Clinical Cork dismantle Dubs to reach camogie final

All-Ireland champions Cork were assured and comfortable as they easily accounted for Dublin in the first of this afternoon's two Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior semi-finals, with Amy Lee’s first minute penalty save setting them on a straight path to a comprehensive victory at UPMC Nowlan Park.

When Emma Flanagan pulled down Claire Gannon’s high ball and was dragged to the ground, Dublin had a glorious chance to take a huge step towards their first All-Ireland senior final appearance since 1986.

Aisling Maher’s penalty was hit at good height for the Cork custodian to parry the ball clear however, and while Maher followed up with the first score of the game from a free two minutes later, Cork took over from there and wasted no time in asserting their superiority.

The two teams operated with very contrasting styles, with Dublin using a mix of long ball and running from midfield, while Cork played the ball through the lines with accuracy and efficiency.

With Maher dropping back from her notional position as wing forward to operate as sweeper, Cork’s Laura Treacy was freed up to hoover up a lot of those long balls, while at the other end, Cork took Maher out of the game with their precise stickwork, setting up good scoring chances.

Ashling Thompson and Aoife Healy were imperious at midfield for the Rebels, controlling the play and giving Amy O’Connor, Saoirse McCarthy and Orlaith Cahalane the platform to register the scores that put Cork 1-10 to 0-02 in front at half-time.

O’Connor was on the mark from frees and from play, McCarthy struck over two majestic points from distance and she also delivered the explosive run that set up Cahalane for the game’s first goal.

Dublin had the wind to come but they needed something to energise