Cork clear Tipperary hurdle

Cork Ladies Football Sponsors Castlelands construction.

Cork 5-9 Tipperary 2-3

Cork took on Tipperary at rain swept Fermoy in their 2nd
match of the Munster under 14 Championship and while the
score line looks convincing the performance on the day
was anything but. With a huge panel to select from the
management made a number of changes from the team that
overcame Kerry the previous week in an effort to get the
right blend. To a degree the experiment worked, but it
did not help the situation when 3 players who were doing
very well, Emma Farmer. Megan Brickley and Maebh Flynn
had to retire with injuries. Cork endured a very torrid
opening quarter with the much more physically stronger
Tipp girls proving more than a handful. They played 4
across the half back line and this confused the Cork girls
for a while. With the scores at 2 points each after the
opening quarter, Cork awakened from their slumbers and
embarked on scoring spree. They began to win the midfield
battle elected to take the wide route and opened up the
Tipp defence. The result 4 smashing goals and a number
of blatant misses. Again Tara Maguire found her shooting
boots, netting twice, the other goals coming from Ciara
Spillane and Jessica O’Shea. Emily Phelan added 3 points
2 from frees, with Grace McDonnell doing good work in
the corner adding another. Their interval lead of 4-5
to 0-2 looked pretty secure, but one can never be sure
with this particular age group.

The 2nd half proved to be hard struggle with teeming rain
making conditions most difficult. Grace Mc Donnell added
a goal within a minute, but then Tipp took over and carried
the game to Cork and it took some outstanding defending
from Lauren O’Callaghan Alanna Allen and Brid O’Sullivan
to keep them at bay. Tipp scored 2 smashing goals, but
Cork weathered the storm. Points from Marika Cotrell 2
Tara Maguire and Emily Phelan made things safe. In truth
Tipp matched Cork in the scoring stakes in the 2nd period
and Cork will have to do a lot of work if they are to
capture the Munster crown for the 8th year in a row. There
is little doubt the personnel is there but to get the
right blend and get a solid even performance all through
will be the top priority.

Cork under 14 panel 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 Rovers Joanne Down St. Vals Katie O’Dea Dromtarriffe
Tara Maguire Rosscarbery Fiona O’Sullivan Beara Brid O’Sullivan
Mourneabbey 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 Name
Club Kate O’Brien Bantry Hollie Hayes Clonakilty Jessica
O’Sullivan St. Colemans Jennifer Barry Bride Rovers Grace
McDonnell Ballincollig Rachel Barrett Donoughmore 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

Cork Take on Clare On this coming Saturday at a Cork venue
to be announced.