Gala Senior and Intermediate Camogie Championship – Kilkenny vs. Cork

CHAMPIONS Cork were put to the pin of their collar by Kilkenny in the Gala All Ireland senior camogie championship (Group One) at Nowlan Park on Saturday. However, despite the relentless rain that made conditions extremely difficult, they regained the lead in the second half to emerge victorious on a score of 2-5 to 0-7.

Credit must go to Denise Cronin’s charges who received a stiff examination. After a low-scoring first half played in torrential rain, the Red and White turned over leading by a single point, 0-3 to 0-2. Kilkenny were awarded a penalty soon after the resumption but the alertness of Aoife Murray in the Cork goal diverted Michelle Quilty’s effort over for a point.

It was a battle all the way until substitute Emer O’Farrell found the net at the end of the third quarter. Cork continued to drive forward with Gemma O’Connor and Emer Dillon in control and when Rachel Moloney bagged their second goal three minutes later, Kilkenny were up against an inspired Cork.

They never gave up through their captain Ann Dalton and Quilty but scores were hard come by as Cork held out. This group which also involves Tipperary and Dublin will go down to the wire to determine the semi-finals places.

GALA SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Cork 2-5, E O’Farrell,R Moloney 1-0 each,O Cotter 0-2, G O’Connor,E Dillon, 0-1 each, E White 0-1f

Kilkenny, 0-7, A Neary 0-3 (0-1f),M O’Connor, E Alyward 0-1f each,L Power,M Quilty 0-1 each

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Cork 5-12,M Watson 2-3 M Browne 1-4,(0-3f), D Looby 1-3 (0-1f), M Coleman 1-0,J Lynch, C Dineen 0-1 each

Kilkenny 1-2,E Cantwell 1-0,S Quirke,C Walsh 0-1 each

Match Preview

Champions Cork can expect a tough game from Kilkenny following the Cats’ three-point win over Tipperary. Still, the Leesiders are firing on all cylinders again this year and will be hard opposition for any team. Rachel Moloney bagged 10 points in their win over Dublin.

For Kilkenny this is a big test. Home advantage should work in their favour and with Jacquie Frisby and Colette Dormer in good form they will give it their all. However, they will have to be at their very best to topple the titleholders.

Team News

Kilkenny: C Ryan; L Fennelly, C Doherty, J Frisby; L Lyng, A Butler, E Aylward; C Dormer, A Dalton (Capt); T Muldowney, K Power, A Dunphy; M Quilty, E Keane, A Neary.

Cork: A Murray; J O’Callaghan, R Buckley, C Foley; J Duffy, M O’Connor, S Hayes; O Cotter, B Corkery; E Dillon, G O’Connor, U O’Donoghue; S Burns, A O’Regan (Capt), R Moloney.