Cork girls send out a very clear message
CAMOGIE
CORK sent out a clear signal of intent at O’Toole Park on Saturday afternoon, as they kick-started their Group 1 campaign in the Liberty Insurance Senior Camogie Championship with a comprehensive 4-24 to 0-5 success over Dublin, writes DAIRE WALSH.
It was essential that the Rebels laid down a marker ahead of a tough assignment against Wexford, and although Cork manager Paudie Murray feels that improvements can be made to his side’s play, he was pleased with their overall application in the southside venue.
“I suppose we were happy enough. 4-24, I think it was a good score. Some positives out there. We have Wexford up next, so that’s going to be a different kettle of fish altogether,” Murray remarked afterwards.
“Certainly, we’d want to be a little bit more clinical in front of goal. Our work-rate would probably want to increase a bit, but I can only say positive things about today”.
“I suppose we were kind of fortunate with two goals. A team playing a seven-man defence, it took us a small (bit of) time to get used to it. Once we re-arranged things after 10 minutes, I think that we started to hurl from there.”
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of the game for Murray and his management team was the accuracy of their forwards, and in particular the triumvirate of Katrina Mackey, Orla Cotter and Jennifer O’Leary, who contributed 4-19 between them.
If Cork are to advance to the knock-out stages, they will need big displays from this aforementioned trio, but Murray feels that, on their day, all six forwards are potential match-winners.
“Our forwards are good. They’re very, very sharp. I think there was very good movement today to be fair to them. I think any one of our six forwards really, once they’re in the scoring zone, they’re capable of scoring,” said the Cork boss.
With a win under their belt, Cork are now free to concentrate on a second consecutive away trip to Wexford on July 5. The Slaneysiders are aiming to reclaim their crown following a disappointing 2013, and although last year’s finalists Galway and Kilkenny are also expected to be in the shake-up, Murray believes that Wexford pose the biggest threat.
“We have Wexford to come. I know they won the Leinster title two weeks ago. I was very, very impressed with them. There is very little talk about them, but I would certainly think they’re the team to beat really.”
“They look very well organised. The day we played them in the league that was one of the things I could see on the line. I think they’re certainly the team to beat. I know there’s a lot of talk about Kilkenny, but to me Wexford will certainly have a big say in the Championship this year,” added Murray.