Gala Senior Camogie Championship Semi Final – Cork v Wexford

Gala Senior Camogie Championship Semi Final – O’ Duffy Cup

Cork defeated Wexford by 2-13 to 1-10 on Saturday at Nowlan Park Kilkenny in the Gala Senior Camogie Championship Semi Final. Cork will now play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Final.

Champions Cork overturned a half-time shortfall of 1-5 to 0-6 to go on and triumph over National League holders Wexford, 2-13 to 1-10. The Slaneysiders were full value for their interval advantage holding the upper hand in vital sectors. Leaving Cert student Kartrina Parrock was impressive in the half forward line and it was her shot which was initially saved by Aoife Murray that was eventually finished to the net by Ursula Jacob on 19 minutes.

However, and probably after a stern telling off from manager Denise Cronin, Cork emerged a different team for the second 30 minutes. Playing into the wind, they had to survive a tough opening five minutes before finding top gear themselves. The lion-hearted Briege Corkery roared into action. Her surge forward on 40 minutes which yielded Cork’s first goal levelled matters, 1-8 apiece. Three minutes later following good work by Rachel Moloney and sub Julia White, Emer O’Farrell whipped home their second goal. From there to the end the Rebels outscored Wexford four points to two to qualify for a remarkable eighth consecutive final appearance.

Cork 2-13, B Corkery 1-1, E O’Farrell 1-0, R Moloney 0-7f,O Cotter, G O’Connor,U O’Donoghue, K Mackey, S Burns, 0-1 each

Wexford 1-10,U Jacob 1-2, K Kelly 0 -4(0-2f, 0-1’45),K Parrock 0-2,C Murphy R Breen 0-1 each

Therese O’Callaghan
Camogie Association PR and Media
Corkery’s class fires Rebelettes to final

Cork 2-13 Wexford 1-10

By Jim O’Sullivan for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Monday, August 17, 2009

NOT WITH STANDING the magnificent Briege Corkery, the other key reason why holders Cork won through to meet Kilkenny in the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie decider was simply that as a unit, they responded so effectively to a below par first-half display. At half-time in Saturday’s semi-final in Nowlan Park, their prospects of making it to the final looked decidedly shaky when they trailed by two points after having enjoyed the advantage of the wind. But, drawing inspiration from a 40th minute goal from midfielder Corkery – and further boosted minutes later by a second from Emer O’Farrell which was made by outstanding substitute Julia White – they outplayed a Wexford side which had beaten them in the 2007 final. “I don’t think we played well in the first half and we knew that ourselves in the dressing room,” said Cork manager Denise Cronin – the winning captain 14 years ago when Cork last met Kilkenny in a final. “We spoke about what we needed to do in each position and the players all worked harder in the second half.”

Scores were level three times in the opening quarter before Ursula Jacob (daughter of former great Mick Jacob) goaled for Wexford in the 19th minute. On balance, they looked stronger in attack – with Katrina Parrock very impressive – and comfortable at the back against a Cork attack dependent on the free-taking of Rachel Moloney. Dual star Corkery was a dynamo and contributed two points from play. At the break, it was 1-5 to 0-6 and while Cork showed a steady improvement in the early stages of the second half, Wexford’s confident play enabled them to stay in front. But, then came Corkery’s goal. It levelled the scores and changed the course of the game.

“It maybe went away from us in the second half,” said a devastated Wexford manager Stella Sinnott. “Cork are hugely experienced and when the going got tough, their big players came up to the mark. The first goal probably killed the game and when they got the next one very quickly after that, heads maybe dropped.” Corkery’s recall of her goal was characteristically humorous. “Gemma (O’Connor) gave me a ball through the centre and it was normally a ball that I’d miss – and when I get near the goals I normally miss as well. One night at training (goalkeeper) Aoife Murray gave out to me because I’d be laughing every time I’d go in for a goal. “She told me to ‘cop’ myself on, that if I put my mind to it, I could do it. And that’s exactly what I was thinking about as I was going in!”

Wexford competed gamely all the way to the finish but they were fighting a losing battle from the time O’Farrell’s goal went in. Cork’s full-back line was heroic, Murray was inspirational in goal and Mary O’Connor was every bit as strong at centre-back as was Cathríona Foley at the edge of the square. Additionally, Orla Connor, Gemma O’Connor and an improved Rachel Moloney made important contributions, as did substitutes Linda O’Connell and Julia White in particular. Cronin acknowledged the greater return from the forwards as a group once they opened up the play, saying: “I knew once we got the lead we weren’t going to let it behind.” Meanwhile, the Wexford boss Sinnott gives Kilkenny a good chance in the final: “I don’t think they will have any fear – they showed that against Galway. It will need a huge performance, but I’d still fancy their chances. Cork won’t like playing them. They’re a young fast team.”

Scorers for Cork: R. Moloney 0-8 (0-6 frees); B. Corkery 1-2; E. O’Farrell 1-0; S. Burns, U. O’Donoghue and G. O’Connor 0-1 each.

Wexford: U. Jacob 1-2; K. Kelly 0-4 (0-3 frees); K. Parrock 0-2; C. Murphy and R.M. Breen 0-1 each.

CORK: A. Murray; J. O’Callaghan, C. Foley, R. Buckley; J. Duffy, M. O’Connor, S. Hayes; B. Corkery, O. Cotter; E. Dillon, G. O’Connor, U. O’Donoghue; S. Burns, E. O’Farrell, R. Moloney
Subs: L. O’Connell for Duffy (23rd minute); J. White for Dillon (28); K. Mackey for O’Farrell (54); E. O’Sullivan for O’Donoghue (52).

WEXFORD: M. Darcy; D. Codd, C. O’Loughlin, C. O’Connor; A. Codd, M. Leacy, A. O’Connor (capt.); C. Murphy, K. Kelly; M. O’Leary, R.M. Breen, K. Parrock; U. Leacy, U. Jacob, J. Dwyer
Subs: L. Holohan for Murphy (47); M. Hearne for U. Leacy (59).

Referee: Una Kearney (Armagh)

Match Preview

Apprehensive best describes the mood in these two camps. Cork are the reigning champions and are unbeaten in the championship thus far. There is massive competition for places down Leeside resulting in Emer O’Farrell denying captain Amanda O’Regan her place at full forward.

Catherine O’Loughlin is lining out at full back for Wexford after missing most of the league because of travelling, while Katrina Parrock will be hoping to celebrate on the double this week after receiving her Leaving Cert results on Wednesday.

Verdict: Cork

Team News

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

Wexford: M D’Arcy; D Codd, C O’Loughlin, C O’Connor; Á Codd, M Leacy, A O’Connor (Capt); C Murphy, M O’Leary; U Leacy, R M Breen, K Parrock; U Jacob, K Kelly, J Dwyer.