Gala Senior Camogie Championship – Cork vs. Dublin

Camogie teams around the country observed a minute silence at the weekend for Joe and Anne O’Connell who died tragically in America a week ago. Anne, who played camogie in her home county of Galway also enjoyed a stint with Glen Rovers of Cork, and was remembered in Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday before the start of the Cork versus Dublin Gala All Ireland senior championship game.

Cork manager Denise Cronin who played alongside Anne in the victorious Glen Rovers All Ireland winning club side of 1992 said it is a very emotional time for all who knew her.
“We went out to the 45 metre line and stood together as a mark of respect. This is a terribly sad time for both families and our thoughts are with them.”

Champions Cork went on to record a big win over the Blues 3-21 to 1-7, and Cronin added how important it was to get this win under their belt.

“The Cork club championship starts on Wednesday so we will only have four training sessions before our next match away to Kilkenny on July 11. That is a big game for us because if we can beat Kilkenny, to a degree, we are through to the semi-finals, but if we lose we will be under pressure in our final group game at home to Tipperary at the beginning of August.”

The Cork boss also said it gave them an opportunity to use their substitutions.

“There is a fine line between the starting 15 and players on the bench, so it afforded us the opportunity to see five subs as well. Picking the team is our hardest job because you are leaving off equally good players and you don’t want to break their confidence.”

Cork led 1-15 to 1-1 at the break with the goal coming from skipper Amanda O’Regan and in the second half majors arrived from Eimear O’Sullivan and sub Emer O’Farrell. Rachel Moloney too was in fine form hitting 0-10 with five from play. Ciara Lucey was Dublin’s best player firing their goal mid way through the opening half.

Champions Cork got their Gala All-Ireland campaign off to a flying start defeating Dublin at Páirc Ui Rinn on a score of 3-21 to 1-7. Cork skipper Amanda O’Regan led the way with the home side’s opening goal to give the Leesiders a 1-15 to 1-1 interval lead.  Ciara Lucey provided the Dublin goal midway through the half.

In the final 30 minutes as the points sailed over Cork stamped their authority on this game with two further green flags from Eimear O’Sullivan and Emer O’Farrell.

Fixture Details

Saturday June 20th
Gala Senior Camogie Championship
Cork vs. Dublin @ 3:15pm
Referee: Fintan McNamara (Clare)
Venue: Pairc Ui Rinn

Match Preview / Team News

Champions Cork welcome back Emer Dillon to the side this year in what can be seen as further strengthening their hand as they set out to defend their Gala All Ireland senior camogie title on Saturday.

After exiting the league early the Leesiders have worked away quietly and will certainly go out to make life difficult for Peter Lucey’s Dublin. Lucey, a Cork man himself, however will not be in awe and would love to spring a surprise in this first round tie.

Cork: A Murray; J O’Callaghan, R Buckley, L O’Connell; J Duffy, M O’Connor, S Hayes; O Cotter, B Corkery; E Dillon, G O’Connor, E O’Sullivan; S Burns, A O’Regan, R Moloney.

Dublin: S McCarthy; A Fitzpatrick, T Corrigan, R Ruddy; A Maguire, S Ryan, C Power; C Lucey, L Twomey; R Costello, L O’Hara, C Cooney; E Lucey, A Murphy, J Hoey.