Tipperary 1-18

Cork 2-9

BY MATTHEW HURLEY

GER Manley’s Cork side will look ahead to the All-Ireland championship after Tipperary ended their Munster camogie championship interest in this quarter-final in Semple Stadium.

It was the Rebels’ fourth loss in six competitive games this year, but a prolonged period of rest could do the Rebels good as injuries to key players are taking a toll on the season so far.

Their next game is their All-Ireland championship opener against holders Galway in June.

Tipp made their mark from the off and hit 0-4 without reply inside five minutes. Grace O’Brien (2), Caoimhe Stakelum and Kate Ralph put the home side in control.

Cork, to their credit, responded with three of the next four points as Saoirse McCarthy started to pull the strings with 0-2 while Sorcha McCartan also found the target.

Tipp found their groove again, outscoring Cork by 0-4 to 0-1 between the 13th and 27th minutes to make it 0-9 to 0-4.

Cork got a lifeline, however, as a brilliant turnover by McCartan put Orlaith Cahalane through on goal. The St Finbarr’s player fired home to get the Rebels back in the game.

Niamh McNabola almost netted again for Cork but her pass was intercepted by Tipp full-back Mairead Eviston.

Cork’s McNabola and Tipp’s O’Brien traded scores to leave it 0-10 to 1-5 at the break.

Manley’s team did start the second-half stronger and took the lead through three McCarthy frees.

The home side regained the advantage courtesy of Eimear McGrath and Eimear Heffernan but Laura Hayes levelled it, 0-12 to 1-9.

Another Cork goal chance drifted away after McCartan was hooked before she attempted to strike. 

It was Tipp who took a firm grip on this quarter-final though with 1-4 unanswered and killed off Cork’s challenge.

McGrath was particularly on fire during this time with 1-3. Her goal, assisted by O’Brien, was hit with an effort that gave Cork netminder Amy Lee no chance. That left it 1-16 to 1-9 - game over.

Substitute Keeva McCarthy got her name on the scoresheet with a goal but it was too little, too late. 

It’s back to the drawing board now for the Rebels, who will be hoping for better luck in the All-Ireland series.

Scorers 

Cork: Orlaith Cahalane 1-1; Saoirse McCarthy 0-5 (4f); Keeva McCarthy 1-0; Sorcha McCartan, Niamh McNabola, Laura Hayes 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Eimear McGrath 1-4 (3f); Grace O’Brien 0-3; Caoimhe Stakelum 0-2 (1f); Kate Ralph 0-2; Eimear Heffernan 0-2; Jean Kelly 0-2; Karin Blair 0-2; Clodagh McIntyre 0-1.

Cork: Amy Lee (Na Piarsaigh); Meabh Murphy (Ballinora), Libby Coppinger (St Colum’s), Meabh Cahalane (St Finbarr’s); Izzy O’Regan (Ballygarvan), Laura Hayes (St Catherine’s), Ava Fitzgerald (Sarsfields); Millie Condon (Ballinascarthy), Orlaith Cremin (Eire Og); Emma Murphy (Glen Rovers), Orlaith Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Saoirse McCarthy (Courcey Rovers); Hayley Ryan (Blackrock), Sorcha McCartan (St Finbarr’s), Ava McAuliffe (Castlemartyr).

Subs: Niamh McNabola (Cloughduv) for E Murphy (23), Keeva McCarthy (St Finbarr’s) for O Cremin (44), Cliona O’Callaghan (Blackrock) for A McAuliffe (52), Rachel Harty (Ballyhea) for H Ryan (56).

Tipperary: Laura Leenane; Amy Quinlisk, Mairead Eviston, Eimear Loughman; Karin Blair, Celine Guinan, Caoimhe McCarthy; Karen Kennedy, Kate Ralph; Aoife Dwyer, Roisin Howard, Clodagh McIntyre; Caoimhe Stakelum, Eimear McGrath, Grace O’Brien.

Subs: Caoimhe Maher for C Guinan (ht), Eimear Heffernan for A Dwyer (39), Lucy Purcell for K Ralph (52), Niamh Treacy for R Howard (56), Jean Kelly for E McGrath (60).

Referee: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Limerick).