Cork 3-9 Galway 1-4

Jennifer O'Leary's two goal salvo steered Cork to an 11-point victory over a disappointing Galway in their Foras na Gaeilge Senior All-Ireland camogie semi-final at Nowlan Park yesterday.

Cork dominated the opening 30 minutes, with wing-forward Jennifer O'Leary in sparkling form. The classy player pointed her side in front in the opening minute, but Galway sparkled in the following five minutes with an Orla Kilenny point bringing the sides level, after which full-forward Annie Marie Hayes got inside the defence and sent a cracking shot to the net.

But O'Leary was already creating a huge impression with her delightful runs, delicate flicks, and super finishing, punishing an over-worked Galway defence where Ailbha Kelly and Sinead Cahalan were striving to contain a rampant Cork attack.

Just 14 minutes into the game Elaine Burke sprung for Cork's opening goal, and when O'Leary added a second one minute later, Galway were well and truly buried as the Rebel girls went in with a comfortable 2-6 to 1-1 interval lead.

Galway never looked like coming back, despite two early points from corner-forward Lourda Kavanagh on the resumption, as O'Leary found the net again after 37 minutes to leave her side leading 3-6 to 1-3.

Galway made valiant efforts to put a more respectable look on the final scoreline but luck deserted them for even substitute Therse Maher mis-hit a penalty 21 close to the finish. It just about summed up their day of woe.

SCORERS - Cork: J O'Leary 2-5; E Burke 1-1; R Moloney, E Dillon, U O'Donoghue 0-1 each.
Galway: A M Hayes 1-0; L Kavanagh 0-3; O. Kilkenny 0-1.

CORK: A Murray; J O'Callaghan, R Holland, S Dunlea; P O'Connor, M O'Connor, R Buckley; G O'Connor, V Harris; R Moloney, E Dillon, J O'Leary; E Burke, E Watson, C Desmond. Subs: G Casey for Desmond; R Curtin for Holland; A Geary for Watson; B Corkery for G O'Connor; D O'Donoghue for Burke.

GALWAY: S Earner; M Carr, S Cahalan, L Flynn; L Lally, A Kelly, S Keane; A Lynskey, C Glennon; O Kilkenny, B Hanny, A Hillary; L Kavanagh, A M Hayes, C Kelly. Subs: E Kilkelly for Hanny; R Glynn for Keane; T Maher for Lynskey.