A magnificent 8 days for Cork Football

Ladies Football: A magnificent 8 days for Cork Football
By Fr.Liam Kelleher.

Starting on Saturday of last week, with the under 14 team
winning their 4th Munster title in a row when defeating
Waterford by 7-12 to 2-03. Cork followed this week with
tremendous wins. On Wednesday evening in Ballyduff Cork
Minors inflicted a heavy defeat on Waterford who were losing
their first Munster Minor Championship game in 5 years.
They had no answer to the power of Cork who ran in 9-13
and conceded just 4. Then on this Saturday Cork were engaged
on three fronts. First it was the turn of the Peil Caillini
Og girls who were much too good for Clare winning on a score
line of 10-7 to 1—2. That was followed by a magnificent
showing from the Senior team in their opening Munster TG4
Senior Championship game; they defeated Clare 4-19 to 0-6.
The only blemish on an otherwise glorious week was the defeat
of the Juniors by Tipperary who outscored the rebels 0-10
to 1-4. In all 5 games Cork scored 31-55 while conceding
a mere 3-15

Cork Minors open campaign in style Cork 9-13 Waterford
0-4.

Cork inflicted defeat on Waterford for the 3rd time in a
week, following the under 14’s girls 7-12 to 2-3 Munster
win on Saturday and the Senior hurlers win on Sunday a superbly
drilled Cork Minor Ladies Football team inflicted a big
defeat on the Deise girls in perfect conditions at Ballyduff
on Wednesday evening. Waterford undefeated in Munster for
the past 5 years, had no answer to the free flowing football
of Cork. Inspired from the back by a brilliant fullback
and captain Brid Stack and in total control at midfield
with Norita Kelly and Geraldine O’ Flynn superb, the Cork
forwards received a plentiful supply of the ball. After
they had settled in the opening period, Briege Corkey, Maria
O’Neill and Kareina Richards in particular, tore the Waterford
defence to shreds. Cork led by 5-6 to 0-1 at the break and
introduced 5 subs in the 2nd half which did not unduly weaken
the team they ran out most convincing winners.

Scorers for Cork Kareina Richards 4-2. Marie 0’Neill 2-4
Sile Burns 1-2 Tara Galvin 1-0 Laura O’Mahony 1-0 Briege
Corkery 0-2 Aisling Barrett 0-1 Cork Claire 0’Donoghue,
Edel O’Sullivan, Brid Stack, Elaine O’Riordan, Tara Galvin,
Angela Walsh, Niamh Keohane, Geraldine O’Flynn, Norita Kelly,
Briege Corkery, Maria O’Neill, Laura Power. Catriona Foley,
Sile Burns Kareina Richards, Laura O’Mahony, Eimear Walsh,
Aisling Barrett, Katie Lynch, Katrina Barrrett, Gearoidin
Kerarney, Ciara O’Sullivan. Claire Fenton, Claire Conway,
Lisa McSweeney, Sarah O’Connell, Claire Power, Rena Buckley
Aine Murphy.

Senior TG4 Championship. Cork 4-19 Clare 0-6.

In a magnificent display of free flowing attractive football
Cork, got their Munster Senior campaign off to a great start
at Ardfinnan in Tipperary on Saturday. The opening quarter
was tight with Clare, Champions of 2 years ago, determined
to get back their winning formula. After several promising
attacks, which saw Cork miss a few opportunities, the decisive
goal came from Susan Power who finished off a defence splitting
move with a superb goal in the 7th minute. Displaying great
hunger all over the field Cork came at Clare in droves and
by half time they had the game virtually sealed as they
raced into a 2-10 to 0-5 lead.

Cork could afford the luxury of withdrawing Breige Corkery,
involved later in the day with Cork Camogie team and Catriona
Foley and Rena Buckley involved with the Cork Junior Camogie
team on Sunday. The trio had played their part magnificently
and their replacements did very well. The one blemish came
for one of Corks best players for the past few years. Regina
Curtin introduced after half time, this was Regina’s first
game with Cork in a year take a break for Leaving Cert,
two weeks ago she had her tonsils removed, but she was back
training within a week. Her stint on the field lasted 10
minutes being yellow carded twice, for strong tackles, which
did not look over robust. Despite being reduced to 14 players
for the last 20 minutes Cork increased the tempo. Nortia
Kelly who had a magnificent game all through went back to
man the centre back position and dominated there as well.

