By Sarah Gaughran
Galway suffered a heavy defeat to Cork in their final round robin game in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship.
The side had 11 changes from the one that overcame Offaly the week previous, allowing certain players extra game time.
Cork led by two points at the end of the opening half, heading in 0-7 to 0-5 at the break. They could count themselves lucky however, as Galway squandered several scoring opportunities.
Twice the sides were level at two points apiece. Lauren Homan and Edel Sheehan gave Cork an early advantage only to be pegged back by Niamh Spellman with two Galway points.
Cliona O’ Callaghan and Tara McCarthy restored Cork's advantage, but with Galway playing with a third midfielder they were picking up lots of possession. Niamh Spellman pointed a free to cut the deficit, but two without reply had Cork three clear on twenty minutes.
After exerting much pressure on the Cork defence, Galway hit two points in a row. As the sides swapped scores Cork emerged two clear at the half time whistle.
The rebels were dominant in the second half, adding 1-3 to their tally before Galway could find a response. Lauren Homan scored a goal inside twenty seconds of the restart - and points form Niamh O’ Regan, Laura Doyle and Lauren Homan put cork seven points in front.
Cork's fast ball movement put Galway under immense pressure. Caoimhe Kelly pulled a point back for the westerners, but again Cork were finding gaps, and by the end of the third quarter it was 1-14 to 0-8. From there Cork never looked in danger of being caught.
As they piled on the pressure the scores came fast and furious. Eimear Duignan, Katie Walsh, Cliona O'Callaghan all added to the Cork tally. Chloe Broderick and Caoimhe Kelly scored for Galway but Cork finished in style. Katie Walsh with a pin-point pass found Lauren Homan who finished to the net.
Eimear Duignan added a point at the full time whistle as Cork advanced with ease to the last four. Galway will be disappointed with the defeat having performed well since their upset to Clare.
All is not lost however, as the girls are out next week in their All-Ireland quarter final against Kerry in FBD Semple Stadium at 4PM.
