By Daragh Ó Conchúir
Cork 1-8
Tipperary 2-1
Cork emerged victorious from the second annual camogie legends tournament, which was hosted by St Jude’s GAA.
The Legends 2012 champions were deserving winners, boasting an all-round strength that proved impossible to overcome.
Leading the way was Fiona O’Driscoll, one of the best women ever to wear a Cork jersey. The brilliant sharpshooter showed many of the touches that made her the scourge of opposition defences for more than a decade and finished the final against Tipperary with five points.
The first half was a closely contested affair, with Tipp being that bit more clinical to lead at half time by 2-1 to 1-3.
Niamh Bonner and Maria Harkin struck the net for the Premier outfit, while Regina O’Meara clipped over a point. Nora Aherne snatched a crucial goal before the break however, which allied to a brace of points from O’Driscoll and a fine score from Viv Harris, had Cork well in touch.
Tipp could be thankful to goalkeeper, Claire Madden for keeping them ahead, as she made an outstanding save early on.
They had been forced to play extra time in their semi-final to progress though and seemed to tire in the second half, while their menacing opponents upped a gear.
O’Driscoll continued to be the driving force, slotting three points. With Irene O’Keeffe and Paula O’Connor also raising white flags, while Tipperary failed to get on the scoresheet at all after the resumption, the silverware was heading Leeside.
Scorers – Cork: F O’Driscoll 0-5(3fs); N Aherne 1-0; V Harris, I O’Keeffe, P O’Connor 0-1 each
Tipperary: N Bonner, M Harkin 1-0 each; R O’Meara 0-1
Cork: K Costine, M Deasy, F O’Driscoll, T Doyle, N Aherne, P O’Connor, I O’Keeffe, V Harris, L O’Neill, M Finn
Tipperary: N Kennedy, A McDermott, R O’Meara, M Stokes, T Bourke, B Morris, D Hughes, C Madden, N Bonner, M Harkin
