CORK 1-12

WATERFORD 3-5

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

IT’S a sign of a good team to win even when you’re not playing well, and that’s a good place to start when describing Cork’s latest league win. Just ask captain Emma Cleary.

‘I’m delighted to get the points,’ Cleary said after Cork kept their unbeaten record to stay top of Division 1 with a narrow win against Waterford at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening.

‘It definitely wasn’t our best performance of the league. On top of that, we conceded three soft goals as well, which we’re probably not happy with.

‘In fairness to the girls, our backs were against the walls when the last goal went in and we dug it out. It’s another two points on the board and we’re happy enough with that.’

Player of the match Rosie Corkery with David Gregory O’Donovan Cleary, Lidl Mallow, and his daughter Fraya. (Photo: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile)

This was far from straightforward and a late Katie Quirke free was required before Cork registered their fourth win in five league outings, and boosted their chances of qualifying for the Division 1 final.

Maeve Daly’s second-half temporary sin-binning proved a turning point as Cork outscored their opponents 1-5 to 0-1 during that period. Also, Cork’s ability to patiently maintain possession and pick off scores saw Joe Carroll’s side remain top of Division 1.

‘Playing Waterford, we always know it’s going to be a tough battle,’ player of the match Rosie Corkery told The Southern Star.

‘They’re a hard-working side. They are tough, physical, and we’re delighted to get over the line tonight,’ the Naomh Abán player added.

The visitors led by one point at the break, thanks in no small part to Bríd McMaugh’s tenth-minute goal. The Waterford forward found the top corner via a speculative attempt after Abbie O’Mahony had scored the game’s opening point.

In a first half blighted by turnovers – 11 for Cork, eight for Waterford – both sides' patient approach meant scoring opportunities were at a premium.

Emma Cleary raised a second Cork white flag after Rachel O’Regan had wasted a goal chance. Waterford responded via Kellyann Hogan and Áine O’Neill to make it 1-2 to 0-2 after 21 minutes.

Well marshalled by Rebecca Casey, Katie Quirke broke free to fire over a cracking score. Chloe Fennell converted a free at the opposite end before Rosie Corkery and Rachel Leahy points saw Waterford go in 1-3 to 0-5 ahead at the interval.

Aoife Healy score Cork's side's second goal despite the attention of Waterford's Rebecca Casey. (Photo: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile)

Cork levelled matters when Quirke curled over a fine point shortly after the restart.

Waterford were then reduced to 14 players when Maeve Daly was sin-binned after running into Melissa Duggan. It was a pivotal moment as Cork outscored Waterford 1-5 to 0-1 in the following ten-minute spell.

Sadbh McGoldrick and half-time sub Áine Terry O’Sullivan points made it 0-8 to 1-3. Katie Quirke converted a free and added her fourth and fifth scores to stretch Cork’s lead to five midway through the second period.

Áine O’Neill kicked Waterford’s first score of the second half before Cork broke from deep and worked the ball to Aoife Healy who found the bottom corner.

Things were looking bleak for the Déise until Bríd McMaugh’s harmless long-range attempt was, bizarrely, allowed to bounce into Cork’s net. That made it 1-11 to 2-4 with 12 minutes remaining. Waterford kept pressing and netted a third goal when Clare Walsh, standing on the edge of the square, punched a long delivery into the net.

Next Chloe Fennell landed a free to level the score with four minutes to go. But Cork remained patient in possession and won a free in front of Waterford’s goal that Katie Quirke converted.

The Rebels regained possession and held out until the hooter to maintain top spot in Division 1.

Cork and Dohenys supporters Jack Hayes, Sean Hayes, Mags White and Mia White supporting the Rebels against Waterford.

‘Even though we conceded a few soft goals, I think we played very well in the second half. Some of our football was exceptionally good,’ boss Joe Carroll noted.

‘Our forward play in the first half wasn't great, and I think it was much, much improved. They listened to what we told them at half-time, and it was much improved in the second half. But it would be a concern that we conceded a few goals to let Waterford back into it.’

Emma Cleary added: ‘We are not going away. We’re digging out results, which is probably something we wouldn’t have previously done, and might have dropped the heads when things went against us.

‘It’s another two points on the board and we’re happy out.’

Next up is a home game against Meath on March 21st

Scorers

Cork: K Quirke 0-6 (3f); A Healy 1-0; A O’Mahony, E Cleary, R Corkery, R Leahy, S McGoldrick, Á T O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Waterford: B McMaugh 2-0; C Walsh 1-0; C Fennell (1f), A O’Neill 0-2 each; K Hogan 0-1.

Cork: Sarah Murphy (Bride Rovers); Melissa Duggan (Dohenys), Dara Kiniry (Lisgoold), Shauna Kelly (Araglen Desmonds Buí); Aimee Corcoran (Erin’s Own), Sadbh McGoldrick (Éire Óg), Rosie Corkery (Naomh Abán); Aoife Healy (St Colman’s), Abbie O’Mahony (Glanmire); Rachel Leahy (Aghada), Grace Ní Mhurchú (Naomh Abán), Emma Cleary (Éire Óg); Rachel O'Regan (Carrigaline), Katie Quirke (Bride Rovers), Leah Hallihan (Bride Rovers).

Subs: Áine Terry O’Sullivan (Beara) for R O’Regan (ht), Ciara Hughes (St Val’s) for A Corcoran (50), Máire O’Callaghan (Mourneabbey) for A O’Mahony (50), Abigail Ring (Aghada) for L Hallahan (53), Kate Redmond Kinsale for G Ní Mhurchú (55).

Waterford: Katelyn Gardiner; Cora Murray, Rebecca Casey, Maeve Daly; Karen McGrath, Emma Murray, Laura Mulcahy; Áine O’Neill, Eve Power; Katie Murray, Kellyann Hogan, Bríd McMaugh; Chloe Fennell, Laura Cusack, Ruby Browne.

Subs: Clare Walsh for K Hogan (45), Gemma Corcoran for K Gardiner (46), Hannah McGrath for E Power (47), Jade Queally for M Daly (50).

Referee: Eoghan O’Neill (Kildare).