With Brid Stack improving with every game at fullback and
Elaine O’Riordan in tenacious form, the strong Clare attack
was held at bay. They did create problems with 2 of their
best players Tammy Hehir and Orla Keane having their moments.
Cork maintained their rhythm Julie Murphy continued to dominate
at midfield and with Valerie Mulcahy and Marie O’Neill brilliant
on the half line and Jean Lucey, Susan Power and Caoimhe
Creedon inside them they piled on the scores and accumulated
an impressive 4-19. A measure of Cork’s Dominance Clare
only managed one point in the 2nd half. How good Cork are
remains to be seen. They will soon find out when they meet
Waterford on Saturday with the likely venue being Pairc
Ui Rinn.

Wateford shocked League Runners-up Kerry on a score line
of 2-17 to 2-08, with Kerry’s goals coming in added time.
This shows without a shadow of doubt that they mean business.
So with home advantage the public should come out and support
Cork on Saturday evening.
Cork Scorers: Valerie Mulcahy 2-04, Jean Lucey 1-4.
Susan Power 1-03, Maria O’Neill 0-2, Breige Corkery 0-1,
Caoimhe Creedon 0-1 Clare Grace Lynch 0-4 Niamh Keane 0-1
Ciara McMahon 0-1
Cork: Elaine Harte, Catriona Foley, Brid Stack, Elaine
O’Riordan, Tara Galvin. Karen O’Sullivan, Rena Buckley Nortia
Kelly. Julie Murphy Capt. Valerie Mulcahy, Maria O’Neill,
Briege Corkery, Susan Power, Caoimhe Creedon, Jean Lucey

Subs: Regina Curtin, Geraldine O’Flynn, Elaine Cotter,
Claire 0’Donoghue, Louis Murphy, Laura Power Aisling O’Connor,
Sile Burns. Clare Emma Slattery, Cliona Talty, Niamh Keane,
Carmel Considine, Cathean O Loughlin, Tammy Hehir, Una Downes,
Leona Murphy, Moyra Daly, Grace Lynch, Louise Henchy, Niamh
Keane, Ciara McMahon, Orla Keane, Edel Carmody.

Junior Championship Tipperary 0-10 Cork 1-04.

In the following Junior TG4 Championship game Tipperary
defeated Cork in a very physical bruising battle, where
the physically lighter and younger Cork girls were never
allowed to display their true form. The opening period was
nip and tuck with the difference between the sides the ability
of the Tipperary girls to take their scores. Cork on the
other hand appeared to take too much out of the ball and
played into the hands of the no nonsense Tipperary girls
defence. Cork showed their rustiness as well after their
long league campaign, which saw them contest the division
3 final of the Suzuki National League, they took a break
with many of the girls doing exams. This was their first
major get together in 2 months and it showed in the first
half. As Tipperary led by 0-7 to 0-2. Cork were a transformed
bunch in the 2nd half and they brought the game to Tipperary.
Aisling Barrett and Shona Hanrahan got on top at midfield
and Emer Daly, was on target, to add to her 2 points in
the first half while Ciara O’Sullivan who was off target
with her frees made up for it with a goal. The tough physical
nature of the game meant scores would be hard to get and
while Cork held Tipp to three points in the 2nd half and
played infinitely better than they did in the first half,
they gave themselves too much leeway to make up.

Still all is not lost Tipperay lost their first game to
Limerick and Cork can get their campaign back on track when
they meet Waterford on Saturday. Cork had a fine Keeper
in Mairead O’Sullivan, with Mairead Kennedy, Fiona Crowley,
Anglea Walsh and Emer Walsh prominent in defence, but will
have to gel better together if they are to retain their
Munster crown.
Cork: Mairead O’Sullivan, Fiona Crowely, Norma Kelly,
Mairead Kennedy Capt, Emer Walsh, Angela Walsh, Annie Walsh,
Shona Hanrahan, Aisling Barrett, Emer Daly, Anne Marie Walsh,
Eleanor Twohig, Niamh Hickey, Jennifer Walsh, Ciara O’Sullivan.
subs Sarah O’Connell, Laura O’Mahony. Eileen O’Brien. Tipperary.
Jennifer Grant, Mairead Talty, Libby Grogan, Marie Lambart,
Carmel Condon, Marie Corcoran, Mairead Hennessy, Trisa Hennessy,
Denise Fitzgerald, Claire Peters, Siobhain Costello, Claire
Tobin, Patricia Ryan, Orla Foley, Edel Hanley.

