Cork Lose Out in 16 Goal Thriller

Cork lose out in 16 goal thriller. By Fr Liam Kelleher

Dublin 9-11 Cork 7-11 Cork scored 7-11

In a thrilling All-Ireland under 14 quarter final against Dublin
at Cashel on Saturday and incredibly lost, this thrill a minute
game. Cork got a great start when 12 year old Doireann O’Sullivan
fired home a great goal, but after that things went pear shaped
for Cork, as Dublin hit them for 5-8, before the interval while
Cork managed 2-6. Cork’s chances looked doomed, when Dublin added
to their total straight after half time giving them a 14 point
cushion. Cork fought back magnificently and reduced the deficit
to two goals with 5 minutes to go. In a frenzy of attacks to try
and save the game, Cork narrowly missed an open goal, hit the
crossbar and the post and missed a penalty, as Dublin held on
for a memorable win. Cork were devastated in the end, but the
players can hold their heads high after contributing to an absorbing
game. In an era in football, where it is common to see swarming
tactics and low scoring, it was delightful to see attacking football.
On Saturday football was the real winner, Cork could have resorted
to defensive tactics, but they did not and yet when they found
themselves with a mountain to climb a few minutes into the 2nd
half, they did not drop their heads, but strove mightily to get
back. While it did appear that the defence had a bad day, but
that apparent bad day was as much due to the brilliance of the
Dublin half forward, line particularly Aisling King. At times
although under severe pressure Alanna Allen in particular and
Lauren O’Callaghan cleared their lines time and time again. Luara
O’Sullivan returning after a long injury gave a wholehearted performance,
although not match fit. Brid O’Suillivan did Trojan work at midfield
and came forward to score a goal and a point. Jessica O’Shea ran
and ran and ran and while her scoring was limited to a goal and
point, her contribution was enormous Emily Phelan did a lot of
good work on the half forward line and scored 6 points from frees
and from play The inside forwards did not see enough of the ball
but Doireann O’Sullivan showed nice touches and took her early
goal well when Cork were floundering in defence she came back
to help 10 minutes from halftime and that helped enormously. Pity
was that she did not move back earlier and the way things transpired
subsequently, the game could have been saved. Tara Maguire and
Kate O’Brien who did the bulk of the scoring in previous games,
were well shackled. Kate took her goal well, while Tara was limited
to a point and was unlucky to kick wide with the goal at her mercy
when Cork was totally dominant near the end. Although beaten 4
times Rachel Mullins when introduced for the 2nd half, denied
Dublin certain goals, with a few great saves. Laura Barry who
scored a goal and Jennifer Barry made telling contributions when
introduced. Looking back now over a mixed season where the only
trophy won was the All-Ireland under 14 Blitz B title, in my 10
seasons involved I have rarely seen a bunch of players get so
much enjoyment out of their involvement. Of course it was painful
for them to lose but it is not the end of the world for them and
perhaps most of them will stay involved to aspire to success when
they move up the age groups. A new first that we have never come
across before, is that a number of players asked if they could
come together again on Tuesday, perhaps that is a bit too soon
but no doubt they will have a gathering not as major trophy winners,
but a gathering of friendship and camaraderie and that is important
too. Every single panel member of the 39 deserves great credit
and praise for their commitment to training, as do their parents
for bringing them and their clubs for supporting them. The referee
on Saturday James Flood had a very easy task with the game played
in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Cork Under 14 Panel Éabha
Howard Glanworth Laura O’Sullivan Bantry capt Lauren O’Callaghan
Nemo Rangers Kelly Coakley St. Vals Ciara Spillane Bantry Emily
Phelan Carrigaline Jessica O’Shea Inch Rovers Joanne Down St.
