Cotter and Mackey give resolute Cork the vital edge

CAMOGIE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE FINAL/Cork 1-8 Wexford 0-9:CORK MARKED their return to the big time with a deserved victory to scupper Wexford's four-in-a-row title bid at Semple Stadium.

They had to do it the hard way too, overcoming a nervous first half display in which they were a clear second best. They trailed 0-6 to 0-3 at the interval.

The switch of Orla Cotter to midfield proved key for Cork as she went on to give a player-of-the-match performance.

Katrina Mackey’s 39th minute goal, she hand-passed to the net after eluding the Wexford rearguard, gave Cork the lead. It helped them establish a four-point buffer which was enough to withstand Wexford’s late rally.

Emboldened, they added points from Cotter, O’Leary (free) and team captain Julia White.

Cotter and Gemma O’Connor gave dominant displays around the middle in the second half, while the Cork defence was outstanding. It was upon this defensive and midfield foundation that Cork eked out their win, reducing the normally goal-hungry Wexford to only two green-flag opportunities that yielded but a point via Ursula Jacob’s first-half penalty after 13 minutes.

Wexford were over-reliant on the Oulart-The Ballagh sharpshooter for scores from placed balls. Jacob provided five of their six first-half points and added another late in the second half. In contrast, all bar three of Cork’s points came from play and that was significant in the end.

Derry defeated Meath 2-11 to 0-6 in the Divsion Two final .

CORK: A Murray; J Duffy, R Buckley, J O’Callaghan; B Corkery, E O’Sullivan, P Mackey; L Dorgan, G O’Connor; O Cotter (0-2), A Geary (0-1), K Mackey (1-1); J White (0-1), R Curtin, J O’Leary (0-3 frees). Subs: J Casey for Dorgan (31 mins), K Buckley for Curtin (51 mins)

WEXFORD: M D’Arcy; N Lambert, C O’Loughlin, K Atkinson; S Redmond, M Leacy, D Codd; J Dwyer, L Bolger; K Kelly, B Gordon, F Rochford; K Parrock (0-1), U Jacob (0-6, five frees, one pen) , E Quigley. Subs: M O’Leary for Rochford (40 mins); U Leacy (0-1) for Quigley (40 mins); C O’Connor for Redmond (42 mins); L Holohan for Gordon (50 mins); F Kavanagh for Dwyer (57 mins).

Referee: A Lagrue (Kildare).