Cork land the U16 camogie All-Ireland
26 August, 2019
Cork land the U16 camogie All-Ireland for the first time since 2003.
Mark Newman Evening Echo 26/08/2019
Cork 1-14 Galway 2-10.
THE wait is over.
After many years of heartbreak Cork finally breached a 16-year gap since the title was won in 2003 to be crowned All Ireland U16 A champions and in the process stopped Galway’s bid for five in a row.
With Aimee Morgan scintillating form up front the Galway defence had their hands full. However, both defences were solid and the inside lines had to battle for everything.
The opening quarter was nip and tuck as the sides matched each other score for score, level at the end of the opening quarter at 0-3 each. Katie Gilchrist with two pointed Galway frees and one from play stayed in touch with a Cork side who had Cliona Lynch on target with two 45s and an effort from Lucy McNulty.
Cork went three points clear with a Morgan goal 18 minutes in and the same player put four between the sides with a point to rock Galway on their heels.
Galway won two frees and opting to go for goals they found strong resilient from the Cork defence. After 28 minutes, Ciara Hurley denied Sabina Rabbitte with an excellent save.
Gilchrest pointed a 45 to which Orlaith Cahalane replied with a free to ensure Cork held their four-point interval lead 1-5 to 0-4.
Cork took the game to Galway from the restart led by the excellent Morgan they stretched their lead 1-9 to 0-6.
Gilchrest battled to keep Galway in the game with two pointed frees and as the battle entered the final quarter Cork held their lead.
Pushing to get over the line Cork kept the pressure on, Cliona Lynch and substitute Tara Crowley pointed to stretch the lead to eight points. Caoimhe Starr cut the deficit with a point and three in a row from Cork helped keep their lead but the latter stages belonged to Galway as they battle back with a storming finish.
With four minutes injury time indicated Katie Gilchrist pointed twice and as the clock ticked into four minutes Alanna Reynolds pointed. Still the game continued and goals from Chloe Farragher and Katie put just a point between the sides but it was enough as the final whistle sounded to end the wait for Cork.
Scorers for Cork: A Morgan 1-5, C Lynch 0-3 (0-2 45, 0-1 f), T Crowley 0-3, O Cahalane 0-2, L McNulty 0-1.
Galway: K Gilchrist 1-9 (1-6 f, 0-1 45), C Farragher 1-0, A Reynolds 0-1.
GALWAY: A Hawkins; E Niland, A Donnellan, J Donlon; K A Porter, C Starr, J Glynn; R Hanbury, C Hickey; N McInerney, L Kelly, C Farragher; E Madden, S Rabbitte, K Gilchrist.
Subs: L Gatley for E Madden (inj 15), A Reynolds for L Gatley (h-t).
CORK: C Hurley; S Desmond, M Healy, G Ryan ; C Golden, M Ring, M Murphy; C Lynch, O McAllen (c); R Murphy, L McNulty, A Morgan; E Wiggington-Barrett, M Kelleher, O Cahalane.
Subs: T Crowley for L McNulty (47), S Hayes for G Ryan (47), E O’Brien for M Kelleher (51).
Ref: John Darmody (Westmeath).