Claws to triumph

spoil the flow of things. It must be said a whistle happy ref didn’t help either.

Cork battled back and when they were awarded a penalty on 25 minutes it was hard not to think that this was the game. If Cork scored they were level, if they missed it could be crushing. As it happens Aoife Murray saw her attempt deflected over the bar.

No real damage done but one chance missed. Would they get another?

Cork would go in at the interval down by two, 0-8 to 0-6. However, after watching the first half endeavours it was hard not to think that Cork may be best pleased with the first half score line but surely not content with the performance.

Cork would have to come out in the second half a much more committed side if they were to have any chance in this one and all at the ground would have been well within their rights to expect that but honestly that is not what happened. Cork looked leggy, unfocused and short of nearly everything that made them champions twice in two years.

Kilkenny continued to pound away at Cork and continued to make progress. A goal from Kilkenny corner forward Shelly Farrell twelve minutes into the second period proved to be just one of the nails in Cork’s coffin while some strange decisions at vital times also didn’t help Cork’s cause.

That being said, the referee didn’t lose this game for Cork. Cork just didn’t deserve it.

Kilkenny are the champions and few could begrudge them it. They played well in all the crucial positions.

Mixed it up well in their attacking third of the pitch and never really looked like losing it from half-time.

Cork have now something to shoot for and after a period of reflection and the undoubted retirements Cork will be back, the question is will they be able to compete with the new kids on the block.

For Kilkenny, it looks like the good times have come around again and if they can continue to improve from this win, well they will be there or there about for a while to come.