*Hannah Mai Neylon tries to get through the Cork defence.
CLARE were a level off Cork as they fell short in the Munster senior camogie semi-final.
Cork 1-17
Clare 1-9
Venue: Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Cork were by far the most effective and ran out deserving winners in what was a battle of two sides who have very different intentions for 2024.
Reigning All-Ireland champions Cork will be bidding to be in the business end of the championship whereas Clare can only focus on consolidating their status in the top tier.
Zi Yan Spillane’s dropping shot spilled into the net on the fourth minute to give Clare the lead for the first time, an advantage they held for less than sixty seconds as they conceded a goal straight from the puckout killing off their momentum before it had to a chance to come to life.
From the puck-out Cork worked the ball forward, centre-forward Saoirse McCarthy cut through the middle with ease and a green flag followed.
Rachel Daly who is in her first year as the senior goalkeeper made an excellent save from Clare Mullins with twenty minutes played, by this stage the Rebelettes had just a two point lead.
However they hit the next seven points without reply, Caoimhe Cahill struck the last score of the half to see the visitors trail by seven come the half-time whistle.
Spillane and Áine O’Loughlin reduced the margin to five points as Clare started the second half well but they conceded the next four points to undo this and were fortunate that Daly made another save to prevent Cork raiding for a second goal.
Those scores from Amy O’Connor, Laura Hayes, McCarthy and Sorcha McCartan fleshed out a nine point gap between the sides and the air of inevitability about the result.
Cahill and two pointed O’Loughlin frees saw John Carmody’s side make another contribution to the scoreboard but the impact from the Cork bench ensured their challenge wouldn’t waiver with Clodagh Finn popping over three points on her introduction.
Losing by eight points against the All-Ireland champions is sadly now viewed as a positive result for Clare’s senior camogie side given their continued decline in the top flight. While the focus now switches to the All-Ireland series which commences on May 25th, there needs to be a monumental improvement in fitness and overall general play for Clare to have a chance of making any waves in that competition.
Scorers for Cork: S McCarthy 1-3, A O’Connor 0-5 (4f), C Finn, S McCartan (1f) 0-3 each, A Thompson, O Cahalane, L Hayes 0-1 each.
Scorers Clare: A O’Loughlin 0-6 (6f), Z Spillane 1-0, C Cahill 0-2.
Cork:
1: Amy Lee (Na Piarsaigh)
2: Meabh Murray (Ballinora)
3: Libby Coppinger (St Colums)
4: Meabh Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
5: Izzy O’Regan (Ballygarvan)
6: Laura Treacy (Killeagh)
7: Ashling Thompson (Milford)
9: Laura Hayes (St Catherines)
10: Hannah Looney (Killeagh)
14: Sorcha McCartan (St Finbarr’s)
12: Saoirse McCarthy (Courcey Rovers)
19: Hayley Ryan (Blackrock)
13: Amy O’Connor (St Vincent’s)
20: Clare Mullins (Sarsfields)
15: Orlaith Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
Subs:
18: Grainne Cahalane (St Finbarr’s) for O’Regan (41)
24: Millie Condon (Ballinascarthy) for Looney (44)
Clare:
1: Rachel Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
2: Susan Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
3: Abby Walsh (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
4: Muireann Scanlon (Sixmilebridge)
7: Cliodhna Queally (Inagh/Kilnamona)
6: Ciara Grogan (Clooney/Quin)
5: Niamh Mulqueen (Broadford)
9: Caoimhe Carmody (Kilmaley)
8: Grace Carmody (Kilmaley)
10: Aoife Anderson (Ruan)
11: Áine O’Loughlin (Truagh/Clonlara)
12: Labhaoise O’Donnell (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
20: Jennifer Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe)
15: Caoimhe Cahill (Kilmaley)
13: Zi Yan Spillane (Feakle/Killanena)
Subs:
25: Roisin Begley (Truagh/Clonlara) for J Daly (HT)
17: Ellen Casey (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Queally (41)
18: Linda Daly (Scariff/Ogonnelloe) for O’Donnell (41)
20: Laura Foley (Truagh/Clonlara) for G Carmody (45)
14: Hannah Mai Neylon (Clarecastle/Ballyea) for Anderson (51).
Referee: Joe Leahy (Tipperary)
