Cork lose to Donegal in epic match

Cork lose to Donegal in epic game

All Ireland u 14 ladies semi final Donegal 3.11 Cork 3.10

Sport is often cruel. 35 players from Cork & Donegal ran themselves
to a stand still in one of the best exhibitions of underage ladies
gaelic football witnessed by this writer. The game had everything
– back to the wall defending , super blocking, point scoring and
that never say die attitude that makes ladies gaelic football the
exciting spectacle that it is.

Played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at a pleasant St Loman’s
Mullingar venue Donegal signalled their intention before the start
with a rousing rendition of the ‘Homes of Donegal’.

They had come seeking revenge for last years u 16 loss and were
soon out of the blocks kicking two unanswered points in the first
minutes of the opening half. Cork were slow to settle and took a
little while to get up to the pace of the game. However Claire Keohane
began to dictate things at midfield and she soon had Cork level
with two well taken scores. The game ebbed and flowed from one end
of the field to the other , no quarter being asked or given. The
Donegal backs were very tight and restricted the Cork forwards to
hurried passes and shots on goal. In many ways this was Cork’s undoing
in the first half as they tended to give away possession easily
and were going for goals instead of taking numerous point opportunities.
The first half was turned on its head when a high speculative ball
deceived Niamh Walsh in the Cork goal. But back came Cork and in
one of the moves of the match Michelle O’Riordan billowed the Donegal
net to leave the score at half time 1.07 to 1.04 in favour of Donegal.

The Rebels obviously listened intently to the advice of their mentor’s
at half time because they took the 2nd half by the scruff of the
neck. Driven on from the back by Maureen O’Sullivan, Donna Smyth
& Caoimhe O’Callaghan Cork attacked relentlessly. Claire Keohane
continued to torment the Donegal defence ably assisted by Amy Barrett
, Emily O’Callaghan & Michelle O’Riordan. In a thrilling last quarter
Cork found themselves 4 pts down when another speculative lob again
deceived the Cork keeper. The ball was quickly moved back up field
and Cork were awarded a 13 m free. Up stepped Claire Keohane who
, despite the presence of 7 Donegal players on the goal line, blasted
the ball to the net. Game on! The Cork equaliser soon arrived and
then with just 2 mins to go Cork took the lead. However, Donegal
were not finished yet and on the stroke of full time the equalising
point was kicked over. Then heart break for Cork! Donegal were awarded
a free in the 63rd minute and it was duly dispatched over the bar.
Game over!

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what
makes it permanent.” – Marilyn vos Savant, Columnist.

We wish Donegal well in the final.

Cork: N Walsh D Smyth N O’Keeffe M O’Sullivan G O’Keeffe
L Cohalan C O’Callaghan J McCarthy (0.01) C Keohane ( 1.05 (1.01
f) S Smiddy V Hallihan A Scally M O’Riordan (2.03) E O’Callaghan
A Barrett (0.01)
Subs : MA Hawkes for S Smiddy (49) C Lucey for A Barrett
(52)
Donegal: S McGlynn D Barr T Martin L Melarkey D Foley C Hegarty
T Kennedy R Friel Z Doherty F McGuire ( 1.04) C Shovlin (0.02) R
Crawford (1.00) F McLaughlin L Muldoon (0.02) E Ward (1.03 (0.01(f)

Referee : C Groome ( Offaly)

Terry O’Brien Asst Pro Cork Ladies Football