Camogie takes centre stage as Amy is honoured for May

A somewhat quiet weekend coming up ahead of the hurling semi-final, with camogie taking centre stage.

Glen Dimplex Senior Championship

Cork v Wexford at Chadwick’s Wexford Park on Saturday at 2pm

Time was when a game between these two counties would earn top billing but not now, Cork are unbeaten and already assured of a place in the semi-final. By contrast Wexford are pointless and looking at a relegation play-off to preserve their senior status.

Cork have gone about their business with usual efficiency all season; the league title is all wrapped up and probably would have won the Munster Championship as well only for the skorts/shorts controversy that saw the final deferred.

The target all season has been the 3 in a row and by going direct to the semi-final that objective becomes that bit easier.

Bu avoiding the quarter-finals it allows any niggling injures to clear up and at the same time get in a good productive block of training uninterrupted.

Cork were not at their best last week in the win over an improving Clare side but after conceding an early goal, inside a minute, they steadied and comfortably got the job done.

Afterwards manager Ger Manly was happy enough. “Sloppy to let in that goal; we just lost our concentration but happy enough into the semi-final with a game to spare.”

“Have a couple of girls carrying slight knocks and niggles so the break to the semi-final will help and also trying to balance with players on the U23 team but look all is going well.”

Ger also addressed the decision that saw the U23 team deducted 2 points from the 18 point win over Kilkenny, for using 1 substitute too many - 6 instead of 5.

“We had the game won and a player got a head injury and after speaking to the 4th official we got permission for a blood sub and we thought we were okay.”

“Afterwards we were told we had broken the rule and after an online hearing we were deducted the points, but look we still won our last game and got a home semi-final.”

As for Saturday: “We will go down there to win get more game time into our injured players and hopefully finish with a win, we will also balance the team with players that are eligible for the under 23 semi-final.”

Despite injuries and commitments with the under 23 squad, Cork will win this game at their ease with Emma Murphy, Saoirse Mc Carthy, Meabh Cahalane, Laura Treacy, Ashling Thompson and Laura Hayes all displaying the qualities that makes them the team to beat once again.

All-Ireland Under 23 Camogie Championship Semi-final

Cork v Tipperary on Saturday at Castle Road at 2pm

When these sides met in the Munster Final some months ago, it took extra-time to separate two evenly matched teams with Cork eventually winning, yet when they renewed rivalry in the group stages of the All-Ireland series, Cork ran out easy winners, and for that game Tipperary had home advantage.

Not sure what happened in between the games but Cork are unbeaten on the field. As stated above they lost 2 points due to a hearing and will be favourites to reach the final in this the inaugural year of the championship.

Ger Manley is actually the manager of this team with Danny Morrissey the coach and the manner in which they work together has ensure both teams senior and under 23 are in good positions.

In fact players that should feature on the senior panel are been released to play in this game; it benefits both with everyone getting valuable game time.

Tipperary do have some good players as was evidenced in the Munster Final but they possibly lack the depth that Cork have right now.

Lorna Ryan, Ciara Gleeson, Grace Moloney and Aoife Dwyer among them.

Cork have really impressed in this championship and with Amy Sheppard, Niamh McNabola, Millie Condon, Tara McCarthy, Claudia Keane, Orlaith Mullins, Isobel Sheehan, and Erin Curtin all playing exceptionally well, it’s hard to see Tipperary turning this one around.

Cork look set to advance to the final against either Galway or Kilkenny who meet in the other semi-final.

May award for Amy

“Delighted to be honoured here today, in fact my mother is even more thrilled, but seriously it is lovely and my thanks to those who selected me.”

Cork camogie goalkeeper Amy Lee is the May winner of the 96FM/C103 Sports Star winner in association with the Rochestown Park Hotel.

The award acknowledges her outstanding contribution to Cork winning the Division 1 National League title in style with a comprehensive victory over Galway in the final.

