All Ireland senior camogie championship: Cork 0-21 Clare 1-9.
Clare are all but assured of a place in the All Ireland senior camogie quarter finals after a spirited showing in SuperValu Pairc ui Chaoimh.
The margin of defeat could have been even narrower had Roisin Begley and Aine O’Loughlin converted two glorious goal chances in the closing stages, but it will likely matter little.
Limerick’s heavy loss to Tipperary means Clare will be in the last six if they avoid a defeat of 60 or more points against the Premier next weekend.
Jennifer Daly’s goal inside the opening minute gave Clare the perfect start as they led 1-1 to 0-0 a minute later thanks to Caoimhe Cahill.
Cork battled back to lead 0-9 to 1-3 at the break, but played with the elements in the opening half.
The home team on Leeside dominated the third quarter; out scoring Clare by 0-10 to 0-2 in that period to open a gap for the first time in the contest.
A brilliant defensive display saw Doireann Murphy’s goal go unthreatened for the entire game, with Cork forced to pick off scores from distance.
O’Loughlin and Begley saw their late goal chances saved but Zi Yan Spillane did convert the resulting 45’s to ensure a single digit loss and effectively secure Clare’s passage to the quarter finals in Croke Park
