Cork Football - Its a family affair for the Walshes

Win or lose it’s a family affair and a memory to
cherish. This Sunday’s Suzuki National League final
will certainly be one to remember for the Walsh
family, Kileagh. With only a year between them,
it’s the first time sisters Angela (19) and Ciara
(18) line out for Cork side by side in a national
final despite both playing intercounty for a number
of years.

Angela began her football career at the tender age
of 10 whilst running circles around the boys attending
St Ita’s, Gortrua and soon after Ciara followed
suit. So much so, the Inch players have claimed
pivotal positions for the clash against Galway this
Sunday. Angela who studies Physical Education in
UL slots in at full back while Ciara, who attends
St.Mary’s High school Midleton controls centre back.

On meeting them one is immediately taken back by
their sincerity. To use the word talented would
be a gross understatement. Curriculum Vitae’s overflow
with medals for volleyball, camogie, athletics and
of course ladies football including Munster medals
held by Ciara at every level (U14 – Senior) – at
the tender age of 18 remember. According to ‘Baby’,
as she’s known in the senior ranks, the sports genes
come from her mother Kathleen’s sisters. “I think
we got our interest from our aunts. My mother’s
sister Ann Leahy played senior camogie for Cork
and volleyball for Ireland while my aunt Marie also
played volleyball internationally”.

Arriving home from Cork senior camogie training
Angela characteristically adds some humour and gives
a good word for dad Donie – “Grandad (Patrick Walsh)
once marked Christy Ring!” It is obvious these siblings
more than just ‘get on’, they’re both openly impressed
by the others talents. “Growing up I went to Angela’s
games” says Ciara “I always looked up to her as
a player. It’s great playing together at senior
level and we chat to one another after games about
how we played and it’s really good to get an honest
opinion”.

Angela agrees, “We’re used to playing together at
club level and that helps. I have no worries knowing
Ciara is in front of me and I trust her completely
as I do the other players on the pitch”. However
how does the 2004 All-Star nominee feel about Cork’s
chances Sunday? “Preparations are going to plan
and we had a good last training session Wednesday
night. “It definitely won’t be easy. Galway have
everything going for them- they’re All-Ireland champions,
they beat us at home this season and they’ll have
huge support there on the day. “We are the underdogs
but we know what we’ve to do” she added.

Never wanting of praise or massaging of ego’s Angela
and Ciara Walsh simply get the job done. That’s
their nature and no doubt the job will be done come
3 o clock on Sunday.

CORKS PATH TO THE FINAL
Rd1: Cork 5-9 Kerry 2-5 (Dromtariffe, Cork)

Rd2: Cork 3-14 Kildare 1-3 (Glanworth, Cork)

Rd3: Cork 2-18 Monaghan 2-3 (Mountmellick)

Rd4:Cork 0-7 Galway 0-11 (Donoughmore, Cork)

Rd5: Cork 1-11 Mayo 1-10 (Rosnevin, Clare)

QF: Cork 5-13 Roscommon 0-7 (Nenagh,Tipp)

SF: Cork 6-11 Waterford 2-6 (Dungarvan)
Scored: 22-83 (149pts)
Conceded: 8-45 (69pts)