Primary Girls show Class.

Cork 10-07 Clare 1-2 Earlier in the day at nearby Gaotenbridge
the Cork Primary girls emphasize the strength of the sport
in Cork when they had a comprehensive victory over their
Clare counterparts. Cork were on top throughout in all sectors
as the final score indicates. Co Under 12 A Final Beara’s
Reign over. As Valley’s triumph Valley Rovers 5-5 Beara
2-1 For the past 5 years the young girls of Beara have reigned
supreme at under age level in Cork being unbeaten in all
that time. This sequence could not last forever and the
burning question was who could topple the West Cork girls.
We now know a magnificent Valley Rovers outfit, strong determined
well prepared and oozing with confidence and good footballers,
finally did the seemingly impossible. At Dunmanway on Thursday
evening last the Innishannon girls came from behind after
halftime to score a historic win.

Beara and Cork supreme Mike Murphy while disappointed that
their winning streak had come to an end was first to admit
that victory went to the better team The Valley Rovers victory
while fully merited was not unexpected they had already
defeated the Beara girls in West Cork and inter Co Semi
final win over St Vals they confirmed that they were an
exceptional bunch. This win will do wonders for the sport
in the area and encourage the mentors of the team Diarmuid
O’Shea, Chris O’Donovan and Ita Hawkes bring the team to
a higher level. The first half was snip and tuck with 2
goals from Christine O’Sullivan giving Beara the boost they
needed their one point interval lead gave promise of an
exciting 2nd half, but Valleys soon asset their authority
and with the central line of the team Aisling Galvin, Sinead
O’Shea Mary Ann Hawkes, Shauna McCarty, Adrieen O’Driscoll
and Orla Lehane dominating they ran in the scores in quick
succession. Indeed Orla as she did in their Semi Final displayed
her excellent predatory instincts by notching 3-2 with other
scores coming from Mary Ann Hawkes contributing 2 goals
one incredibly coming from a 45, Her midfield partner Shana
chipped in with a point with Adrieen O’Driscoll adding two
and Nora Murphy one.

They will be celebrating for a long time round Innishannon
and no doubt Beara will build again. Well done to both clubs
players, mentors and supporters for making it a glorious
night for Cork football at domestic level.Valley Rovers
Tessa Hawkes, Rebecca O’ Regan, Aishling Glavin, Ena Coughlan,
Jessica Hawkes, Sinead O’ Shea, Eimear O’ Regan, Mary Ann
Hawkes, Shauna McCarthy, Katie Richardson, Adrienne O’ Driscoll,
Nora Murphy, Kate Murphy, Orla Lehane, Roisin Cruailai.Beara
Jackyln Harrington, Fiona O’ Sullivan, Marese Lowney, Patricia
Dunne, Amy O’ Sullivan, Ruth Power, Donna Power, Louise
Sheehan, Maureen Sullivan, Lelia Gherabli, Emma Sugrue,
Crystal Connolly, Aine T O’ Sullivan, Christine O’ Sullivan,
Kerry O’ Neill Feile. Good Luck to the Beara Girls who travel
to Galway at the week-end to defend their Feile Title and
to Amanda Murphy who will be seeking an unprecedented 4th
Skills title in a row.

Cork Team Sponsorship.

There is time for Cork business interests and firms to have
an opportunity to sponsor the most successful teams in the
Country. You can have a chance to have your name on the
Cork jersey for just €100. The unique draw will take place
this Saturday after the Cork Waterford Games with a number
of places left, if you want to be aprt of Corks great progress
give Fr. Liam Kelleher a ring at 087-8516984 this is a chance
of a lifetime.

For all Ladies Football news log on to: www.ladiesgaelic.ie

Fr Liam Kelleher PRO 087-8516984