4 in a row for rejuvenated Cork

Four in a row, for rejuvenated Cork By Fr Liam Kelleher

Cork 3-7 Waterford 1-6

Cork and Waterford met in the final of the Munster Senior championship
at Kilmallock on Saturday evening and did all they needed to do
to capture their 4th Munster title on the trot. Cork must have
gone into the game in rather apprehensive mood after two below
par performances in the last 2 competitive games but they put
the effects of those games firmly behind them. Rejuvenated by
their trip abroad for training and recharging the batteries they
showed they are returning to the form that made them the most
feared team in the country. The fact that they had beaten Kerry
gave Waterford a platform of hope and at times during the game
they performed as if they believed they had a chance of success
but the overall strength and balance of the Cork girls and a stronger
bench carried the day.

Cork made a number of positional changes which had a positive
effect. Ciara Walsh was included in the full line, Briege Corkery
moved to half back from the corner as did Linda Barrett. Mary
O’Connor led the attack from centre forward with Laura McMahon
moving to full forward while Deirdre O’Reilly slotted in at no
15. Caoimhe Creedon injured for recent games and Deirdre O’Reilly
were on the bench. The switching around played almost instant
dividends with Geraldine O’ Flynn slotting home a goal after 5
minutes to give Cork a real tonic. Deirdre O’Reilly and Mary O’Connor
slotted over points in the 14th and 15th minute giving Cork a
comfortable 5 point cushion at the end of the first quarter. Wateford
registered their first score through their inspirational centre
back Mary O’Donnell in the 18th minute, but Cork answered that
with a goal from Deirdre O’Reilly.

Waterford playing some fine free flowing football were in no mood
to concede and Mary O’Rourke reduced the gap to 4 with a fine
goal on the 21st minute. Cork’s response was, 2 quick fire points
from Briege Corkery and Deirdre O’Reilly, but Waterford closed
out the half with 2 points from Mary O’Rourke and Mairead Wall
to leave the halftime score Cork 2-4 Waterford 1-3.

There were 2 defining moments in the 2nd half which decided the
issue. One was a tremendous save by Elaine Harte from Mary O’Rourke
from point blank range after a period of Waterford pressure and
the 2nd came in the 11th minute when Laura McMahon burst through
to rifle the ball to the net. Waterford to their credit with great
defensive work from Rebecca Hallahan and Mary O’Donnell, still
tried to make it a contest and producing fare infinitely better
than last years Munster final debacle they stretched the Cork
defence on a number of occasions, but found Angela Walsh and Rena
Buckley major stumbling blocks. They did get 2 back from Mary
O’Rourke, but a tremendous long range point from Geraldine O’Flynn
lifted Cork again at the three quarter stage. The pace dropped
for the last quarter which contained just 2 scores both for Cork
from Deirdre O’Reilly and Nollaig Cleary. Norita Kelly was named
player of the match on the back of her tremendous first half performance.

Michael Ryan who had been at the helm of Waterford ladies football
for a quarter of a century leading them to 10 Munster and 4 All-Ireland
titles and now with the Senior Hurlers presented the cup to Juliet
Murphy Cork’s inspiring capt who thanked her teamates and acknowledged
the part Waterford played in an exciting final. Referee Richie
O’Connor for the most part left the game flow freely but did make
a few questionable calls one particular one late in the game when
a penalty seemed certain after a Cork played, was upended but
it was too late in the game to make a difference.

Both teams as well as Kerry go on to the All-Ireland TG4 series
and there will be a lot of football to be played before the Brendan
Martin cup finds a resting place on the first Sunday in October.

Cork Elaine Harte, Ciara Walsh, Angela Walsh, Rena Buckley, Geraldine
O’Flynn Brid Stack, Briege Corkery, Juliet Murphy Capt Norita
Kelly, Nollaig Cleary, Mary O’Connor, Geraldine O’Flynn, Valerie
Mulcahy, Mary O’Connor, Deirdre O’Reilly. Subs used Sinead O’Reilly,
Mairead Kelly, Regina Curtin, Amanda Murphy Rhona Buckley.

Waterford. Aimee Jordan, Grainne Kenneally, Rebecca Hallahan,
Eilis Cooney, Louise Ryan, Mary O’Donnell, Lorraine Whelan, Cliona
O’Keefe, Fiona O’Reilly, Mairead Wall., Linda Wall, Deirdre Breatnach,
Mary O’Rourke, Michelle Ryan Karen Kelly Subs Evelyn O’Brein,
Aoife Murphy Niamh Briggs, Michelle McGrath

Primary Game. In the Primary game palyed at halftime, Cork had
a narrow 1-3 to 1-1 win Over Waterford. Cork Kate O’Neill, Niamh
Barry, Aoife Cummins, Roisin O’Mahony, Sinead O’Sullivan, Jessica
Sheehan, Mary O’Sullivan,Betty Collins All-Ireland series.

