Intermediate side dig deep for victory
CAMOGIE
CORK………………………………….1-13
DOWN…………………………………..0-9
Daire Walsh
PLAYER of the match Saoirse McCarthy and Caitriona Collins registered a combined tally of 1-10 at Croke Park yesterday to propel Cork towards their first All-Ireland Intermediate Championship title since 2006.
Following heartbreaking final defeats to Kilkenny and Meath (replay) in the past two seasons, the Leesiders overcame a shaky opening at Jones’ Road to get the better of Down in a competitive affair.
Trailing by three points in the 16th minute, Cork dug deep to ultimately bring a 0-7 to 0-5 cushion into the interval. Even though Down remained in contention on the resumption, a third-quarter goal from Collins meant that Cork, who like their senior counterparts are managed by Paudie Murray, brought their 12-year wait for a second-tier crown to a convincing end.
After Down had broken the deadlock early on through Sara-Louise Carr – daughter of two-time All-Ireland winner Ross – and Saoirse Sands, Cork responded with a brace of McCarthy points.
The dependable Niamh Mallon (two) and Paula Gribben fired over at the opposite end to leave Cork staring into a 0-2 to 0-5 deficit, and consequently place their mental resolve under intense scrutiny.
It was during this juncture in the play that Collins really came into her own, though. In addition a routine free on the stroke of 20 minutes, the Ballinhassig attacker was also on target when Down netminder Maria McNally batted away a Laura Hayes delivery.
With their northern rivals losing a grip around the middle third, Cork were ready to turn the game on its head. Collins restored parity with her fourth of the tie and, thanks to additional contributions by Caroline Sugrue and McCarthy, they were in a position of strength for the beginning of the second period.
Eager to make their first final appearance at this grade a memorable one, Down quickly cancelled out Cork’s lead with back-to-back points from Mallon (free) and Sands. Yet, just when the sides appeared to be delicately poised, the Rebelettes recorded 1-3 without reply to effectively put the outcome beyond doubt.
The dynamic inside duo of Collins (two) and Sugrue built momentum with white-flag efforts, before Finola Neville’s powerful surge through the heart of the Down defence set up Collins for a cool finish into the bottom right-hand corner.
An Aimee McAleenan point closed the gap slightly, but when Carr was dismissed for a second yellow-card offence on 49 minutes, the prospect of a late fightback by the Mourne had effectively evaporated.
Cork conceded a paltry 0-38 in their six games en route to this decider, and skipper Sarah Harrington once again marshalled a formidable Cork rearguard. She kept tabs on Fionnuala Carr for much of the action and it was the Down captain who cancelled out McCarthy’s fourth of the day inside the final quarter.
Collins had brought her personal haul up to 1-6, but passed on free-taking duties to substitute Cliona Healy in the 56th minute. The Aghabullogue star effortlessly stroked between the uprights to bring the curtain down on a thoroughly-deserved Cork triumph.
Scorers for Cork: Caitriona Collins 1-6 (0-4f), Saoirse McCarthy 0-4, Caroline Sugrue 0-2, Cliona Healy 0-1 (f).
Scorers for Down: Niamh Mallon 0-3 (1f), Saoirse Sands 0-2, Fionnuala Carr (f), Paula Gribben, Sara-Louise Carr, Aimee McAleenan 0-1 each.
CORK: Amy Lee; Niamh Ní Chaoimh, Sarah Harrington, Jennifer Barry; Lauren Callanan, Leah Weste, Siobhan Hutchinson; Sarah Buckley, Katelyn Hickey; Laura Hayes, Finola Neville, Saoirse McCarthy; Caroline Sugrue, Maeve McCarthy, Caitríona Collins.
Subs: Cliona Healy for M McCarthy (39), Rachel O’Callaghan for Sugrue (60), Roisin Killeen for Callanan (62).
DOWN: Maria McNally; Nicole Kelly, Alannah Savage, Clare McGilligan; Bláinaid Savage, Dearbhla Magee, Catherine Rocks; Deirbhile Savage, Paula Gribben; Sara-Louise Carr, Niamh Mallon, Aimee McAleenan; Orlagh Caldwell, Fionnuala Carr, Saoirse Sands.
Subs: Orla Gribben for Magee (14-28, blood), O Gribben for Caldwell (30), Clara Cowan for McGilligan (52).
Referee: John Dermody (Westmeath).