Rebels finish strong to deny gallant Cats in league opener

A spree of late points from Emma Murphy saw Cork overcome Kilkenny in a high scoring Division 1 league clash in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats were down a number of regulars including the likes of Grace Walsh, Aoife Prendergast, Miriam Walsh and Jenny Clifford so aside from the final result, new manager Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere will have been relatively pleased at how his side performed.

In what was a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final between the counties Kilkenny had the better of the opening exchanges, but the influx of a lot of experience off the bench helped Cork turn the tide to win by the minimum.

Claire Mullins and Aoife Doyle shared opening half goals while ace free-takers Katrina Mackey and Sophie O’Dwyer top scored for their sides in a clash that went right to the wire.

As well as being down a few injured players, Kilkenny also had to adapt to life without the likes of Denise Gaule and Claire Phelan. While it’s early days, it was a promising opening outing on that front with Miriam Bambrick and Kellyanne Doyle having solid outings at the heart of the defence and Aoife Doyle, Katie Nolan and Katie Power chipping on with multiple scores.

It’s still a game that Kilkenny may feel that they left behind them as they led by four points at one stage of the first half and were still there fighting right until the end.

Aoife Doyle had the Cats up and running within seconds of the start before the visitors replied with a Katrina Mackey score that could have even led to a goal.

Kilkenny really got on top over the course of the next 15 minutes with new free-taker Sophie O’Dwyer proving to be super accurate. The James Stephens star knocked over three placed balls in quick succession to add to Katie Nolan, Asha McHardy and Katie Power scoring from play.

Cork hit back via Saoirse McCarthy and Katrina Mackey while Fiona Keating also had a goal attempt well saved by Aoife Norris.

As All-Ireland champions, it was only natural that the Rebels would take their time to acclimatise to a new campaign of camogie, but they soon began to motor when a Katrina Mackey free was quickly followed up by an equalising goal which saw Claire Mullins finish to the net on the back of a clever flick by Hannah Looney to Mackey who then found the goal-scorer in space.

Kilkenny retook the lead after a great strike by the experienced Katie Power before Looney and Mackey replied to give the Rebels a 1-6 to 0-8 advantage approaching the half-time interval.

Cork added on further points from Saoirse McCarthy and Fiona Keating but it was the Cats who found a way to go into the break on a high after Aoife Doyle goaled on the back of a huge turnover from Katie Power.

O’Dwyer then converted her fourth free of the half from distance and Kilkenny led on a 1-9 to 1-8 scoreline.

Despite leading by one at the halfway mark, Kilkenny were very much on the backfoot for the opening stages of the second period with Cork scoring three points on the trot.

Kilkenny got back on track with points from Sophie O’Dwyer and Katie Nolan but it was certainly Cork who were providing the terms of engagement and by the 46th minute they led by three and seemed in total control.

The Kilkenny fightback wasn’t too far away though and three points in a five minute spell levelled things up going down the stretch.

O’Dwyer converted two placed balls either side of a brilliant score from Katie Nolan and it looked to be anyone’s game at this stage.

Amy O’Connor had a big impact upon her substitute introduction in the second half with the forceful Cork attacker edging her side back in front.

Sophie O’Dwyer quickly replied for the Cats but instead of the momentum going in the Noresiders’ favour, the game turned with two big points from another Cork sub Emma Murphy.

Both Murphy scores arrived on the back of her running from deep. While Katie Nolan did get Kilkenny within a point once again, the clock wasn’t their friend as they ran out of time to force an equaliser.

Katie Power did have one last chance but it dropped short and the Cats came away from UPMC Nowlan Park empty-handed on this occasion.

A disappointing result in the end but the team has no time to feel sorry for themselves as they are back out in action once again in Nowlan Park on Saturday in a potential crucial game with Clare.

Both sides will be searching for their first points after Clare also lost out to Galway last weekend.

Teams and Scorers

Cork - Katrina Mackey (0-8, 0-4 frees); Claire Mullins (1-0); Emma Murphy, Fiona Keating, Saoirse McCarthy (0-2 each); Hannah Looney, Orla Mullins, Amy O’Connor (0-1 each).

Kilkenny - Sophie O’Dwyer (0-8, 0-7 frees, 0-1 45); Aoife Doyle (1-1); Katie Nolan (0-3); Katie Power (0-2); Asha McHardy, Sarah Barcoe (0-1 each).

Cork - Amy Lee; Meadbh Murphy, Libby Coppinger, Meabh Cahalane; Aoife Healy, Ashling Thompson, Izzy O’Regan; Hannah Looney, Niamh O’Callaghan; Laura Hayes, Fiona Keating, Saoirse McCarthy; Claire Mullins, Katrina Mackey, Orla Cahalane.

Subs: Amy O’Connor for Mullins, 35 mins; Orla Mullins for Thompson, 39 mins; Hayley Ryan for H Looney, 45 mins; Emma Murphy for L Hayes, 53 mins; Saoirse McCartan for O Cahalane, 55 mins.

Kilkenny - Aoife Norris; Michelle Teehan, Kellyanne Doyle, Roisin Phelan; Tiffanie Fitzgerald, Miriam Bambrick, Niamh Deely; Laura Murphy, Laura Norris; Steffi Fitzgerald, Katie Power, Asha McHardy; Aoife Doyle, Katie Nolan, Sophie O’Dwyer.

Subs: Katie Byrne for Phelan, h/t; Julianne Malone for L Norris, 39 mins; Sarah Barcoe for T Fitzgerald, 47 mins; Caoimhe Keher Murtagh for McHardy, 54 mins.

Referee - Gavin Donegan (Dublin)