Cork canter to 6th Minor title in a row

Ladies Football Sponsors Castleland Construction

Cork canter to 6th Minor title in a row. By Fr Liam Kelleher

Cork 8-15 Kerry 3-3.

On a well prepared pitch the home of Kieran O’Rahilly’s
in Tralee on Saturday last Cork cantered to their 6th
Munster Minor title on the trot when they overcame early
Kerry resistance to stroll home. The final score does
scant justice to the Kerry girls who really put it up
to Cork in the first half when playing against the stiff
breeze. Cork took an early 3 points lead with points from
Amanda Murphy who slotted over from placed balls. Then
Kerry in lightning raids rocked Cork on back their heels
with 2 goals the first coming from Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh,
who was causing the Cork defence all sorts of problems
and was unlucky to see two more shot at goal come off
the woodwork the 2nd coming from the penalty spot from
Amanda Brosnan. After that Cork adjusted the defence and
started to cope with the extra sweeper that, Kerry had
placed back and reverted to a man to man marking system.

The transformation was amazing, Cork stung into retaliation
came forward in waves and 3 sparkling goals from Noelle
Corkery, who returned to inter-co fare after a few years
in the wilderness virtually stifled the Kerry challenge.
Two more goals from Grace Kearney saw Cork race into a
5-5 to 2-1 lead at the short whistle. Started well. Kerry
started the 2nd half in determined fashion, after a Cork
attack failed, Kerry in a sweeping move saw Debra Murphy
at the end of a terrific finish to the net, they quickly
added a point, but that was as good as it got for them.
They lost Debra Murphy through injury and that added to
their woes as they also lined out without the services
of Munster young player of the year Denise Hallisey After
those scores Cork refocused and driven on by the sisters
O’Sullivan, Roisin and Ciara act, at midfield they created
numerous scoring opportunities. Rhona Buckley who had
a relatively quiet first half scored a brace while Grace
Kearney completed her hatrick, while Amanda Murphy continued
to find the range with points from frees.

Cork may have be flattered by their winning margin, but
they will have learned a lot from this encounter. The
full line of defence normally so reliable had a poor start,
but that was soon sorted out and the high fielding and
forceful play of Geraldine Rea, when she switched corners
was a steadying influence. Claire O’Leary and Mourneabbey
pair of Kathryn Coakley and Patricia Murphy formed a solid
partnership while the forwards especially the goal scoring
exploits of the full forward line was most noteworthy.
Coach Charlie McLaughlin was well pleased with his charges,
paying tribute to Kerry for their efforts ” their first
half passing was immaculate and it took a massive effort
for Cork to get back after early mistakes. Corks relentless
pressure was essentially the difference, but a lot of
work hard work remains to get things right before the
All-Ireland Semi-final against the Connaught champions.

Robbie Grifin Manager of the Kerry Senior team was on
the sideline with his selectors and most of the Senior
players to encourage the team. He paid tribute to Cork
for the tremendous work being done at underage citing
the fact that most of the players had been together for
5 years and Kerry Co Board needs to do something like
Cork have been doing with the School of excellence and
the Summer camps. He was amazed at the awesome talent
Cork had at their disposal, at Minor level and if Cork
Senior management were present they would surely have
an eye on the talent on view to strengthen their squad.
Munster Council Chairman Michael Ryan now a selector with
the Waterford Senior hurlers presented the cup to Roisin
O’Sullivan capt while he had the privilege of presenting
the player of the match award to her sister Ciara stating
the award could have gone to any one of 10 players.

Cork Ellen Healy, Geraldine Rea, Linda
Barrett, Emer O’Donovan, Claire O’Leary Kathryn Coakley
Patricia Murphy, Ciara O’Sullivan 0-2 Roisin O’Sullivan
capt 0-1 Anne O’Donovan 0-2. Amanda Murphy 0-9 Jenny Luddy,
Grace Kearney 3-0, Rhona Buckley 2-0. Noelle Corkery 3-0Subs
Kathleen O’Brien 0-1, Emma Hanley Emma Harrington, Laura
Harrington, Marissa O’Callaghan, Sile Johnson, Ann daly,
Sandra Conroy, Eleanor Ahern, Claire Ambrose, Deirdre
Cotter, Claire Keohane.

Turning point

Noelle Corkerys 3 goals in the space of 6 minutes when
Kerry had gone 4 points ahead fifteen minutes into the
game

Ref Watch.

Richie O’Connor Tipperary kept a firm grip on the game.
Overuse of the whistle early on threatened to disrupt
the flow of the game, but when the teams settled the players
knew he would stand for no nonsense it made life easier
for everybody. Overall he had a good game.

Value for money.

The opening half was worth the admission fee alone, Corks
dominance in the 2nd half diluted that value to an extent.
The local club did an excellent job and must be commended
for the excellent arrangement

Match Results to hand.

Under 14 league Ballincollig 2-9 Rockban 2-5 NaomhFionbarra
5-14 Grenagh 2-2 St Colmans 4-2 Inch Rovers 1-7 Junior
Inch Rovers 3-15 Dromtariffe 1-5

12 a side. Grenagh 2-13 Banteer 5-1 Glanmire 11-5 Grenagh
2-6

Senior League Beara 7-15 Rosscarbery 5-6 Mourenabbey 3-15
Inch Rovers 1-5 Donoughmore 3-16 St Vals 1-6 Kildorrery
3-12 Naomh Aban 1-7

Con Murphy RIP

There was great sadness in Cork Gaeldom when news broke
of the death of Con Murphy, former President of the GAA
holder of 4 Senior All-Ireland medals. Five Railway cup
medals. and 2 Harty Cup medals with the Mon. His name
is synonymous with the GAA, at every level, player, referee,
administrator. The late Con never lost the common touch
he was a gentleman to his fingertips. He never forgot
his roots and remained loyal all life to the club that
formed him, Valley Rovers. He always attended their AGM
and was a faithful lotto contributor to the club each
week. He never spoke about his own achievements but was
always on hand to lend his very valuable advice to anybody
no matter what level they were at.

One of the finest speeches I was privileged to listen
to was his address at the opening of the new pitch at
Lackabawn a few years ago in my native Donoughmore He
will be sadly missed by his family and the wide circle
of friends not only in Cork but all over Ireland and indeed
all over the world. His life was a labour of love and
no the good Lord has a special place for him in heaven
just as he had a special place in his heart for all that
was good and noble in life. May his gentle soul rest in
peace. The Monthly meeting of the Cork Ladies football
Board Monday night last was cancelled as a mark of respect.