Vals Katie O’Dea Dromtarriffe Tara Maguire Rosscarbery Fiona O’Sullivan
Beara Brid O’Sullivan Mourneabbey Emma Farmer Aghada Louise O’Flynn
Liscarroll Doireann O’Sullivan Mourneabbey Marie Murphy Dromtariffe
Elaine Scally Éire Óg Cliona Twohig Castlemagner Alanna Allen
Kinsale Marika Cottrell Boherbue Jennifer O’Leary Ballincollig
Niamh O’Donovan Fermoy Megan Brickley Rockbán Emma Haughney Midleton
Maedhbh Flynn Ballincollig Kate O’Brien Bantry Hollie Hayes Clonakilty
Jessica O’Sullivan St. Colemans Jennifer Barry Bride Rovers Grace
McDonnell Ballincollig Laura Barry Glanmire Rebecca Walsh Nemo
Rangers Maria Lucey St. Vals Niamh O’Sullivan St. Vals Bríd Crowley
Liscarroll Katie Coughlan Glanworth Sara Daly Éire Óg Rachel Mullins
Glanmire Meala Davies Rosscarbery Minors win thrilling Semi. Cork
1-11 Galway 0-9. Last years finalists Cork and Gawlay battled
it out in teeming rain at Parteen Co Clare on Sunday evening,
for the right to meet Dublin, in the All-Ireland Final on Sunday
next. It took two games to separate the sides in last years decider,
but Cork on this occasion apart from the opening 15 minutes, had
the better of the exchanges. They found the Galway defence difficult
to breach and it was the same for Galway, because the Cork defence
was awesome on the night. The ball handling and skills displayed
in the dreadful conditions was a joy to behold. Cork opened in
bright fashion and points from frees by Amanda Murphy set them
on their way, Galway fought back to lead 4 points to 3 after the
first quarter. Then the defining moment of the half cam when Cork
were awarded a penalty Rhona Buckleys shot was brilliantly saved
by the keeper but she followed up to blast the ball to the net.
Cork’s confidence grew and it propelled them to a 1-7 to 0-7 lead
at the break. Dogged affair. The 2nd half was a really dogged
affair with defences dominating as conditions grew worse. Scores
were very difficult to come by and both sets of forwards missed
scoring opportunities, Cork much more so than Galway. Ellen Healy
was superb in goal and in front of her Linda Barrett and Geraldine
Rea gave nothing away, Kathyrn Coakley had a stormer at centre
back and Claire O’Leary recovering from injury was not far behind.
The midfield battle was intense with Roisin and Ciara O’Sullivan
breaking even. In attack Jenny Luddy won a lot of possession but
her shooting was off Amanda Murphy not back to her best yet after
her Leaving cert contributed 5 points 4 from frees. Rhona Buckley
was always dangerous but was tightly marked, Grace Kearney scored
a fine point, and when Cork needed the few insurance scores with
15 minutes to go they were supplied by Laura Harrington also returning
from a long time injury, when she was introduced. Galway sensing
the game was slipping from their grasp threw everything at Cork
in the latter stages, but all they could manage, against an uncompromising
defence were 2 late points their only scores of the 2nd half.
Cork go on now to face Dublin in the final on Sunday most likely
in Cashel and they know that only another top class display, will
see them through. Last year Cork overcame their great rival after
extra time, Dublin can call on many of last years players and
buoyed by the impressive success of their under 16’s against Cork
in last years final, we can look forward to what should be the
game of the year. Hopefully Cork will have good support for the
final and the one disappointing aspect of Sunday evenings game
was the small turnout, especially from parents of the players.
The local club provided an excellent pitch and did everything
they could to ensure the success of the game from an organisational
point of view, despite the lack of a match programme.

Cork Ellen Healy, Geraldine Rea, Linda Barrett, Emer O’Donovan,
Claire O’Leary Kathryn Coakley Patricia Murphy, Ciara O’Sullivan
Roisin O’Sullivan capt Anne O’Donovan Amanda Murphy Jenny Luddy,
Grace Kearney Rhona Buckley Noelle Corkery Subs Kathleen O’Brien
Emma Hanley Eimear Harrington, Laura Harrington, Marissa O’Callaghan,
Sile Johnson, Ann Daly, Sandra Conroy, Eleanor Ahern, Claire Ambrose,
Deirdre Cotter, Claire Keohane.