struck 0-4 to 0-1 to establish control of the contest. Amy O’Connor and Emma Murphy were early on the scoresheet, with Saoirse McCarthy also adding to the tally as Cork began to find more space and rhythm in attack.

From there, Cork’s midfield dominance became a defining factor. Hayes was outstanding in breaking up play and dictating possession, allowing Cork to consistently supply their inside forwards. O’Connor (0-9, 0-6f), McCarthy (0-5) and McCartan (0-3) all made decisive contributions as the Rebels steadily built a lead they would not relinquish.

Tipperary continued to battle, with Eimear Heffernan adding four points and McGrath remaining their key threat from placed balls, but Cork’s defensive structure held firm in the closing stages. Izzy O’Regan, Meabh Murphy and Libby Coppinger were particularly solid, dealing with sustained pressure as Tipp pushed hard to close the gap late on.

Despite a late rally that reduced the margin to two points entering injury time, Cork maintained composure. Amy O’Connor landed a crucial late free to seal the win, ensuring the Rebels saw out a third consecutive victory in championship action and strengthened their position at the top of the group.

With two wins from two, Cork now sit in pole position heading into their final group game against Waterford, with a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals all but secured.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor 0-9 (0-6f’s), S McCarthy 0-5 ( 0-1f), S McCartan 0-3, E Murphy 0-2, H Ryan, L Hayes 0-1 each.

Tipperary: E McGrath 0-9 (0-6 f’s, 0-1 45), E Heffernan 0-4, G O’ Brien 0-4, R Howard, A O’Dwyer 0-1 each.

Cork: A Lee; I O’Regan, L Coppinger, A Egan; A Fitzgerald, M Murphy, I Sheehan; M Condon, L Hayes; H Ryan, S McCarthy, E Murphy; S McCartan, O Cahalane, A O’Connor.

Subs: R Murphy for H Ryan (38), A McAuliffe for E Murphy (58).

Tipperary: L Leenane; A Quinlisk, M Eviston, E Loughman; S Corcoran, C Maher, C Guinan; K Blair, C McIntyre; E Heffernan, L Purcell, C Hennessy; R Howard, E McGrath, G O’ Brien.

Subs: A Dwyer for C Hennessy (48), K Ralph for C McIntyre (54), N Treacy for G O’Brien (57).

Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare)

Cork pulled out all the stops at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field to keep their TG4 All-Ireland hopes alive as they beat Waterford thanks to a grandstand finish.

Cork, the reigning Lidl Division One league champions, looked set to bow out when they trailed by five points with seven minutes remaining but they staged a remarkable comeback to snatch victory at the death.

Waterford went in at the break with a 1-8 to 0-4 lead on the scoreboard. While Cork in the opening moments of this game had much of the ball, they were unable to break down a tight Waterford defence.

Waterford were first on the board when after a fine team movement which saw them bring the ball up the entire length of the field Kellyann Hogan fired over after four minutes.

Further scores from Clare Walsh, Brid McMaugh and another from Hogan followed for Waterford before Cork struck their first on nine minutes when Katie Quirke pointed from a free.

Lauren McGregor put the hosts four in front before Quirke got her second of the game, again from a free.

Karen McGrath and Clare Walsh played a one-two before McGrath having broke forward from her half back position palmed the ball to the net midway through the opening half.

Lauren McGregor picked up a yellow card nine minutes from the break but Cork were unable to make their numerical advantage tell as while Amee Corcoran and Emma Cleary hit points from play, scores at the other end from Brid McMaugh and Kellyann Hogan from free’s put Waterford comfortably in front at the break.

Cork started the second half brightly with points from Quirke and Leah Hallinan, but a brace from Kellyann Hogan by the 40-minute restored a seven-point advantage for Waterford.

Points from Rachel O’Regan and Sadbh McGoldrick for Cork brought them closer with the game in its final quarter. A Quirke free brought the gap down to four with 14 minutes remaining.

Katelyn Gardner had to get a huge touch on a Áine Terry O’Sullivan effort as Cork piled on the pressure. Karen McGrath did all the hard work herself before splitting the post to put Waterford four in front but picked up a head injury for her troubles.

Emma Cleary was set up by Melissa Duggan with seven minutes remaining but she ballooned her effort well over the crossbar to leave four between the sides.

Cork were handed a lifeline with just over two and a half minutes to play when they were awarded a penalty when Quirke was fouled inside the box by a combination of Cora Murray and Áine O’Neill. Quirke took the spot kick herself sending goalkeeper Gardner the wrong way.

Áine Terry O’Sullivan pointed with the aid of the upright and Rachel O’Regan followed up to draw the sides level with 62 seconds remaining and with Cork piling on the pressure Gardner had to save low down from O’Sullivan putting the ball out for a ’45. From the 45 metre line the ball was worked to Quirke who fired over with five second remaining to give her side what looked at one stage an unlikely victory.

Scorers: Cork: K Quirke 1-5 (1-0 pen, 4f), R O’Regan 0-3, A Terry O’Sullivan, E Cleary 0-2 each, L Hallinan, S McGoldrick, A Corcoran 0-1 each.

Waterford: K Hogan 0-8 (5f), K McGrath 1-1, B McMaugh 0-2, K Murray, C Walsh, L McGregor 0-1 each.

CORK: S Murphy; M Duggan, S Kelly, D Kiniry; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; M O’Callaghan, K Redmond; R Leahy, L Hallihan, E Cleary; G Murphy, K Quirke, A O’Sullivan. Subs: R O’Regan for R Leahy (28), S Callanan for D Kiniry (HT), A Ring for G Murphy (44), K O’Driscoll for M Duggan (54).

WATERFORD: K Gardner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Casey; L Cusack, K McGrath, R Browne; E Power, Á O’Neill; M Daly, K Hogan, K Murray; C Walsh, B McMaugh, L McGregor. Subs: A McGrath for L Cusack (44), C Fennell for B McMaugh (48), L Ni hArta for K McGrath (49) H McGrath for C Walsh (57).

Referee: R McBride (Dublin).