Galway have too much firepower for Cork to capture All-Ireland U16 camogie crown

Galway 5-11 Cork 3-8 

A superior Galway denied Cork to take the All-Ireland U16 Championship tile in OPMC Nowlan Park.

Cork can have few complaints against a very strong Galway, who had excellent performers in all sectors, including corner-forward Cara Giblin who hit 3-2 and collected the Eir Player Of the Match prize.

Despite being aided by the strong wind in the opening half Cork were in trouble, down by seven at the break.

Leah Hannigan opened the scoring but Galway quickly stamped their authority on the game with a Giblin goal two minutes later. They opted for an extra player in defence and closed down the Cork attack before moving the ball quickly forward. The pace of Giblin, Rosin Coleman and Amy Kenny caused huge problems. 

Lea Meillouin did edge Cork in front after seven minutes with a superb goal and it was level pegging at 1-2 apiece at the end of the opening quarter.

Lauren O'Connor's superb long-range effort had Cork back but Cork failed to score for the remainder of the half as Galway took over.

Kate O'Sullivan set up Galway’s second goal as she took on two Cork defenders before ing to Coleman who made no mistake. The cheering hadn’t subsided when Giblin rattled the net for her second. 

Giblin and Amy Kenny added points to leave Galway leading 3-4 to 1-3 at the break leaving Cork with it all to do.

Coleman pointed an early Galway free on the restart but Cork responded quickly as Meillouin gave them a glimmer of hope with a superb goal. Three points in a row from Giblin, Coleman and Sinead Feeney restored Galway’s eight-point advantage though. 

Cork dug deep with Lexi Manley and Sarah Kelleher pointing before the sides swapped goals in the space of a minute through Ciara Mullins and Cork subs Maebh Fitzgerald.

With the wind, Galway moved the ball fast inside. Amy Kenny and Eve Kenny had points either side of two Orla Troy frees but Giblin had the final say as Galway made up for losing last year's U16 decider.

Scorers for Galway: C Giblin 3-2, R Coleman 1-3, C Mullins 1-1, A Kenny 0-3, S Feeney, E Kenny (f) 0-1 each.

Cork: L Meillouin 2-1 (0-1 f), M Fitzgerald 1-0, L Manley 0-2, O Troy 0-2 f each, L O’ Connor, L Hannigan, S Kelleher 0-1 each.

GALWAY: E Murray; S Counihane, L Hartigan, E Rabbitte; B Glynn, E Burke, K Leen; E Kenny, S Feeney; L Morgan, A Kenny, C Giblin; R Coleman, K O'Sullivan, C Mullins.

Subs: S Barry for R Coleman (49), G Bergin for L Morgan (52), A Murray for E Burke (54).

CORK: C Hynes (Midleton); F Ronan (Ballyhea), R Jones (Inniscarra), A Coleman (Sliabh Rua); M Keane (Blarney), C Roche (Eire Óg), C Hayes (St Catherine’s); O Troy (Newtownshandrum), G O'Connell (Aghabullogue); S Dwyer (Douglas), C Harte (Barryroe), L O'Connor (Killeagh); L Manley (Aghbullogue), L Hannigan (Ballincollig, c), L Meillouin (Inniscarra).

Subs: R O'Mahony (Carrigaline) for R Jones (26), S Kelleher (Aghabullogue) for G O'Connell (28), L Ryan (Newtownshandrum) for S Dwyer (32), R Morrison (Douglas) for L Manley (40), M Fitzgerald (St Catherine’s) for L O'Connor (42), S Gunn (Douglas) For C Hayes (42), A Bishop (Ballinascarthy) for C Harte (54), S Galvin (Éire Óg) for L Hannigan (60).

Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).