Cork defeat Clare2-7 to 1-1 in Munster U16 Final

 A  superb day for Cork as they recorded a provincial under16 double yesterday in Mallow with victories over Clare and Waterford in the A and B championship deciders.
Holders Clare relinquished their under 16 A championship crown to a determined Cork who from the start were determined to reverse the results of last season’s meeting between the sides. Aided by the strong wind in the opening thirty minutes they set about building up a seven point interval lead that was to stand to them in the second half as the visitors aided by the elements played catch up.
Maria Reidy had Cork on the score board inside six minutes with an early point. Katrina Mackey tapped over a free to put Cork two ahead inside ten minutes as Clare struggled to hold the home sides that made good use of the early advantages that came their way.  Finola Neville grabbed a fortuitous goal thirteen minutes into the contest when Clare keeper Mairead Bell pulled and missed on what looked to be a harmless looking ball and it immediately gave Cork the upper hand. Piling on the pressure they had points from Katie Buckley and a pointed Katriona Mackey forty five as Clare struggled to get on the score board. With their defence holding the Clare attack Cork turned over 1-4 to no score ahead but faced a lot of work as Clare turned to play with the elements in their favour.
 Katriona Mackey pointed an early free but now enjoyed a lot more possession. Clare finally got on the score board with Lorraine Woods finishing to the net inside five minutes of the restart and when Aisling Considine pointed a free just four points separated the sides.
 Battling hard to retain their crown Clare threw every thing at the Cork defence but they answered the call and stood firm as they denied Clare several goal chances time out of number holding their lines and clearing to safety. Katriona Mackey steadied Cork pointing two frees in the 13th and 25th minutes but still Clare pressed. With
 time running out and six points between them Katie Buckley found the net with the late goal to quench any hopes of a late Clare rally.
A provincial title for Cork but the back room teams in both camps know that plenty work lies ahead before their sides are ready for a shot at the All- Ireland title.

Cork selector Ger Sheehan was pleased with his charges display,

“”We set out to win the Munster title and we are pleased with that we have achieved,  the championship lies ahead and we know we have a huge amount of work to do, last season we were in the position Clare are in today and we bounced back to make it to the All- Ireland final, every county is in with a chance but we will be working hard to ensure we are there abouts come the All -Ireland series, we are thrilled for the girls, they worked hard and  to do the double is great for camogie in Cork””               

Scorers for Cork: K Mackey 0-5 (0-4 f 0-1 45″”) K Buckley 1-1 F Neville 1-0 M Reidy 0-1         
 Clare: L Woods 1-0, A. Considine 0-1.

CORK T Hawkes; S Harrington, A Coughlan, K McCarthy; R O Mahony, P Mackey (c ),  F Cotter, E Kingston, K Mackey, S Coomey, M Reidy, A O Donovan, F Neville, J Casey, K Buckley
Subs N O Brien for F Cotter (45), S O Halloran for S.Coomey (50) J Fitzpatrick for F Neville (50)
CLARE: M Bell; C Neylon, M McGrath, J O’Neill; J Walsh, C Morey, J Kelly; C Danagher, N Corry; L Loughnane L Woods, R O’ Halloran; G O’Brien, A Considine, O Duggan.
Subs M Vaughan for J O’Neill (15) C Hennessey for L Loughnane (26) S Tuohy for J Walsh (26), P Fawl for G O’ Brien (ht) M Collins for A Considine (56)

Referee Eamonn Browne (Tipperary)

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