Amy also said, “Obviously the championship is our main aim but we hadn’t won the league in a few years and it was nice to do that and nothing beats winning, especially heading into the championship.”

As for the championship, with a game to go on Saturday they are already assured of a place in the semi-final. “That was the aim at the start of the campaign get to the semi-final, have a nice break and then get set for one final push.”

On the shorts/skorts issue, Amy was thrilled with the support they got, but added: “It was brilliant but let’s hope those that were backing us go to games and support the teams as that’s important going forward.”

The Na Pairsaigh player who has been brilliant for Cork in recent years and is currently the All-Star goalkeeper, thanked all who had helped her over the years and was really looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Cork County GAA Board PRO Ger O’Sullivan also congratulated Amy: “It’s a pleasure to be here to pay tribute to Amy and her colleagues on their excellent win and also the great successes that have enjoyed over the years and hopefully many more big wins to come.”

“I would also like to thank 96FM/CO13 for their coverage of our games and I include camogie and ladies football in that and the Rochestown Park Hotel who are great supporters of Cork GAA and of course these very prestigious awards.”

Kieran McGeary of 96FM and Tom Tobin of Rochestown Park Hotel also congratulated Amy and wished Cork continued success in the weeks ahead.

Family and friends were in attendance along with Padraig Treacy and Marion McCarthy from the Camogie Board and team manager Ger Manley.

Footballers come up short

The Cork footballers’ season ended in Croke Park last Saturday with a 3 point defeat to Dublin and they will look back at this as a missed opportunity.

After a slow start they led by 4 approaching half-time but a 2 pointer for the Dubs cut the lead in half. Before that Cork could have got a 2nd goal, when Chris Óg Jones who had a fine game, had a shot saved when a pass to Brian Hurley might have been a better option.

It was also the only time all year that Cork did not get a 2 pointer and an effort by Sean McDonnell fell just short with 4 minutes remaining.

What now? John Cleary’s term is up and judging by his comments in the aftermath of the loss, he might be keen to give it another shot: “Coaching now is much better under the new rules”.

As for the squad, will there be changes as some players have given great service, but will they be back for another shot?

It’s a case of so close but not enough to get over the line. The toughest night of all was the Munster semi-final loss to Kerry after extra-time when a dreadful call by linesman Derek O’Mahony saw Sean Brady wrongly sent-off. Had he not been I’m convinced Cork would have won that game.

My thanks to players and management for their co-operation all season in victory or defeat they were always willing to speak after games, and that is much appreciated.

Dublin throw hurling championship wide open

So the so-called trilogy of Cork v Limerick games that everyone was predicting will not happen thanks to Dublin’s outstanding display that brought the curtain down on one of the greatest teams that hurling has seen in recent years, will we see some of them in action again.

It means now that Dublin will provide Cork’s opposition in next week’s semi-final and what odds would you have got on that last week?

Forewarned is forearmed for Cork and I am sure the training session on Sunday morning will have been very interesting and focussed on getting the job done.

It’s a first semi-final between the counties since 2013, which Cork won narrowly, on an afternoon when Dublin were also reduced to 14 men. They have met at quarter-final stage in recent years and while Cork have won the games, they have been tough and testing - expect nothing different next week.

Ladies football

It seems you can’t get away from Cork v Dublin, last week it was in football and along with the hurlers’ meeting next week, the same two counties will contest the TG4 Ladies Football QF in Parnell Park next Saturday week at 1.15pm following Cork’s good win over Mayo in their final group game.

County leagues

With the exception of 1 game in Division 1: Castlehaven v Clonakilty - it’s on next Sunday, the promotion, relegation and finalists in all 7 divisions in football were decided last weekend and the finals will be played next week, a good and very efficient running of the competitions. This weekend the 7 hurling divisions will be completed with some interesting games down for decision, after that it will very soon be championship time in both codes.

Now if I could only think of something to write about in next week’s column!