Camogie: Cork take back-to-back titles

September 13, 2009

Emer O'Farrell of Cork is chased by Jacqui Frisby of Kilkenny during the All-Ireland camogie final
Cork 0-15 Kilkenny 0-7 Cork manager Denise Cronin leapt for joy as the Rebellettes claimed back-to-back Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship titles, following a hard-earned eight-point win before 25,924 at Croke Park this afternoon. Free-taker Rachel Moloney was in superb form with seven points, six from placed-balls while Cork goalkeeper Aoife Murray kept her side on top in the closing stages with some vital match-winning saves. Although Cork were convincing winners at the finish, there was nothing to separate the sides in the opening stages with the counties level on three occasions by the 18th minute. Moloney slotted over the first of her seven points, with a well-earned score after 58 minutes - but defences were firmly on top in the next six-minutes - with Kilkenny's defence performing strongly despite Cork's attacking prowess. Aoife Neary was also strongly pushing for scores, with the opening goal chance falling to the James Stephens corner-forward in the 13th minute, but Cork custodian Murray pulled off a superb save. Kilkenny continued to go in search of scores as points from Ann Dalton and Neary pushed the Cats 0-03 to 0-02 clear by the 16th minute. But Cork firmly took control with six of the next eight points to ensure a 0-08 to 0-05 interval lead. Rachel Moloney led the charge with three points before the break, while Una O'Donoghue and Emer O'Farrell were also on target. Kilkenny went in search of goals in the second half, with full-forward Denise Gaule gifted an excellent opportunity within 30 seconds of the restart. However Gaule's effort blazed wide of the target, as Cork kept their momentum going with points from Moloney, Eimear O'Sullivan and O'Connor to take a 0-11 to 0-5 lead by the 37th minute. Kilkenny failed to give up with Aoife Neary leading their comeback, and although her side were gifted plenty of goal-scoring chances in the second half - they couldn't find the vital three-pointer which they required to bring them back into contention. Cork were simply sublime throughout this game, with Moloney's sixth point ensuring a 0-12 to 0-6 lead as the game entered the final quarter. Kilkenny showed great work rate throughout, but couldn't match the hunger of a determined Cork outfit who closed out this victory with points from Moloney, substitute Katriona Mackey and Gemma O'Connor to ensure an eight-point win. After the game Amanda O"Regan accepted the O'Duffy Cup from Uachtaran Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael Joan O'Flynn. Cork - A Murray; J O'Callaghan, C Foley, Rena Buckley; J Duffy, M O'Connor, S Hayes; B Corkery, O Cotter; E O'Sullivan (0-2), G O'Connor (0-3), U O'Donoghue (0-1); S Burns, E O'Farrell (0-1), R Moloney (0-7, 6f). Subs: K Mackey (0-1) for O'Farrell (37); E Dillon for O'Donoghue (47); A O'Regan for Moloney (57); L O'Connell for O'Callaghan (59) Kilkenny - C Ryan; L Fennelly, C Doherty, J Frisby; L Lyng, A Butler, E Aylward; C Dormer (0-1), A Dalton (0-1); T Muldowney, K Power, E Keane; M Quilty (0-1), D Gaule, A Neary (0-5, 4f, 1 45). Subs: A Dunphy for Muldowney (17); D Delaney for Lyng (37); M O'Connor for Quilty (50); K Fennelly for Dormer (57) Referee - Una Kearney (Armagh)

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