Next week end will be a busy one for Cork with the under 14’s
in action on Saturday and the Minors on Sunday. On Saturday the
under 14’s take on Dublin in Cashel at 2.30 in a repeat of last
years All-Ireland final. That was a rip roaring game with 31 scores
which saw Cork notch 11-9 to Dublin’s 5-6. Dublin won the Leinster
Crown while Cork lost their first Munster Crown since 1999. Cork
will be anxious to make amends but will need to be at their very
best to conquer the Dubs and no doubt they have the ability to
do it. They have a very evenly spread team and while the work
rate and application to the task in hand may have been suspect
in the Munster final, there will be no room for error this time
round and defeat will mean the trapdoor after entering by the
back door.

Cork Under 14 Panel for All Ireland Quarter Final Éabha Howard
Glanworth Laura O’Sullivan Bantry Lauren O’Callaghan Nemo Rangers,
Kelly Coakley St. Vals Ciara Spillane Bantry Emily Phelan Carrigaline
Jessica O’Shea Inch RoversJoanne Down St. Vals Katie O’Dea Dromtarriffe
Tara Maguire Rosscarbery Fiona O’Sullivan Beara Brid O’SullivanMourneabbey
Emma Farmer Aghada, Louise O’Flynn Liscarroll Doireann O’Sullivan
Mourneabbey Marie Murphy Dromtariffe Elaine Scally Éire Óg Cliona
Twohig Castlemagner Alanna Allen Kinsale Marika Cottrell Boherbue
Jennifer O’Leary Ballincollig Niamh O’Donovan Fermoy Megan Brickley
Rockbán Emma Haughney Midleton Maedhbh Flynn Ballincollig Kate
O’Brien Bantry Hollie Hayes Clonakilty Jessica O’Sullivan St.
Colemans Jennifer Barry Bride RoversGrace McDonnell Ballincollig
Laura Barry Glanmire Rebecca Walsh Nemo Rangers Maria Lucey St.
Vals Niamh O’Sullivan St. Vals Bríd Crowley Liscarroll Katie Coughlan
Glanworth Sara Daly Éire Óg Rachel Mullins Glanmire Miheala Davies
Rosscarbery

Minor Semi Final On Sunday at Parteen Co Clare at 5.30pm, there
is again a rematch of last years All-Ireland Minor final when
the rebelettes take on Galway whom they defeated 1-22 to 0-9 after
a replay last year. Cork were lucky to survive the first day but
made no mistake at the 2nd attempt they have 14 survivors on the
panel from last year and with Amanda Murphy in the ranks should
give them the edge. Amanda will be going for an incredible 11th
All-Ireland underage medal, she also has 2 Senior 2 National League
and two Feile titles for good ensure as well as Feile Skills titles.
Amanda will be anxious to end her phenomenal underage stint going
back all of 9 years, on a winning note. Cork displayed in their
emphatic Munster final win over Kerry that they are a team of
exceptional talent Strong at the back dominating at midfield and
lethal up front and if they can approach that level against their
fierce rivals Galway they will win.

Cork Ellen Healy, Geraldine Rea, Linda Barrett, Emer O’Donovan,
Claire O’Leary Kathryn Coakley Patricia Murphy, Ciara O’Sullivan
Roisin O’Sullivan capt Anne O’Donovan . Amanda Murphy 0-9 Jenny
Luddy, Grace Kearney , Rhona Buckley Noelle Corkery Subs Kathleen
O’Brien Emma Hanley Emma Harrington, Laura Harrington, Marissa
O’Callaghan, Sile Johnson, Ann Daly, Sandra Conroy, Eleanor Ahern,
Claire Ambrose, Deirdre Cotter, Claire Keohane.

Co Under 14 win for Kinsale. Kinsale one of the youngest clubs
in the Co created a major shock when the defeated a fancied St
Vals sine in the Co Under 14 A final at Brinny last week. Final
score Kinsale 3-7 St Vals 1-10 Summer school of excellence camps.
These camps are promoted by the Co ladies Football Board and Sponsored
by Castleands. Open to boys and girls 6-14. Each participant get
an O’Neill’s Cork jersey pair of shorts and socks. If you want
to participate contact your club or ring Charlie McLaughlin 087-2807966
Monday July 2nd to Friday 6th Mourneabbey 10am to 1pm. Castlemagner
2pm-5pm. Monday July 9th Grenagh 10am to 1pm. Nemo rangers 2pm-5pm
Monday July 16th – Friday 20th Banteer 10am -1pm