Goals from Áine Terry O’Sullivan, Melissa Duggan and Eimear Scally helped Cork beat Waterford in the Munster LGFA SFC semi-final at Dungarvan yesterday afternoon.
Orks and Waterford’s last meeting ended in March in a three-point National League victory for Shane Ronayne’s side.
The Rebels were far more clinical this time, finding the net four times and limiting Waterford to six points from open play.
Kerry will be a tougher task in the Munster final but Cork can be pleased with their efforts.
Dara Kiniry and Orla Finn came on for Meabh Cahalane and Libby Coppinger after the latter duo’s camogie drills the night before. Aoife Murray replaced Mairéad Wall in the Waterford starting XI.
A choppy opening saw both sides switch possession until Cork blitzed their opponents during a devastating five-minute period.
Áine Terry O’Sullivan found the net in the middle of Doireann O’Sullivan (free) and Orla Finn (two) goals.
Kellyann Hogan and Finn traded frees but Cork was fully worth for their early 1-4, 0-1 lead.
Caoimhe McGrath slalomed through for a morale-boosting Waterford point before the hosts squandered a number of scoring chances.
Cork almost punished their opponents’ waste as Ciara O’Sullivan’s goal was thwarted by a superb block by Megan Dunford.
The Rebels continued to press and were rewarded with an excellent Duggan goal after 20 minutes.
Finn added two brilliant goals and Emma Cleary shared the post to go 2-7 0-4 at the break.
A pair of Hogan Frees reduced the gap right after the restart. However, Cork underscored their clinical finishing ability with a third and decisive goal.
Áine Terry O’Sullivan ended up finding the bottom corner with another free-flowing move to finally give enough breathing room.
The final quarter was highlighted by Cork’s fourth and final goal from Eimear Scally and a late green flag from Lauren McGregor at the opposite end.
scorers – Cork: Á T O’Sullivan 2-0; O Finn 0:5 (1f); M Duggan, E Scally 1-0 each; D O’Sullivan 0-2 (2f); E Cleary, S Kelly, K Quirke each 0-1. Waterford: K. Hogan 0-7 (7f); L McGregor 1-0; K Murray, C Fennell 0-2 each; C McGrath 0-1.
CORK – M O’Brien; R Phelan, E Meaney, S Leahy; M. Duggan, M. O’Callaghan (Captain), D. Kiniry; A Hutchings, S Kelly; E Cleary, C O’Sullivan, L O’Mahony; Á T O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, O Finn. Subtitle: K Quirke for O Finn (40), R Leahy for L O’Mahony (40), M Ambrose for D Kiniry (40), AO’Mahony for S Leahy (53), E Scally for Á T O’Sullivan (55) .
WATERFORD – E Gallagher; M Dunford, C McGrath, R Casey; A Mullaney, K McGrath (Captain), Á O’Neill; E Murray, L Mulcahy; B McMaugh, H Power, A Murray; K Murray, K Hogan, K McGrath. Subtitle: C Fennell for B McMaugh (ht), A Wall for A Mullaney (48), A Fitzgerald for C McGrath (50), L McGregor for K Hogan (55), A Waring for R Casey (60).
Source: independent