The Waterford ladies lost to Cork by 2-10 to 0-4 in Round 3 of the Munster championship in the Clonakilty sunshine this afternoon.
Doireann O'Sullivan and Laura Fitzgerald raised green flags for the Rebelettes as they advanced to the provincial final. Super sub Fitzgerald shot 1-2 while Katie Quirke kicked four points from play.
Lauren McGregor converted three first half frees for the Déise while Emma Murray got their only point from play six minutes from time. Pat Sullivan's side missed ten second half chances. Annie Fitzgerald, Aoibhe Shankey and McGregor all had shots saved by Cork goalkeeper Meabh O'Sullivan.
Karen McGrath won the toss and elected to play with the breeze. McGregor pointed a free in the second minute for the visitors. The key moment of the opening half came in the fourth minute when Doireann O'Sullivan fired the ball to the top corner of the Waterford net. Two points each from Katie Quirke and Orlaith Cahalane moved the hosts 1-5 to 0-2 ahead approaching the break. On 32 minutes, Brid McMaugh was fouled in front of goal. McGregor took the free quickly and found the net. Maurice Murphy disallowed the goal however and asked the free to be retaken. McGregor pointed and Waterford trailed by five at the interval. McGregor and manager Pat Sullivan queried the decision with the man in the middle when the half time whistle went.
McMaugh was harshly penalised for steps at the start of the second period after she beat three Cork defenders. The home team found their scores easier to come by. Libby Coppinger and Quirke added points.
Waterford sub Aoibhe Waring poked the ball left and wide on 43 minutes. Cork netminder Meabh O'Sullivan denied Annie Fitzgerald, Aoibhe Shankey and McGregor. Emma Murray belted over the Déise's only point from play. Cork sub Laura Fitzgerald fired 1-2 in a ten minute cameo including an injury time goal.
The Rebelettes will face Kerry in the Munster final at the end of the month.
Scorers for Cork: Laura Fitzgerald 1-2, Katie Quirke 0-4, Doireann O'Sullivan 1-0, Orlaith Cahalane 0-2, Anna Ryan, Libby Coppinger 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Lauren McGregor 0-3 (3fs), Emma Murray 0-1.
Cork: Meabh O'Sullivan; Melissa Duggan, Eimear Meaney, Roisin Phelan; Aoife Healy, Shauna Kelly, Anna Ryan; Sarah Leahy, Hannah Looney; Libby Coppinger, Katie Quirke, Eimear Kiely; Orlaith Cahalane, Doireann O'Sullivan, Ciara O'Sullivan.
Subs: Dara Kiniry for Phelan (HT), Maire O'Callaghan for Looney (44), Daire Kiely for Coppinger (44), Laura O'Mahony for Ryan (47), Laura Fitzgerald for Doireann O'Sullivan (52).
Waterford: Evelyn O'Brien; Niamh Power, Karen McGrath, Cora Murray; Aoife Murray, Emma Murray, Kate McGrath; Eve Power, Brid McMaugh; Kellyann Hogan, Aine O'Neill, Caragh McCarthy; Annie Fitzgerald, Lauren McGregor, Katie Murray.
Subs: Aoibhe Waring for Niamh Power (HT), Aoibhe Shankey for McCarthy (38), Catherine Hynes for Katie Murray (51), Molly Comerford for Fitzgerald (62).
Referee: Maurice Murphy (Kerry)
