Championship dream ends in Pairc Uí Caoimh

Cork 1-10
Clare 0-10

Clare’s journey in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship came to an end on Saturday afternoon in Páirc Uí Chaoimh when they lost out to Cork in Pairc Uí Caoimh.

This was the third meeting of the sides so far this year and with each having a win to their credit, it was clear little would separate them on this occasion.
It was the meeting of the National League champions (Cork) and the Munster senior champions (Clare).
Cork, playing with the aid of a strong wind in the opening half, quickly got into their stride and were first to get on the scoreboard with a point from Joanne Casey. A Chloe Morey long-range free levelled matters for the Banner side after five minutes. In a tight opening period, both sides battled hard and with Jennifer O’Leary and Fiona Lafferty accounting for the next two scores, the sides were again level with 10 minutes on the clock.
Cork had a goal opportunity in the 17th minute, having been awarded a penalty, as the Clare defence were penalised for being overzealous in defending against Cork forward Sile Burns as she tried to break through. Cork goalkeeper Aoife Murray was called from the other end of the field to take the free but her effort went over the bar.
Cork added another three points, O’Leary with two frees and Katie Buckley from play, in the remainder of the half. Clare’s missed goal opportunities in the latter stages of the opening half that saw Cork go in at the break with a four-point cushion as they led 0-6 to 0-2.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, Clare were on the attack straight from the throw-in. Morey was again on target with a long-range free, which Katriona Mackey cancelled out a minute later. Clare won their own puck-out and Kate Lynch sent her shot down the wing to Ailish Considine.
With the Cork defence keeping a tight rein on Considine, she did well to get the pass to Niki Kaiser, who is turn fed the unmarked Naomi Carroll and she pointed from 30 yards out. O’Leary was on target for the Leesiders with a free in the fifth minute to keep Cork in front by four points.
The only goal of the game came eight minutes into the second half. Denise Lynch, having pulled off a great save, was dispossessed as she prepared to make a clearance and it was Katriona Mackey who sent the ball to the Clare net. Mackey added another point to extend the Cork lead to eight points a minute later. Clare responded and fought back well, winning ball and going deep into Cork territory. Three points from frees, Claire McMahon with two and Morey with one of her trademark long-range shots, closed the gap to five.  A long break in play ensued for treatment to Cork’s Pamela Mackey before the Douglas player was stretchered off the field before O’Leary pointed a free for Cork’s last score of the game.
Clare continued to attack and with two more frees from Morey, had the gap narrowed to four points.
Clare continued to attack to the final whistle but they could only manage one more score and this came from substitute Susan Fahy, leaving Cork winners by three and through to the All-Ireland semi-final.

Cork: Aoife Murray (0-1); Jenny Duffy, Rena Buckley, Joanne O’Callaghan; Eimear O’Sullivan, Gemma O’Connor, Pamela Mackey; Jennifer O’Leary (0-4), Orla Cotter (0-1); Joanne Casey (0-1), Anna Geary, Briege Corkery; Katriona Mackey (1-2), Katie Buckley (0-1), Sile Burns.
Subs: Linda Dorgan for Pamela Mackey (inj 54 mins).
Clare: Denise Lynch, Maire McGarth, Marian O’Brien, Carol O’Leary; Orlaith Duggan, Niamh O’Dea, Chloe Morey (0-6); Katie Cahill, Kate Lynch; Niki Kaiser, Deirdre Murphy, Ailish Considine; Claire McMahon (0-1), Fiona Lafferty (0-1), Naomi Carroll (0-1).
Subs: Shonagh Enright for Katie Cahill (42 mins), Louise Woods for Kate Lynch (50 mins) and Susan Fahy (0-1) for Claire McMahon (57 mins).
Referee: Karl O’Brien, Dublin

In the other quarter final game, played in Parnell Park, Offaly staged a second-half comeback to secure a one-point win over Dublin, 1-13 to 2-9, Dublin having lead 1-8 to 0-4 at half time.
Cork will play Galway in the semi-final, with Offaly taking on All-Ireland champions Wexford in the other semi-final on August 18  in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny.