Cork Ladies Football by Father Liam Kelleher

Cork ladies football By Fr. Liam Kelleher

Mourenabbey Just Prevail
Mourneabbey 3-08 Kildorrery 4-05.

This under 21 B championship game at Liscarroll on Sunday evening was played with true Championship flair and in nail biting finish Mourenabbey just held on by a point, from a transformed Kildorrery team. There was only one team in it in the first half and the very lively Mournabbey side used their speed and skill to good effect to chalk up a 2-07 to 1-02 interval lead.

Whatever was said to the Kildorrery girls in the dressing room had the desired effect. They came out in the 2nd half with much more urgency and had the ball in the net through a Niamh Hickey penalty after 2 minutes. Jenny Luddy replied quickly with a goal, but it was wave of attack from Kildorrery after that. Gradually they reduced the deficit to the minimum and in the end Mourenabbey were hanging on.

Mourneabbey were best served by Roisin O’Sullivan, Sheila O’Callaghan, Siobhan Forde, Jenny Luddy Laura Harrington Ciara O’Sullivan and Cathy Ann Stack. Best for Kildorrery Jean O’Donovan Sarah Coughlan Joanne Hennessy, Gillian O’Brien Fiona Healy Niamh Hickey and Orla Murphy.

Other week-end results
Under 21 B Semi Final Castlemagner 4-11 St Colums 3-06.
Junior B League Valley Rovers 10-08 St Vals B 7-08
Ballincollig 4-08 Rockban 2-04
Gabriel Rangers 6-22 Macroom 0-07
Dohenys 2-09 Rosscarbery 0-06

Cork on the Double.

On Sunday next Cork teams are doubly engaged in the Quarter Finals of the Suzuki ladies Football National leagues. The A team take on Armagh while the B team take on Dublin B, at a midland venue. Both teams have won all their matches apart from the B team who suffered one defeat at the hands of Galway. Cork will be strong favourites to advance in both on Sunday. Both teams met in a challenge at Donoughmore on Saturday evening and the game proved to be a very worthwhile exercise.

Each team were short a few players but there was great commitment with players anxious to make an impression and stake a claim on the starting line up on Sunday. A special word of Thanks to the Donoughmore club for providing refreshments after the game.

The under 14 and 16 squads have been training hard for their upcoming championship engagements. The under 16’s will be first into action with a game on the 19th, more details next week.

Congratulations to Kerry and Laois for reaching the Final of the Suzuki Div 1 Ladies Football National league All-Ireland Schools final.

St Mary’s Macroom will be bidding to become the first Cork school to take the All-Ireland Junior title on Saturday. They play Pres Tuam, at Mungret and the Tuam girls buoyed no doubt by their Senior All-Ireland win last Saturday will be very difficult to beat. They line out with 10 of the Senior panel, but the Macroom girls who have shown great form all year will be hoping to make history.

They have a well balanced team with most players having Cork experience including Senior Star Briege Corkery, Katie Lynch, Niamh Canty, Anita Thompson, Lisa McSweeney, Andrea Kinsella, Emma Dunne, Nicole Barrett, Carmel McCarthy, Noelle Corkery etc however they have suffered a major loss with an injury to Louise Cohalan their influential midfielder, who recently broke her hand. This will inspire her colleagues to work that little bit harder for success. It should be a tremendous game and hopefully they will have huge Cork support on Saturday.

2nd Annual Golf Classic at Kanturk Golf Club Saturday April 12TH 2003.

In Aid of Cork Ladies Football Teams. Cork have a huge commitment in relation to their Inter-co games . Cork field teams at under 14,16,18, Junior and Senior level. The year 2002 was a very successful one.

The under 14’s won the All-Ireland for the 3rd year in a row as well as winning the All-Ireland blitz in the same age group.
The under 16 team won the All-Ireland.
The Junior team reached the All-Ireland Semi-final.
The Senior team put up a great show losing by 4 points to Waterford in the Munster final after putting out the holders Clare in the Semi-final

Cork Junior and senior teams have played 10 matches in the recent Suzuki National League and both teams have qualified for the Quarter finals . So you can see there is a huge expense involved. Dairygold announced recently they were not renewing their sponsorship under the SNO brand for 2003 so you can see there will be a huge burden on the Board.

Perhaps you may have a contact where we can look for a sponsor, it should very attractive with Cork doing so well. One way you can get support from a company or golfers you know is to get a team for the golf Classic. A team of 3 Costs E120 and this includes dinner. Tee times are reserved a Kanturk on the 12th from 7.30am to 3pm.

You can also secure a sponsor for the Tee box from a business or company at €100 if you want to support the venture give a ring to Steven Lynch 087-8547529 or any member of the Co Board or your club.

Fr.Liam Kelleher PRO 087-8516984 or 021-4886128