Cork Ladies win U-16 All-Ireland Final

CORK LADIES WIN U16 ALL-IRELAND TITLE By Mary White

CORK 4-13 DUBLIN 2-11

Cork won their fifth U16 All-Ireland final on Saturday last when
they defeated a determined Dublin side in Cashel. This time round
the victory was sweeter as the Rebel ladies won their first ever
back to back title at this level. It was a game for either team
to take and the Leinster champions, although underdogs were never
underestimated. Their first half performance sent shivers down
many of the Cork supporter’s spines as they chiselled a 0-5 2-5
lead at half time, having trailed by four points at the quarter
hour mark. Points from Deirdre Cotter, Rhona Buckley and Marissa
O’Callaghan saw Cork open a comfortable lead but a quick free
from Lyndsey Davey ended up in the Cork net and Dublin knew they
were in with a chance.

Captain Vicki Power was exceptional at full back and was aided
by the reliable Clare O’Leary. However on the stroke of half time
Ciara Murphy inspired her team mates when she notched 1-2 in two
minutes. Cork replied with points from Jenny Luddy and Amanda
Murphy which anchored some hope of a comeback. The turning point
came just two minutes in to the third quarter when Niamh McEvoy
of Dublin was shown a straight red for dangerously shouldering
Murphy over the sideline. Cork quickly capitalised and did so
through the wonders of Deirdre Cotter who pulled a brace of goals
out of the bag to put her team back on track. Murphy added her
first goal of the day but the Rebels’ began to distribute ball
carelessly and the defence was put under great pressure. Had it
not been for three crucial saves from keeper Ellen Healy the outcome
could have been very different.

Under 16 All-Ireland champions Cork

Mourneabbey’s
Roisin O’Sullivan was determination personified at half back and
added a point to the satisfaction of the supporters. Deirdre Cotter
was by far the best player on the pitch and worthy of the player
of the match award which went to Dublin’s Lyndsey Davey, as she
secured two points before Amanda Murphy put the final nail on
the coffin with a top drawer goal in injury time. Had it not been
for the sending off, this contest would have gone down to the
wire, but Cork held their nerve and experience helped them capitalise
on their opponent’s loss. And so the trophy returns to the banks
for another year and to its rightful owners.

Scorers for Cork: D Cotter 2-5, A Murphy 2-3 (0-3 frees),
R Buckley, M O’ Callaghan, J Luddy, R O’ Sullivan and M O’ Brien
0-1 each.
Scorers for Dublin: L Davey 1-5 (1-1 free), C Murphy 1-2,
N Healy, N Hyland, V Lee and F Hudson 0-1 each.
CORK: A O’ Connor, G Rea, V Power, E O’Donovan, T Mullane,
C O’Leary, R O’ Sullivan, C O’Sullivan, M O’ Callaghan, J Luddy,
A Murphy, A O’Donovan, D Cotter, R Buckley, L Barrett.
Subs: M O’ Brien for M O’Callaghan (27min), E Healy for
A O’ Connor (35min), V Foley for G Rea (56) and V Melia for L
Barrett (56).
DUBLIN: H Tyrell, A Dunne, S O’Mahoney, A Murphy, A McKenna,
F Hudson, K McGlynn, V Lee, C Murphy, S Goldrick, L Davey, A McGovern,
N Hyland, D McKenna, N Healy.
Referee: G Guinan (Galway)

Fixtures Monday 25 July Munster Junior Championship: Tipperary
V Cork, Venue to be confirmed.

Mary White (PRO, Cork Ladies Football)