Cork bid to reach camogie final
It is the calm before the storm this weekend with just two games in prospect. One of those is the camogie semi-final as well as the Junior B Hurling final, but from here on, in it’s all systems go with the opening rounds of the County Football Championship next week.
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Camogie semi-final
Cork v Galway on Saturday at Nowlan Park at 5.30pm
“Relief” was the one word answer by manager Matthew Twomey to a question in the aftermath of the win over reigning champions Kilkenny in Croke Park two weeks ago.
Now with the semi-final just a few days away, he is relaxed and calm as we chatted in the glorious evening sunshine in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with the team going through their paces.
“Really looking forward to it. The last few games have been must win and we came through and hopefully that will stand to us against a very good Galway team.”
Matthew is happy with the preparations and no fixture clashes” “It’s been very good, the dual players dropped in Sunday after their long trip to Armagh and we have no injuries, so it’s all go.”
The manner in which they beat Kilkenny was pleasing in the light of recent losses in tight games. “In the past we have lost those games and from the players perspective, that was important.”
The day itself was full of drama, but in a strange way Matthew feels it might have actually helped, even if they did start slowly. “Once we settled down, we played very well and could and should have won by more.”
Getting game time into big players Ashling (Thompson) Laura (Hayes) and Orla (Cronin) was also crucial. “Absolutely and they all made vital contributions so the depth of the panel is coming good at the business end of the season and it gives us a nice problem now picking the starting 15.”
It will be the 4th meeting of the sides this year and amazingly Galway have won the previous three, a cause of concern for Matthew. “Well it will give Galway confidence if nothing else, but equally there was very little in all 3 games, they could have gone either way, but look they’re done with now and all we can control is how we play on Saturday.”
For dual player Libby Coppinger, one of the 4 on both panels, it’s a hectic time, but she is enjoying it. “It’s where every player wants to be getting ready for two All-Ireland semi-finals and hopefully two finals in the coming weeks.”
Libby agrees with Matthew, the win over Kilkenny could be a turning point for this team. “Actually we had lost all our big games to Galway and Kilkenny recently and now that is behind us, we are confident but cautious going into Saturday.”
Getting a good start could shape the game: “We will need to start quicker - something we haven’t been doing and we cannot allow Galway build any momentum as they are a very good team, as we know to our cost.”
It is unusual to be playing a team for the 4th time. “We were in the same groups in both league and championship and the fact that we both got to the league final, and now again in the semi-final shows a good level of consistency.”
Discipline will also be key as it was in the closing stages of the QF win over Kilkenny. “Without a doubt as in Carrie Dolan they have an excellent free taker and you will be punished, but it is something we have worked on and hopefully we won’t give her two many opportunities on Saturday.” Dolan got 0-7 from frees in the league final.
Libby is also confident that a win is within their grasp. “I do yes; we are playing well, our confidence is high and if we perform to the level I know we are capable of, it’s a game we can win.”
Looking back at the 3 previous meetings Cork came so close to winning all of them. For the first one they had already secured their place in the league final when they met in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and with a much changed team, they gave away a soft goal. Had they won that day or even drawn, Galway were out.
As for the final, they were wasteful and sloppy and Dolan made them pay.
The most recent meeting was the championship opener in Athenry and it came just after Cork had surprisingly lost to Waterford in the Munster Championship. Cork actually led at half-time 0-10 to 0-7, but only managed 2 points in a poor 2nd half.
Again Dolan with 0-8 was effective, while Cork hit an unusually high number of wides, proving costly on the day.
It is to their credit that they put these setbacks behind them and are unbeaten since that game, that and the fact that very little separates the sides will stand them in good stead on Saturday.
The teams that met in the league final and their last meeting will see a number of slight but what could be significant changes.
Galway’s Siobhan McGrath returned from injury and scored the crucial goal that afternoon, Niamh Hannify will now probably start in midfield alongside Aoife O’Donoghue.
Dolan will get good assistance from Aine Keane, Sabina Rabbitte and Ailish O’Reilly in attack.
The defence has more or less been unchanged with Fiona Ryan been fronted by among others Shauna Healy, Emma Helbert and Siobhan Gardiner.
For Cork boss Matthew Twomey, the dilemma is simple, does he start with the majority of the 15 that has got them to the last four or does he plump for the players returning from injury.
If he goes with the latter, is the impact off the bench - so effective against Kilkenny - lost?
What we do know is that the defensive formation might not alter much, although Laura Hayes would add another dimension to that unit
Amy Lee was excellent in the QF, her handling and puck outs spot on.
Meabh Murphy, Libby Coppinger and Meabh Cahalane will be the full-back line, while Laura Tracey and Pamela Mackey are effective in the half-back line.
Saoirse McCarthy was the driving force from midfield in Croke Park her runs caused endless problems and she set up Cork’s vital second goal, her partner in that area could be interesting.
Cork’s attack really prosper with good quick ball as was evident last time out especially Amy O’Connor and Katrina Mackey thrived and that was reflected in their scoring return.
Fiona Keating, Chloe Sigerson and Hannah Looney all made important contributions but a bit more is needed, similarly with Sorcha McCartan who did clip over 2 nice points.
Aoife Healy also made a telling contribution on her introduction and her 2 quality points were vital.
You sense though that Thompson, Cronin and Hayes might just be held in reserve and introduced to make the impact if required.
It’s a huge game for this group of players and management but there is a belief now that they are coming good at just the right time, equally it is very hard for Galway to beat the same team 4 times in the one season.
Galway just like Kilkenny in the last game will start as favourites, but I like the way this Cork team is shaping up; get a good start, keep the free count down and at the same time get quality ball to O’Connor and Mackey and they are well capable of winning.
Cork to win and in the process set up an all-Munster Final as Waterford and Tipperary contest the first semi-final at 3.30pm.
This could come down to a battle between Beth Carton and Cait Devane, two quality players - I’ve a slight fancy for Tipperary.
General
Well done to the Cork Ladies Football team who made the long journey to Armagh and won a tight game in difficult conditions. It sets up an intriguing semi-final with Dublin on Saturday week in Thurles at 7.30pm, where manager Shane Roynane admits an improvement will be needed.
St Oliver Plunketts having won the football title last week go in search of a county double when they play Ballyclough in the hurling decider in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday at 3.30pm. I wonder will Colm O’Neill make an appearance for the North Cork club?
The opening game of the Bon Secours Intermediate A Football Championship takes place on Wednesday night next when Boherbue and Mitchlestown meet in Mourneabbey at 7.30pm, it’s the first game of a mammoth fixture schedule next weekend.