Cork produced an outstanding second-half performance to blitz Derry and retain their 100% record in this year’s Irish Daily Star League Division 1 writes Daragh Ó Conchúir.
The Leesiders will play Clare in the semi-final in a fortnight, with Kilkenny, who defeated Offaly, taking on Wexford in the other semi-final.
The pacy Julia White notched up an early goal for Cork but Derry were extremely competitive in the opening half and Karen Kielt found the opposition net from a penalty at the end of the first quarter.
Grainne McNicholl was brilliant in the half back line for John A Mullan’s side and they remained very much in contention at the interval, trailing by just 1-8 to 1-3.
The defending champions moved through the gears after the resumption, with Síle Burns plundering two goals and Jenny O’Leary also raising a green flag.
Mullan introduced his full complement of substitutes as he continues his bid to get as many players as possible accustomed to top level camogie ahead of a maiden senior championship campaign.
Cork kept the foot on the throttle and O’Leary, White, Orla Cotter, Katrina Mackey and the excellent Briege Corkery were amongst the point-scorers as they strolled to a comfortable 4-21 to 3-5 success.
Kielt found the net to bring her personal tally to 1-4 and Áine Kelly also goaled for Derry.
Kilkenny confirmed their place in the last four by coming out on top in the battle with Offaly, 2-13 to 0-10.
Ann Dalton did much of the damage, scoring seven points from placed balls, while Edwina Keane and Denise Gaule were also multiple scorers. Mairéad Power and Áine Fahey scored the goals that made sure Offaly could not peg them back.
The Faithful were much too reliant on the ever-dependable Elaine Dermody, who scored all bar one of her side’s points. Those nine points all came from frees, with Siobhán Flannery contributing Offaly’s only score from play.
