All-Ireland Minor Camogie Final – Saturday, 28th April
Cork 0-18 Galway 1-11
Darren Kelly in Nenagh
Despite four unanswered second half points, Galway never got a run going as Cork were crowned first time winners with Laura Hayes, Saoirse McCarthy and Rachel O’Regan standing out. Ciara O’Sullivan opened Cork’s account in a tight first half but Niamh Niland levelled by the fourth minute.
Cork stretched clear first through Cliona Healy, Emma Murphy and Hannah O’Leary. But when McGrath took Hayes’ deflection on 13 minutes, she spotted Chloe Reilly who past Sarah Ahern. Niamh Horan attacked afterwards before sending a sweet effort between the posts. Galway led by 1-2 to 0-4.
FT in All-Ireland Minor A Championship Final cork (0-18) Galway (1-11)@GalwayCamogie96 @corkcamogie pic.twitter.com/M6CoFwqSnc
— Camogie Association (@OfficialCamogie) April 28, 2018
But Cork were up for this battle and were equally effective. A free from McCarthy levelled again and they were equal three more times before half-time. Horan (2) and Niland registered for Galway, Cliona Healy and McCarthy (2) for Cork left it 1-5 to 0-8.
The third quarter defined the contest. Not for one particular turning point but a series of moments. With the elements, Jerry Wallace’s group went two ahead inside four minutes. McCarthy pointed a free before captain Moira Barrett led by example making it 0-10 to 1-5 on 34 minutes.
Galway needed to respond and they weren’t found wanting. Reilly got her third score before Horan brought them all square again. Galway went in front through Katie Mannion before Tegan Canning troubled the umpires and they were 1-9 to 0-10 up.
But O’Regan’s arrival on 40 minutes had a major say and Galway didn’t score from play again. Barrett and Fiona Keating brought them level on 42 minutes before O’Regan’s opener made it 0-13 to 1-9. Herself and Keating quickly added and Cork were three points clear.
McGrath tapped over a placed ball but Galway were still leaving holes the other end. And Cork found points at crucial times with Barrett restoring their three-point lead. McGrath got another free on 57 minutes keeping Galway in range but McCarthy finished with two.
Galway: Sarah Healy; Kate Moran, Leah Burke, Erica Leslie; Pearl Finnerty, Alannah Kelly, Kate Screene; Niamh Horan (0-3, one free), Tegan Canning (0-1); Katie Mannion, Siobhan McGrath (0-2, both frees), Mairead Dillon; Niamh Niland (0-3, two frees), Ciara Helebert, Chloe Reilly (1-2). Subs used: Rachel Hanniffy for Mannion (44 mins), Sinead Cannon for Moran (45 mins), Niamh Keogh for Canning (50 mins).
Cork: Sarah Ahern; Orla Keating, Miriam Cotter, Emily Buckley; Laura Doyle, Laura Hayes, Ellen O’Regan; Saoirse McCarthy (0-6, five frees), Hannah O’Leary (0-1); Fiona Keating (0-2), Moira Barrett (0-3), Ciara O’Sullivan (0-1); Cliona Healy (0-2, both frees), Emma Murphy (0-1), Aoife Hurley. Subs used: Suzanne Bateman for O’Leary (40 mins), Rachel O’Regan (0-2) for O’Sullivan (40 mins), Orla Cremen for Healy (45 mins), Ciara Murphy for Doyle (56 mins).
Referee: Eamon Cassidy (Derry)
