26 February 2007 Cork comfortable winners against Meath Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Cork comfortable winners against Meath Cork were expecting their stiffest examination in this years Suzuki League when they travelled to Mountmellick in Laois, to take on old rivals Meath in the 3rd round. At the end of an entertaining encounter Cork had cantered to their 29th victory on the trot and they never really looked in danger once they turned over with a 1-3 to 0-4 lead with the strong wind to come. Missing Catriona Foley, Mary O’Connor, Rena Buckley and Regina Curtin on holiday with the camogie team, Briege Corkery could not find her passport and did not travel to Lanzerote, Briege stayed to play an outstanding role in Cork’s facile win. Mairead Kelly was on duty for Ireland in Thomond Park against England in rugby while Amanda Murphy and some of the new recruits were exam tied. Against that scenario Cork’s magnificent run of 28 games winning streak was under severe threat, but once again they rose to the occasion. The addition of new blood was both needed and necessary and the league campaign in the right platform to try people out, Indeed it was one this years newcomers, who made the early running for Cork with the opening point within the first minute. Amy O’Shea has been in and out of the Cork panel for about 6 years and when she looked set for a long stint, she suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the last minute of a league game with Rockban against St Vals. Ironically she was to play for Cork the following day, in a vital league game. She made a full recovery and was back in the Cork panel again when she agonisingly suffered a similar cruciate ligament injury on the other knee. Back she came again from that but unable to hold down a regular place on the team she opted out of the panel and missed out on Cork’s first All-ireland success. On Sunday she took her chance with a vengeance and tormented the Meath defence all afternoon as well as notching 3 points she hit the crossbar and was a fraction off with 2 more goal bound efforts, being fouled as well which resulted in a penalty. Another young lady who was handed her first start did not get on the score sheet, but turned provider for the colleagues. Laura McMahon is a fine footballer and she showed deft touches similar to her brother Kevin with the Cork Seniors. Sundays start will have given her tremendous confidence and she gets into the pattern of play, with more games, she will be a player who will terrorise defences. Linda Barrett still only 17 was another of the young guns to be given a starting shirt, lining out in the corner of the defence and she was impressive all through. She showed good anticipation speed and skill and made very good use of her clearances. As for the rest, it was more of the same with a little bit more. Elaine Harte was coolness personified and could not be faulted with the penalty rather harshly awarded that beat her near the end of the game. The rest of the defence worked well as a unit and when someone slipped up, there was always someone to cover for them. Angela Walsh coming back after a back injury was quiet by her standards, but was efficient in all she did. The half back line of Geraldine O’Flynn, Brid Stack and Sinead O’Reilly are developing into a unit which is becoming more invincible with each game. Back tougher again after a weeks separation the dynamic duo of Juliet Murphy and Norita Kelly were at their menacing best, they were masters of all they surveyed with a calculating methodology and terrific work ethic. The forwards moved freely, at times they looked like word beaters, they did the difficult things well and racked up some fine scores, but on other occasions the simple route one, may have paid more dividends when it came to scoring. The high number of wides is still a worry, but on the other hand a reflection on the dominance of the entire team, with both midfielders and backs Geraldine O’Flynn getting on the score sheet. The fact that 8 players scored reflects this mindful fact, as well that last years top scorer Nollaig Cleary, contributed her share but did not raise a flag, for the first time in many games, but that’s all right too. Valerie Mulcahy has returned to her best form and tormented the Meath defence scoring 2-2 her 2nd goal coming from the penalty spot, Caoimhe Creedon continues to baffle and bamboozle defences with her dept side-steps and on Sunday contributed 1-1 . Deirdre O’Reilly again worked tirelessly, but did not find her scoring touch until near the end, when she scored 2 long range points. Against the breeze Meath never really threatened in the half, for whatever reason they never got off the ground on the day maybe they had to much respect for Cork, as they sportingly formed a guard of honour for them, on to the field. Like Cork they were missing a few and like so many counties their strength in dept has to be a bit suspect. Cork are still awaiting a meaningful challenge in this campaign perhaps Galway will provide it, but one thing is certain with the current competition for places there will be no sense of complacency in any sector of the team. The other introductions on Sunday were not on long enough to earn an objective rating. With the talent coming through Cork will be the first gaelic team capable of operating a rotation system and the way the championship is based, on league format that could be a vital factor later in the Summer. Share this Article 0 0