By Daragh Ó Conchúir
Cork put themselves in a very strong position to make the semi-finals of the Irish Daily Star camogie league with a resounding 5-20 to 1-4 victory over Offaly in the weekend’s sole Division 1 tie at St Brendan’s Park in Birr.
The Leesiders were superior in all facets of the game and hard though Offaly tried, they were no match for their talented visitors.
Cork burst out of the blocks with serious intent and had five points on the board in a matter of minutes. Katie Buckley and Jennifer O’Leary bagged goals inside the opening quarter, and when the powerful Gemma O’Connor sent the net rattling just before half time, it was curtains for Offaly.
The hosts trailed by 3-10 to 0-2 at the interval and matters didn’t improve in any appreciable manner in the second half, despite the gallant efforts of Michaela Morkan, Marion Crean and goalscorer, Arlene Watkins.
But Cork had too much firepower, and with dual star, Briege Corkery in irrepressible form, there was plenty of ammunition for the Rebel sharpshooters. Buckley and O’Leary both grabbed their second goals and O’Leary topped a wonderful personal outing by accumulating a tally of 2-7.
In Division 2, two goals from Caitriona McGlone and 1-5 from Poc Fada champion, Trish Jackman helped Waterford to a 3-11 to 1-10 victory over Limerick, for whom the classy Niamh Mulcahy scored seven points.
In the other Division 2 outing, Down beat Cork 1-11 to 0-7.
