Cork minor camogie team dethrone Tipp to reach All-Ireland final as Rachel Murphy points the way

Cork 2-13 Tipperary 1-10 

A better-balanced Cork overcame holders Tipperary to advance to the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Camogie final at Castle Road. 

Led superbly by captain Rachel Murphy, who hit 0-5 from play, Cork were by far the stronger side with nine players on the scoresheet as opposed to three for Tipp. They were over-reliant on Ciara Stakelum for scores and Cork had their homework done as they kept the Tipperary sharp-shooter to just a point from play. 

All over the pitch Cork were on top. Their defence closed down the attack, moving the ball smartly out of the danger zone to their inside line where their forward and midfielders held the upper hand.

Stakelum converted an early free, cancelled out by Maebh O'Brien cancellation before a Stakelum free ended up in the net. Cork’s response was impressive as they reeled off five points in a row through Clara Murphy, Catherine Murphy and Rachel Murphy (2) from play, before Shona Cronin converted a 45 and a free.

Stakelum kept Tipperary in touch as she traded points with Murphy. Just before the break though, Cork grabbed a goal through a Tara Goulding flick. Tipp rallied and Stakelum landed three without reply so just two points separated the sides at the break, 1-8 to 1-6.

Tipperary narrowed the gap with a 45 on the resumption but with the influential Ava McAuliffe splitting the posts, Cork maintained the upper hand. 

Rachel Murphy hit two points in response to another Stakelum free and with the Cork defence strong Tipperary were unable to make any headway. 

Isobel O'Donnell and Ava McAuliffe swapped points as Cork remained three ahead before a superb Jess Murphy goal as she evaded the Tipp defence to hit the net as the game entered injury time.

Now two goals clear, Cork were not going to be denied. Ciara Kelleher and Maeve Cunneen exchanged later points before the full-time whistle as Cork advance to a final meeting with Kilkenny who defeated Limerick 4-14 to 0-8.

Scorers for Cork: R Murphy 0-5, T Goulding, J Murphy 1-0 each, A McAuliffe 0-2, S Cronin 0-2 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), Clara Murphy, Catherine Murphy, C Kelleher, M O'Brien 0-1 each.

Tipperary: C Stakelum 1-8 (1-5 f, 0-2 45), I O'Donnell, M Cunneen 0-1 each.

CORK: A Kearney (Blackrock); A McGrath (Éire Óg), L Ahern (do), S Cunningham (Erin’s Own); M Lombard, (Ballinhassig), C Ryan, (Newtownshandrum), A Cussen (Ballinhassig); J Murphy (Blackrock), Catherine Murphy (Kinsale); R Murphy (Ballinora), A McAuliffe (Castlemartyr), Clara Murphy (Éire Óg); S Cronin, (Valley Rovers), T Goulding (Ballincollig) M O'Brien (Enniskeane).

Subs: A Mulkerrins (St Catherine's) for S Cronin (40), C Kelleher (Cloughduv) for T Goulding (49), K O'Sullivan (Midleton) for M O'Brien (61).

TIPPERARY: D Butler; L Maher, S McLoughlin, L Coppinger; E Kennedy, I O'Donnell, E Ralph; R O'Meara, C Grimes; C Stakelum, L O'Brien, E McGrath; D Ryan, C Cahill, M Cunneen.

Subs: I Carr for E McGrath (47), L Heffernan for L O’Brien (50), K Dowling for C Grimes (60).

Referee: Fintan McNamara (Clare).