Ladies Football Cork Under 21 Final replay

Ladies Football Cork Under 21 Final replay.

This replay was extra special. By Fr. Liam Kelleher

St Vals 2-15 Imokilly 4-08, before the break for exams in
early May St Vals and Imokilly fought out an exciting battle
for the Co under 21 title which ended in a draw 1-12 each.
The replay was decided in miserable rainy and windy conditions
at Killeagh on Thursday night and in a thrilling game which
again ended in a draw St Vals prevailed by the minimum margin.
In extra time. The great pity of course was there had to
be a loser in this classic confrontation played in the true
spirit of sport. It was a game that had everything, thrilling
passages of free flowing football, good fielding, some great
scores some near misses, great saves, some great blocking,
and nail biting moments for the mentors of both teams and
the sizeable attendance. Playing with elements St Vals got
off to a dream start when a speculative kick for Jean Lucey,
skidded into the net on the greasy surface deceiving Niamh
Kirk who had a tremendous game for the rest of the match.
Vals with the elements in their favour piled on the pressure
and with Breige Corekery and Mairerad 0’Sullivan in top
form they raced to a 2-07 to 0-03 interval lead. Things
did not look good for Imokily at this stage.

Great fight back.

Playing with the elements and the driving rain the East
Cork girls started off in determined fashion and when Ciara
O’Sullivan Scorer in chief had the ball in the net after
5 minutes, it was game on. Later she added another as well
as a brace of points and with 7 minutes to go they had reduced
the margin to the minimum. Angela Walsh hit the butt of
the upright with a stinging shot and it was all Imokilly
with kareina Richards and Noreen O’Farell in particular
tormenting the Vals defence. Vals to their credit rallied
when it looked over for them and points from Mairead O’Sullivan
and Ann Marei Crowley, gave them a three point cushion which
they maintained deep into injury time and with more than
3 minutes added on time on the clock, which was all justified,
Imokilly hit back. Just before that Vals should have the
game wrapped up but again to balance things they hit the
butt of the woodwork and missed a chance for the insurance
point. A long kick out from Niamh Kirk was ushered over
the line and a free to Imokilly quickly taken found Noreen
O’Farrell who billowed the net with a blistering shot from
all of 25 metres. That made it even steven and the ref blew
for full time. Both sides settled themselves for extra time
and with Vals playing with the elements they opened a 3
point gap by the break they increased that to 4 shortly
after the break and then defended desperately, Sinead Corkery,
Emma Barrett and Subs Emma Dunne and Louis Cohalan were
outstanding. Angela Walsh who entered the game with an injury
and moved to full forward did have chances but failed to
convert them, they did have a glimmer of hope when in a
goal mouth scramble they umpires decided the ball had crossed
the line, but time ran out on them and Vals took the title.
Every single girl on the pitch on the night were heroines
and the standard displayed augurs well for Cork football,
28 players have had experience of playing with various Cork
teams and 10 of those on view, 5 from either side will line
out with Cork on Wednesday evening when they take on Waterford
in the first round of the Munster Minor Championship. Credit
the mentors as well for having their sides excellently prepared
and disciplined. Referee John O’Keefe contribute to the
free flowing game by handling the game with authority

Imokilly: Niamh Kirk, Ciara Walsh, Gearoidin Kearney,
Arlene O’Callaghan, Mera O’Connor, Orlaith McSweeny, Annie
Walsh capt. Emma White Angela Walsh, Ciara O’Sullivan, 2-05
Anne Marie Walsh1-00 Maria O’Neill, Claire Fenton, Kareina
Richards 0-03 Noreen O’Farrell. 1-00
Subs: Laura Cronin, Paula Walsh, Leanne Ahern Fiona
Santry, Sarah Wall, Ciara O’Leary, Brdget Forde, Laura Crowley,
Mairead O’Leary, Maria O’Brien, Amy McCarthy, Imelda Dorgan,
Gillian Dennehy. Caroline O’Keefe, Deirdre Breen, Catherine
Garde, Ann Marie Collins Caoimhe McEIlhinny, Shauna McElhinny
Shuna Scannell Katie Kelleher

St Vals: Mairead O’Sullivan, Emma Barrett , Sinead Corkery,
Denise Canty, Nicole Barrett, Katrina Barrett, Claire 0’Sullivan,
Aine Murphy Capt, 0-02, Niamh Canty. Briege Corkery, 0-03
Mariead O’Sullivan,1-4 Ann Marie Crowley,0-04 Louise Holland
Lisa Foley 0-02 Jean Lucey 1-0
Subs: Claire O’Mahony, Antoinette O’Connor, Maria
Down, Louise Coholan, Emma Coomey, 0-02 Emma Dunne Ellen
Healy, Claire Coholan, Irene Coholan.Claire Lyons Andre
Kinsella.

Fr. Liam Kelleher PRO