2024 Very Division 1A Camogie League – Tipperary 2-10 Cork 1-10

Two late goals see Tipp beat Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn

Very Division 1A camogie League: Cork 1-10 Tipperary 2-10.

Report by Therese O’Callaghan for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Tipperary struck late in Páirc Uí Rinn to emerge winners over Cork in round 3 of the Very Division 1A camogie League today.

Trailing by two points with four minutes remaining, goals from Eimear McGrath (59) and substitute Niamh Treacy (65) leaves Denis Kelly’s charges in a good position with fixtures against Kilkenny and Clare to come.

Tipperary led by three points at the short whistle, but Cork fought back to take the lead. However, Tipp’s powerful finish saw them prevail.

The victory came on a day when Cáit Devane tied the knot with partner Colm Ryan, it is believed the Clonoulty/Rossmore star is taking a year out from the game.

Cork meanwhile, also remain in the hunt for a league final spot, this was their first loss of the campaign, having already recorded wins over Kilkenny and Waterford.

The top two teams in this division qualify for the final.

The only bum note for Tipperary was a leg injury suffered by Clodagh McIntyre towards the end of the hour.

Tipperary, with wind advantage, enjoyed a bright start, wing-back McIntyre pointing in the third minute. But the visitors should have been further ahead, their second white flag didn’t arrive until seven minutes later from Mary Bourke as they opted to pull players out the field, leaving Cork’s Meabh Cahalane with lots of space.

Orlaith Mullins opened Cork’s account just before the quarter hour mark, and they also struck the next two points from Amy O’Connor (45) and Sorcha McCartan (free) to level matters 0-3 apiece.

The free-count was very much in the Rebel’s favour, but they failed to make it count. The sliotar either dropped short or into the hands of goalkeeper Nicole Walsh. They also racked up five wides.

Tipperary found their groove coming up to the break. First wing-back Caoimhe McCarthy pointed, and this was followed by one from Róisín Howard – who controlled the ball skilfully despite under pressure.

Eimear McGrath had the final say of the half from a placed ball after Eimear Heffernan was fouled.

McGrath also brought the best out of Cork ‘keeper Molly Lynch, who saved her rasping shot to leave the half-time score 0-6 to 0-3 in Tipperary’s favour.

All-Star Karen Kennedy came into the action for Tipperary in the second half, while Cork introduced the vastly experienced Katrina Mackey and Laura Treacy.

It was the hosts who restarted more positively, 1-1 came from O’Connor within a two minutes spell – the goal deceived Walsh between the posts.

Good work by Meabh Murphy, who tracked back, prevented Tipperary from a possible goal as the home side outhit their opponents 1-4 to 0-1.

Trailing 1-7 to 0-7, Tipperary never gave up the fight.

Ahead by two, Cork should have cleared their lines, and when Eimear McGrath was set up by Róisín Howard, Tipperary moved 1-9 to 1-8 up after sterling work by Caoimhe Maher.

Karen Kennedy was central to their second goal, her shot was saved by Lynch, but Niamh Treacy was on hand to fire the rebound to the net.

Cork’s only reply in those closing stages were Amy O’Connor and Sorcha McCartan frees.

*A minute’s silence was observed before the throw-in to remember Pa Finn and Mel Clinton (nee Cummins).

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor (1-6, 0-1 45, 0-4 frees), S McCartan (0-2 frees), O Mullins and C Finn (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: E McGrath (1-4, 0-3 frees), N Treacy (1-0), Caoimhe Maher (0-2), C McCarthy, C McIntyre, M Bourke and R Howard (0-1 each).

CORK: M Lynch (Capt); M Murphy, L Coppinger, A Barrett; I O’Regan, A Thompson, M Cahalane; L Hayes, H Looney; C Healy, E Murphy, F Keating; A O’Connor, O Mullins, S McCartan.
Subs: K Mackey for C Healy, L Treacy for A Barrett (both half-time), C Finn for O Mullins (39), N O’Callaghan for E Murphy (48).

TIPPERARY: N Walsh; K Blair, M Eviston, E Loughman; C McIntyre, E Cunneen, C McCarthy; T Ryan, C Hennessy; R Howard, Caoimhe Maher (Capt), G Moloney; E Heffernan, E McGrath, M Bourke.
Subs: K Kennedy for E Heffernan (half-time), N Treacy for G Moloney (45), C Perdue for M Bourke (48), Ciardha Maher for C Hennessy (52), E Carey for C McIntyre (58 inj).

Referee: Barry Nea (Westmeath).