Offaly camogie side's brave effort for All-Ireland glory ended by Cork

OFFALY'S hopes of making the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie final were dashed by Cork after a hugely competitive All-Ireland semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles on Saturday.

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Semi-Final

CORK 2-13 OFFALY 0-13

The final scoreline is probably a bit harsh on Offaly who battled gamely all the way but just couldn't come up with the scores at vital times to overcome the Rebels. Only a point separated them with three minutes to go but a late Cork flourish of 1-2 without reply put a gloss on the scoreline for them.

Offaly certainly gave it their all and this was a winnable game for them but they had no luck around the goalmouth as they were unable to take a number of potential goalscoring chances, though a lot of that it must be said was down to some excellent Cork defending.

Cork were that bit more clinical than Offaly. They seemed to be able to take their scores a bit easier while Offaly had to work hard for theirs and principally had to rely on the excellent free taking of Clodagh Leahy to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Offaly weren't helped by an injury picked up by the influential joint captain Ellen Regan early in the game. She moved into the attack after that but subsequently had to go off in the second half. On the day, despite a huge effort, some of the players Offaly would have been relying on, weren't able, or probably more correctly were allowed to influence the game as much as they would have liked and Cork can take credit for nullifying the threat from Offaly's danger players.

Although Offaly got the first score Cork settled quickly with four points in a row and it looked like it could be a difficult day for Offaly. But they toughed it out and gradually worked their way back into the game and took the lead five minutes before half time, only for Cork to goal at the other end and that helped them to a 1-7 to 0-8 half time lead.

Offaly got the gap to the minimum early in the second half but crucially missed two opportunities to level after that. Cork went five points up again midway through the half but Offaly just wouldn't give up and four points in a row had the gap down to a point again with three minutes left but Cork finished the stronger to take the victory.

Offaly started a little nervously and made some uncharacteristic errors with some poor ball handling and poor passes giving possession away. They also shot some wides in that period that they would normally have expected to convert.

However they settled into the game and as it went into the second quarter they got more of a grip on things and four points in a row put them back into the lead. However Cork struck for 1-2 before the break to open a four point lead but Offaly managed to fight back to halve that by the break.

Cork ran a lot at the Offaly defence and that posed them a lot of difficulties, particularly early on, as Cork were able to create space and Lauren Homan punished the Faithful girls. Offaly got to grips with the threat a little more as the game went on.

Offaly dominated a lot of the possession and territory in the second but just couldn't find a way through a dogged Cork defence which worked very hard to keep Offaly out. A number of dangerous balls landed in around the Cork goalmouth in the final quarter and one lucky bounce could have led to an Offaly goal but Cork defended them all and came away with the ball each time much to the frustration of Offaly.

Corner backs Sharon Shanahan and Orla Gorman were both excellent for Offaly and Orlagh Phelan did a lot of good work on the half back line. Clodagh Leahy was in the thick of the action around midfield and Faye Mulrooney did well when moved out to that sector. The attack worked hard without much reward with Grace Teehan, Fianait Dooley and Becky Bryant all trying hard.

Aoife Barrett, Niamh O'Leary, Olivia McAllen and Laura Doyle all did well in the Cork defence, while further afield Lauren Homan was the real star, ably assisted by Cliona Dooley and sub Emer Duignan did well when introduced.

It took the game a little while to settle into a rhythm and five minutes had elapsed before the first score came when Clodagh Leahy pointed a free. Lauren Homan levelled for Cork before Cliona Dooley put them in front after eight minutes. Lauren Homan then added two in quick succession to give Cork a three point lead after 10 minutes.

Offaly hit a couple of wides before Grace Teehan made a good catch from a puck out and returned the ball over the bar after 13 minutes but Lauren Homan found the range again to give Cork a three point advantage midway through the half.

Offaly were coming more into the game and three points from frees by Clodagh Leahy brought them level after 23 minutes before Grace Teehan put Offaly in front with a point five minutes before half time.

Lauren Homan levelled from a free and shortly after won the ball on the left and raced goalwards. Her first effort was knocked up in the air by Leah Gallagher but Homan's momentum took her on and she finished the loose ball to the net. Niamh O'Regan had another goal chance but the ball was taken off the line before Homan pointed a free and Cork were four up. Offaly kept plugging away and Clodagh Leahy pointed two frees late in the half to leave just two points in it at the break, 1-7 to 0-8.

