IT was a weekend of contrasting fortunes for Cork camogie’s Carbery representatives as the county’s U17s and U23s won but their minors lost to Galway.

In its inaugural year, Galway inflicted a 1-11 to 1-8 Glen Dimplex U23 All-Ireland final defeat on Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, last July.

Captained by Enniskeane’s Daire O’Brien, Carbery’s other representatives in that U23 team included Claire Kingston (Newcestown), Millie Condon (Ballinascarthy) and Amy McCarthy (Clonakilty).

Now in its second season, Cork began their U23 campaign under new manager Jerry Wallace and a quarter-final tie at home to Clare. Last Sunday’s meeting at Castle Road saw the Rebels emerge narrow 0-11 to 0-9 winners.

Carbery’s players on the Cork U23 match day panel included Amy McCarthy, Niamh Kennedy (both Clonakilty) and Maebh O’Brien (Enniskeane).

The Rebels, having played with the benefit of a strong wind, enjoyed a four-point lead at the interval. Clare managed to reduce the deficit to two points close to the end but Cork pulled away in the closing stages and deservedly won.

Ava McAuliffe (0-5), Aoife Byrne O’Riordan, Orlaith Cremin (0-2 each), Rose Murphy and Ciara Morrison (0-1 each) provided the winners’ scores.

As a result of last Sunday’s win, Cork will travel to Limerick for a Munster U23 semi-final clash against the host county this weekend. A date and venue are yet to be confirmed for that encounter. This year’s U23 provincial decider is pencilled in for the weekend of March 21st and 22nd.

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It was a disappointing weekend for the Cork minors who lost away to Galway in the group phase of the Electric Ireland Minor A Camogie Championship.

Carnmore was the venue for the Munster champions’ third All-Ireland outing. Hopes were high of another positive result following a narrow loss to Tipperary and three-point win over Limerick.

Alas, Mossy O’Sullivan’s side, despite another battling effort, succumbed to a 3-10 to 1-12 loss.

A gale wind helped the visitors build a commanding 0-11 to 1-0 interval lead. Galway had the benefit of the elements in the following period and made better use of the strengthening wind to net three second half goals.

Carbery camogie’s representatives on this year’s Cork minor panel include Katie Crowley, Caoimhe Foley (both Courcey Rovers), Clíona Harte (Barryroe) and Karen O’Sullivan (Newcestown).

Harte scored a point for a Cork team that also had Lea Meillouin (1-2), Clara Murphy (0-3), Lexi Manley (0-3), Erin Healy, Leah Hannigan, Bláithín Cunniffe (0-1 each) on their scoresheet.

Cork are back in All-Ireland Minor action on March 15th with an away fixture in Dublin. That precedes the final round of group fixtures on March 29th when Kilkenny visit Leeside.

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The Cork camogie U17 development squad produced an excellent display to defeat their Galway counterparts 3-7 to 2-6 last Sunday. Ballinascarthy’s Amber Bishop was part of the Cork U17 team that overcame their Connacht opponents.