Evening Echo
by Therest O'Callaghan
10th March 2003

National Camogie League
Cork 5-14    Limerick 3-5
Kildimo, Co. Limerick, 9th March 2003

Cork showed no ill effects from their recent break in Lanzarote, having things more or less their own way in this Division One National League encounter yesterday at Kildimo.

Showing a few changes from the side that drew with Galway two weeks ago, namely Aoife Muray, Vivienne Harris and Briege Corkery getting starting slots, they were quickly into their stride.

After 15 minutes they led 2-3 to 0-2 and by 20 minutes it was 4-5 to 0-3. However, despite the apparent one-sided nature of the game, Limerick coach John Lacey was able to pick out some positives from their second-half comeback.

"We left in terrible soft goals in the first-half and were chasing the game from early on, so I do not think that we were as bad as the interval score of 4-10 to 1-3 portrayed us," he said.

"The league is a learning experience and I was delighted with the way the girls applied themselves after the change over. I was impressed with Deirdre Fitzpatrick who came on at corner-back, and I thought Claire Mulcahy did well at wing-back. If we can build and learn I will be happy."

Limerick have two games remaining - away to Kilkenny and home to Wexford.

For these clashes they should have a more stable selection with Mairead Kelly, Meadbh Nash and Aoife Sheehan available.

Cork who played with the gale in the first half, had a pair of goals each from Jennifer O'Leary and Una O'Donoghue.

Their back line was in control too, with Stephanie Dunlea filling her new position at full-back quite well.

Outside her Mary O'Connor and Sara Hayes were in superb form, while midfielders Corkery and Harris did well.

Limerick faced a mammoth task taking the field for the second half but they never surrendered.

Eileen O'Brien, who had a fine game at wing-forward, poached a lovely goal a minute after the re-start, while Vera Sheehan and her sister Deirdre never gave up the chase.

At full-back Rose Collins had another fine game, even though Ciara Healy did beat her for Cork's fifth goal.

The Leesiders meet Kilkenny at home next weekend in a vital tie. The Cats have two points from one game and with Galway and Cork on equal points, both sides will need to win to keep their hopes alive.

Scorers for Cork: J O'Leary and U O'Donoghue 2-2 each; C Healy 1-2; F O'Driscoll 0-4 (0-2 frees); E Burke 0-2; C Harrington and O O'Sullivan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Limerick: E O'Brien 1-4 (0-4 frees); M Keating and A White 1-0 each; V Sheehan 0-1.

CORK: A Murray, J O'Callaghan, S Dunlea, L O'Connell, S Hayes, M O'Connor, G O'Connor, V Harris, B Corkery, E Burke, C Harrington, J O'Leary, U O'Donoghue, C Healy, F O'Driscoll.
Subs: O O'Sullivan for U O'Donoghue, C Corkery for F O'Driscoll, C Desmond for J O'Leary (all 48 mins).

LIMERICK: B O'Brien, G McNamara, R Collins, A O'Reilly, C Mulcahy, D Sheehan, J Clifford, V Sheehand, M Casey, A O'Connell, A White, E O'Brien, P Cronin, M Keating, M Sheehan.
Subs: D Fitzpatrick for A O'Reilly, J Dolan for A White, S McAuliffe for A O'Connell, N Collins for M Sheehan, M Fleury for P Cronin.

Referee:E Browne (Tipperary).