Clodagh Leahy cut the gap to the minimum three minutes after the restart and Offaly had a sniff of a goal chance when good work by Ellen Regan set up Becky Bryant but her effort flashed across the goals and wide. Clodagh Leahy then missed her only free of the day and Aine O'Connor ran on to a pass from Fianait Dooley but her first time effort was blocked as Offaly dominated play but couldn't add to the scoreboard.

The Cork attack had seen little of the ball but Lauren Homan pointed a free and Olivia McAllen came up from defence and added another. Sub Eimear Duignan then added two more points shortly after coming on and Cork were 1-11 to 0-9 ahead at the midway point of the half.

Offaly kept plugging away and Clodagh Leahy pointed two frees to leave just a goal in it. Aine O'Connor added another point and then sub Grainne Kennedy lofted over a great point from the left wing and there was just a point in it.

Unfortunately Offaly couldn't get an equaliser. Cliona Dooley pointed for Cork and with Offaly pushing forward wing back Laura Doyle found herself in space to add another. Offaly needed a goal to send the game to extra time but instead the goal came at the other end with Cork stringing a good move together and Cliona Dooley finishing it off with a goal.

It was tough luck on Offaly but they can hold their heads up high after a brave performance.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

CORK: Ciara Hurley; Aoife Barrett, Meadhbh de Burca, Emma Flanagan; Meadhbh Ring, Olivia McAllen, Laura Doyle; Tara McCarthy, Laura Buttimer; Edel Sheehan, Lauren Homan, Avril Cashman; Niamh O'Regan, Cliona O'Callaghan, Cliona Dooley. Subs. Emer Duignan (for Tara McCarthy, 41 mins), Lucy Allen (for Edel Sheehan, 48 mins), Kate Walsh (for Laura Buttimer, 52 mins), Erin Curtin (for Niamh O'Regan, 57 mins).

OFFALY: Leah Gallagher (Tullamore); Sharon Shanahan (Shinrone), Cathy Fogarty (St Cillian's), Orla Gorman (Tullamore); Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Brid), Amy Byrne (Lusmagh), Alana Roddy (Birr); Ellen Regan (Birr), Clodagh Leahy (Lusmagh/Drumcullen); Grace Teehan (Naomh Brid), Ciara Ryan (Birr), Mairead Jennings (Birr); Fianait Dooley (Drumcullen), Faye Mulrooney (Birr), Becky Bryant (Tullamore). Subs. Aine O'Connor (Naomh Brid) (for Mairead Jennings, half time), Hannah Feenane (Birr) (for Alana Roddy, half time), Grainne Kennedy (Drumcullen) (for Ciara Ryan, 42 mins), Deirdre Cashen (Birr) (for Ellen Regan, 48 mins), Lizzie Harding (St Cillian's) (for Becky Bryant (56 mins).

REFEREEE: Karol Collins (Galway)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Cork captain Lauren Homan was the real difference between the sides. She was a real livewire and her pace caused Offaly problems. She also knew where the posts were and her early points settled Cork. In all she finished with 1-7, 1-4 from play, and Offaly had no one on the day to match that kind of return.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Offaly were right in the contest up to the final few minutes with only a point between them but Cork then struck for 1-2 without reply in the remaining minutes to seal their place in the final.

REFEREE WATCH

Karol Collins let things go as much as he could. Both sides would argue that he let things go that should have been frees for them but overall he handled the contest well. He played the advantage rule well and wasn't a factor in the outcome.

WHAT’S NEXT

Cork progress to the All-Ireland Final against Kilkenny, which will be the middle game of a triple header at Croke Park on Sunday August 11th. For Offaly it's the end of the season and they must regroup and go again next season.

VENUE WATCH

Semple Stadium hosted the double header of semi-finals and everything was in excellent order for the game. There were plenty of stewards on duty, parking was available close to the ground and the field was in great shape for the game.

STATISTICS

Wides; Cork 5 (1 in first half) Offaly 8 (6 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Cork 2 (Emma Flanagan, Edel Sheehan) Offaly 0

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Cork; Lauren Homan (1-7, 0-3 frees), Cliona Dooley (1-2), Eimear Duignan (0-2), Olivia McAllen and Laura Doyle (0-1 each).

Offaly; Clodagh Leahy (0-9, all frees), Grace Teehan (0-2), Aine O'Connor, Grainne Kennedy (0-1 each).