Cork in U16 All Ireland Final

Cork travelled to Ballinasloe in Galway on Saturday last to take on Donegal in the All-Ireland under 16  Semi-final.

Cork comprehensive winners, in the Munster final against  Kerry, were well aware that the Donegal girls, had administered ,a 29 point thrashing of the Kingdom girls, in the quarter final. Cork were also rocked by a number of injuries to key players, including the Liscarroll pair fullback Denise Cronin and Full forward Ciara Sherlock, while Miss Sherlock did play, she was very limited in her movement and had to be substituted. Yvonne Cahill top free taker and influential forward,  was still out injured so the task facing Cork was huge .

They rose magnificently to the challenge and had to work very hard all through,  with the game balanced on a knife edge down to the last 7 minutes. This group of girls have great heart and commitment and have ensured that Cork are contesting their 5th under 16 final in a row and aiming to make it 4 out of 5 titles when they play Galway at 6.30 in Limerick on August the 10th. Cork’s win was built on a solid defence, where Laura O’Sullivan, who came in at fullback for capt Denise Cronin,  after missing the Munster final,  was outstanding and with a solid Aiden Hegarty behind her and a tough tackling duo of  Deirdre O’Driscoll and Patricia Dunne,  they gave few opportunities to the free scoring Donegal girls.

Kate Harrington did a superb marking job of Donegal’s danger girl,  while Sinead O’Reilly given a roving commission mopped up everything, with Rosie O’Mahony as solid as ever. But it was at midfield where Aine O’Leary and Niamh Crowley controlled this vital area who set up the fast moving forwards for the scores that carried the day and they all got on the score sheet. Orla Finn led the way with 2-3.

Kate O’Brien who came on a as sub notched 1-1 Tara Maguire 1-1 Jessica O’Shea and Orlaigh Farmer whose pace again caused massive headaches for the Donegal defence, contributed 2 points each,  while Ciara Sherlock chipped in with one each. Cork led by just points a the interval on a score line of 2-5 to 1-6 The game was finely balanced  for most of the 2nd half with Donegal missing some gilt edged chances to get on terms, but Corks class told in the end and they ran out worthy winners against a heartbroken Donegal outfit.Cork was undestanably delighted to win this one and look forward in confidence to the showdown with Galway on the 10th of August.

Cork  Aideen Hegarty, Patricia Dunne, Laura O’Sullivan,   Deirdre O’Driscoll, Kate Harrington, Sinead O’Reilly,  Rose O’ Mahony, Aine O’Leary, Niamh Crowley, Jessica O’Shea, Orla Farmer Orla Finn,  Tara Maguire, Ciara Sherlock, Aoife O’Driscoll, Denise Cronin Yvonne Cahill, Marika Cotrill, Jennifer O’Leary,   Kate O’Brien Brid O’Sullivan, Sinead Dilworth, Holli Hayes, Emma  Haughney, Aine Hayes,  Sarah Harrington, Danielle Downey, Aimee Kavanagh. Lauren O’Callaghan. Amanda Budden

Summer School of excellence camps.

The ladies football camps continue this coming week and will conclude at the end of August.

Tues, 5th – Fri, 8th August 2008 Valley Rovers 9.30am-1pm Passage 2-5.30pm

Mon, 11th – Fri, 15th August 2008 Banteer 10am-1pm Newmarket 2-5pm

Mon, 18th – Fri, 22nd August 2008 Éire Óg 10am-1pm Boherbue 2-5pm

Mon, 25th – Fri, 29th August 2008 Dohenys 2-5pm
For further information please contact :Charlie McLoughlin on 087-2807966, Tom Scally on 086-8918362, Caitríona Mac Manamon on 085-1100826, & www.corkladiesfootball.ie

Results

Senior Championship

Rockchapel  3-9 5-21 St Vals  Rockchapel Preliminary Round

Ballingeary – Inchigeela  1-3 4-21 Inch Rovers  Ballingeary Round 1

Junior C Championship

Muintir Baire  0-8 0-11 Eire Og  Muintir Baire

Photo Cork under 16 team who have qualified for the All-Ireland final