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Cork safely through to quarter finals.  By Fr Liam Kelleher

Cork 4-11 Monaghan 0-11.

It was a case of mission accomplished for Cork at Crettyard Co Laois on Sunday last when Cork took a giant step to their bid for 3 in a row All-Ireland  Senior. Saying that, the Monaghan girls powered by 7 players from Donaghmoyne the Senior Club champions of Ireland, proved to be no pushover. They stretched the Cork girls to the limit for the opening half and indeed had crept 3 points clear after the opening 10 their matches especially when the situation is tight Cork have never panicked. Deirdre O’Reilly has been hitting some superb goals in recent matches and it was her effort on the 16th minute after good work by Knolling Cleary and Mary O’Connor that turned the tide. She combined shortly afterwards with Laura McMahon for the Rosscarbery girl to hit the net and Cork were on their way. Reaching the short whistle 2-5 to 0-6 in front, Cork looked secure.

Powerful trio.

The Cork halfback line of Briege Corkery,  Brid Stack and Linda Barrett have shown excellent form in recent weeks and they manifested that form again on Sunday, giving Monaghans forwards little scope to cause damage. Cork were quickly into their stride and  goals from Valerie Mulcahy and another from O’Reilly virtually closed out the tie. This gave the Cork Management an opportunity to experiment Amanda Murphy and Mairead Kelly made their presence felt when they entered the fray, with 2 points.  Cork play their remaining game against the groups whipping girls this week-end and this will give an opportunity for others to get a game,  with absolutely nothing at stake

Cork scorers

Deirdre O’Reilly 2-0 Valerie Mulcahy 1-1 Laura McMahon 1-1 Amanda Murphy 0-2, Mairead Kelly 0-2 Nolliag Cleary 0-2 Juliet Murphy 0-2 Mary O’Connor 0-1

Cork Elaine Harte,  Ciara Walsh,  Angela Walsh, Rena Buckley, Linda Barrett Briege Corkery, Juliet Murphy, Norita Kelly, Nollaig Cleary, Mary O’Connor Geraldine O’Flynn,  Deirdre O’Reilly Laura McMahon,  Valerie Mulcahy. Subs used  Sinead O’Reilly Regina Curtin  Amy O’Shea, Mairead Kelly Amanda Murphy

Cork on fire in 7 in a row title romp

Cork 7-8 Kerry 2-10

Whatever it is about Cork underage football they seem to reserve their best form and ruthless efficiency when they come up against Kerry. The Rebelettes struggled big-time against Clare in the Semi Final they looked anything but potential champions. But  what a turnaround in 2 weeks, the performance in annexing their 7th Munster title on the trot bore no resemble to that of  the Clare game. Cork tore into this game, played at Nemo Rangers, from the outset and after missing a few early chances,  they really ripped Kerry apart in the space of 10 minutes, the scoring damage was done by Ciara Sherlock who bagged 3 peaches of goals,  but it was the manner in which the scores were executed which was breathtaking. Cork started with just 2 up front Yvonne Cahill and Ciara, with Claire Keohane returning after a long injury employed as sweeper.  Claire took to her new role like a duck to water and while apprehensive about being given the roll in the beginning,  her massive display will give her huge confidence. Every player   raised their game a number of notches. But it was the defence that held Kerry in a vice like grip not giving them an inch. Captain Caoimhe O’Callaghan kept a clean sheet until late in the game. Maureen O’Sullivan gave  the player of the match performance and found her way up from the corner to score a goal and a point.  Niamh O’Keefe was very solid at fullback while the O’Connor twins Claire and Caroline gave thundering displays. Sinead O’Reilly was solid as a rock in the pivotal position and outsider her Beulah McManus in her first season with Cork has been a revelation. The midfield pairing  of Julie McCarthy and Aine O’Leary worked their socks off in the opening half but tired in the 2nd half. The introduction of Orla Finn who won 3 National medals for athletics recently added extra pace to the attack. The half line of Leanne Kearney, Aoife Scally and Marie O’Donovan tried very hard and played lovely football but lacked  strength and the scoring punch and their best work was when they left the ball inside quickly.

Killed off

Cork enjoyed a 7 point advantage at the break 3-3 to 0-5 and when Ciara Sherlock hit the net again in the 2nd minute Kerry had a mountain to climb. To be fair to them they never gave up and came back for 2 opportunist goals,  when the Cork backs had come too far forward, to reduce a 13 point margin to 7, that was as close as they got. Cork upped the ante again,  Marie O’Donovan got her just reward for her committed play by hitting the net. Ciara Sherlock’s predatory instincts saw her hit the net a 5th time, she scored 4 in last years under 14 All-Ireland win, and her 5th definitely sealed the deal. With the game heading into added time Maureen O’Sullivan still full of running came forward to add Cork’s 7th. Cork will take great heart from this display, but they know that it will take a continuation of their dedication and the forceful play they displayed, to progress further. They play the quarter final on August the 11th. The pattern of their display was similar to that which annihilated Dublin in the All-Ireland Minor final, yet 10 of those Dublin players made the Senior panel and helped to beat Kerry Seniors last week-end. From what we saw in the Minor and under 16 displays augurs well for the future and I have no doubt that a few are very near a call up to Senior level. There is no doubt that many players came of age on Wednesday evening at Nemo. The referee Keith Delahunty, who had a car breakdown on the way to the game and arrived 30 minutes late, handled the game well and used the advantage rule to the limit but the fact that both teams went out to play football, made his task easier.

Cork Scorers Ciara Sherlock 5-0, Maureen O’Sullivan 1-1 Orla Finn 0-3 Yvonne Cahill 0-2 Aoife Scally 0-2. Cork Caoimhe O’Callaghan Claire O’Connor, Niamh O’Keefe, Maureen O’Sullivan. Caroline O’Connor, Sinead O’Reilly, Beulah McManus, Julie McCarthy, Aine O’Leary,  Orlaith Farmer, Aoife Scally,  Marie O’Donovan, Leanne Kearney,  Ciara Sherlock, Yvonne Cahill, Claire Keohane, Niamh O’Regan, Donna Smyth,  Orla Finn, Jessica O’Shea,    Joanne O’Brien, Kate Harrington, Sarah Harrington, Ciara Harrington, Deirdre O’Driscoll, Patricia Dunne, Niamh Crowley, Sinead O’Neill Denise Cronin

Donoughmore back on Track

Fresh from leading the Rebels on Sunday Juliet Murphy led  Donoughmore back on track after their lst round reverse against Mourneabbey at Glantane on Monday evening. The girls in black and white had far too much scoring power for last years Co and Munster Junior Champions Kildorrery to remain on track for their 12 Senior title in a row. Final score Donoughmore 6-25 Kildorrery 1-3.

Co Junior B Championship

Inch Rovers B  5-10 Watergrasshill 5-3

Junior League Semi Final

Bride Rovers 3-13 Rosscarbery 4-6

School of excellence Summer camps.

Tuesday 7th August – Friday 10th Valley Rovers 9.30am-1pm.  Passage 2pm-5.30pm. Monday 13th of August- Friday 17th Carrigtwohill 10am -1pm Aghada 2pm-5pm. Monday20th August- Friday 24th Glanworth 2pm-5pm Jersey Shorts and socks to all participants. Contact Charlie McLaughlin at 087-2807966