By Daragh Ó Conchúir at UPMC Nowlan Park
In between posing for photos and signing hurleys and jerseys, Libby Coppinger attempted to break down how Cork had weathered an early Waterford storm to eventually book a place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie final for a fifth straight year, by 1-21 to 1-11.
The margin was a little harsh on the Déise perhaps, with sub Orlaith Mullins hitting 1-2 in injury time, but Cork were well in control in the second half and Brianne O’Regan made two point-blanks saves from Katrina Mackey and Orlaith Cahalane.
Mackey, in her 17th season of championship action, was a late call-up after injury ruled Clodagh Finn out.
The Douglas dynamo has been struggling with injury all year but you wouldn’t know it, particularly as she hit three early second-half points to let Waterford know they would have to find another level or two to prevail on this day.
Saoirse McCarthy was probably the game’s most influential figure, hitting some scorching scores from play and frees as she finished with seven but in general, it was a satisfying effort with Coppinger just satisfied that the experience and depth of panel shone through.
Certainly, with Niamh Rockett and in particular Beth Carton flying, Waterford hit them hard early on. Carton finished with 1-4 from play, 1-3 coming in the first half and after some brilliant work by Mairéad O’Brien sent her away for a 15th minute goal, Mick Boland’s outfit led by four.
It was back to one by the break, however, 1-7 to 0-9 and gradually, Cork edged ahead before Mullins’s final flourish.
“We were under no illusion that they were going to do that today so the first thing is relief,” was Coppinger’s initial assertion.
“Semi-finals are for winning and thankfully we did.
“We’ve had a bit of a break and training has been tough but it’s nothing compared to championship so you can try and be as prepared as you can be but that throw-in, it’s different.
“We knew they were going to bring everything but I think we settled and got our game going in the second half.
“Waterford were working really hard but we were probably trying to hit the forwards too quick. I think in the second half we carried it a bit more before taking the shot on and hitting it. We worked that bit harder in the second half too and showed some patience. You’ve got to wear a team like that down but even in the end, they were still coming at us hard. You’re still up the walls, if you’re up one or if you’re up ten.”
Mullins’ cameo came as no surprise to Coppinger.
“We’ve been saying it all year that we’ve a serious squad and Orlaith Mullins is another name popping up and putting her hand up for a jersey. She’s someone you don’t want to be marking at training and she did the business when she came on, so we’re delighted.”
Manley had some special words of praise for Katrina, who hasn’t missed a season since making her debut in 2009, and was lining out alongside her twin Pamela, who also made her senior bow that season but took a year out in recent times before returning to fray.
“The four weeks (break), we were a bit rusty, but give Waterford the credit, they brought a big game to us,” said the Cork boss.
“I thought we finished the first half a bit better and once we got going, I thought we were very good in the second half.
“Katrina has been injured quite a bit. She’s only back in the last two weeks. She’s a class act. We call her The GOAT. Any sport she’d play, she’d be good at. She’s a very good finisher. Give her an opportunity and she finishes.
“I thought some of the scores we got in the second half were well worked and I’m delighted to get to the final again.”
And the refocus begins pretty quickly, which is probably why there were some Cork players still on the pitch more than an hour after the final whistle, just trying to squeeze the last bit of enjoyment out of winning a big game. The ultimate target remains, however.
“We’ll probably enjoy the dressing room and as soon as we’re leaving here, the focus is on two weeks’ time,” Coppinger declared. “It’s such a quick turnaround now, you can’t take anything for granted. We’ll enjoy a few minutes with everyone and have a bit of a celebration in the dressing room, and then it’s heads on and get the recovery going.”
