Harsh lesson for Tipperary seniors who come up well short against impressive Cork outfit

All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship - Round 1

Tipperary 1-9

Cork 3-21

Tipperary faced a tough afternoon in their latest championship outing, falling to a powerful Cork side who came out of the blocks with real intent at Páirc Uí Rinn.

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Despite a bright second-half spell, the Premier were unable to recover from a blistering Cork start that saw the hosts register three goals inside the opening ten minutes.

Tipperary found themselves on the back foot almost immediately as Cork opened the scoring within 20 seconds, with Laura Hayes linking up with Amy O’Connor to register the first point. 

Hayes then added one of her own before the goals began to flow. Clodagh Finn netted Cork’s opener following a smart pass from Katrina Mackey, before O’Connor and Mackey combined with Saoirse McCarthy to notch Cork’s second. Finn then turned provider as Mackey struck for a third to leave Tipp reeling at 3-2 to 0-1.

Tipperary’s response was spirited. Roisin Howard’s strong running helped carve out a chance for Mary Burke, who coolly finished to the net to raise green for the visitors. Sarah Corcoran added a well-taken point to make it 1-2, but Cork’s scoring machine continued to tick over with O’Connor, Emma Murphy, and Mackey keeping the scoreboard moving for the Rebels.

By half time, Cork had built an imposing 3-13 to 1-2 lead, thanks in large part to O’Connor’s pinpoint accuracy from placed balls.

With the wind at their backs after the restart, Tipp began the second half with more purpose. Karen Kennedy led the charge with two quick-fire points, and Howard chipped in again to narrow the margin. Tipp’s defensive unit, led by Cáit Maher and Meabh Eviston, also showed admirable resilience during this spell.

However, Cork’s scoring touch never left them, with O’Connor continuing her superb form to extend their lead. Ciara O’Sullivan and Sorcha McCartan tagged on late points as Cork saw out the win comfortably.

Despite the defeat, there were positives for Tipperary - Kennedy’s second-half leadership, Howard’s industry, and the team’s refusal to let heads drop after a difficult start. With more consistency in both attack and defence, Tipp will look to regroup ahead of their next outing.

Scorers: Tipperary: Mary Burke 1-0, Roisin Howard, Karen Kennedy, Clodagh McCarthy all 0-2 each; Sarah Corcoran 0-1, Grace O’Brien, Jean Kelly  0-1f each.

Cork: Amy O’Connor (1-13, 0-8f), Katrina Mackey 1-2, Clodagh Finn 1-1, Laura Hayes, Saoirse McCarthy, Emma Murphy, Ciara O’Sullivan, Sorcha McCartan all 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Laura Leenane; Julieanne Bourke, Karin Blair, Eimear Loughman; Caoimhe McCarthy, Mairead Eviston, Caoimhe Maher; Sarah Corcoran, Niamh Treacy; Ellen Cunneen, Mary Burke, Casey Hennessy; Karen Kennedy, Roisin Howard, Grace O’Brien. 

Subs used: Emma Carey for C Maher (HT); Niamh Costigan for J Bourke (HT); Jean Kelly for E Loughman (HT); Amy Quinlisk for N Treacy (HT); Sarah Madden for G O’Brien (56). 

Cork: Amy Lee; Meabh Murphy, Pamela Mackey, Meabh Cahalane; Aoife Healy, Laura Treacy, Laura Hayes; Hannah Looney, Ashling Thompson; Emma Murphy, Saoirse McCarthy, Orlaith Cahalane; Clodagh Finn, Katrina Mackey, Amy O’Connor. 

Subs used: Cliona Healy for Murphy (39); Sorcha McCartan for Mackey (46); Kate Wall for Treacy (46); Rachel Harty for H Looney (56); Ciara O’Sullivan for Finn (56). 

Referee: Justin Heffernan (Wexford)

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