‘We were a bit rusty' – Cork boss Ger Manley gives reason to slow semi-final start after four week break

The Irish Sun

4 days ago

LIBBY Coppinger was delighted that Cork could weather a first-half storm to see off Waterford.
The Rebelettes sealed their place in the TG4 All-Ireland camogie final for a fifth straight year on Saturday with a
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Orlaith Mullins' impact off the bench helped secure Cork's place in the final
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The 57-year-old was appointed the Cork camogie manager in December 2023
But the margin of victory was a tad harsh on the Déise — with
But Cork were in control of the second half and Brianne O'Regan made two point-blank saves from Katrina Mackey and Orlaith Cahalane.
That was after a tight opening period — with Cork trailing by a point at the break.
And Coppinger — who was wary of a fast Waterford start — said: 'We were under no illusion that they were going to do that. Semi-finals are for winning and thankfully we did.'
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Niamh Rockett and Beth Carton shone in the early stages as Waterford hit Cork hard. Carton finished with 1-4 from play — and 1-3 came in the first half.
After some brilliant work from Mairéad O'Brien sent Carton through for a goal in the 15th minute, Mick Boland's outfit led by four.
But their lead was cut to one by the interval as Cork showed signs of life despite trailing 1-7 to 0-9.
And Coppinger admitted Cork's four-week break before the semi-finals could have led to some ring rust.
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She explained: 'We've had a bit of a break and training has been tough.
'But it's nothing compared to the Championship so you can try and be as prepared as you can be. But that throw-in is just different.
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'We knew they were going to bring everything but I think we settled and got our game going in the second half. Waterford were working really hard but we were probably trying to hit the forwards too quickly.'
Cork were much improved in the second half and gradually edged ahead before Mullins' late heroics.
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Coppinger added: 'I think we carried it a bit more in the second half before taking the shot on and hitting it.
'We worked that bit harder in the second half too and showed some patience.
'You've got to wear a team like that down but even in the end, they were still coming at us hard. You're still up the walls if you're up by one or if you're up by ten.'
SUPER-SUB
But Mullins' cameo came as no surprise to Coppinger.
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She said: 'We've been saying it all year that we have a serious squad. And Orlaith Mullins is another name popping up and putting her hand up for a jersey.
'She's someone you don't want to be marking in training and she did the business when she came on, so we're delighted.'
MAGIC MACKEY
It was a pleasing day at the office for boss Ger Manley. And the Limerick man had some special words of praise for Mackey — who has not missed a season since making her debut in 2009.
She was lining out alongside her twin Pamela, who made her senior bow that season. Pamela took a year out in recent times before returning to fray.
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And Manley said: 'We were a bit rusty after our break. But give Waterford the credit, they brought a big game to us.
'I thought we finished the first half a bit better and I thought we were very good in the second half once we got going.
'Katrina has been injured quite a bit and she is only back over the last two weeks. She's a class act.
'We call her the GOAT. She'd be good at any sport that she'd play. She's a very good finisher. Give her an opportunity and she will finish it.
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'I thought some of the scores we got in the second half were well worked and I'm delighted to get to the final again.'
IN FIFTH FINAL IN-A-ROW
But the focus has already turned to the final against Galway on August 10 at Croke Park.
And that is probably why there were some Cork players on the pitch an hour after the whistle — just trying to take in their latest big win.
Coppinger explained: 'We'll enjoy the dressing room. But as soon as we're leaving here, the focus is on two weeks' time.
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'It's such a quick turnaround now and you just can't take anything for granted. We'll enjoy a few minutes with everyone and have a bit of a celebration in the dressing room. Then it's about putting our heads on and starting our recovery.'
SCORERS — Cork: S McCarthy 0-7, 4f, O Mullins 1-2, K Mackey 0-4, A O'Connor 0-3, 2f, 1 45; E Murphy 0-2, S McCartan 0-2, L Hayes 0-1. Waterford: B Carton 1-4, N Rockett 0-5, 3f, L Bray 0-1, A Flynn 0-1.