Cork Minor girls extra special By Fr Liam Kelleher

Cork Minor girls extra special By Fr Liam Kelleher

Cork 5-14 Dublin 3-15

 

In one of the games of the year in Ladies football
at famed Semple Stadium in Thurles Cork got the better of their
great rivals Dublin in the All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final It took
extra time to decide this thrill a minute game, as fortunes ebbed
and flowed during the entire game. During the last 3 seasons these
teams have met at under 14 and 16 level and on each occasion Cork
have come out on top and there has only been a kick of a ball between
them. A few weeks ago the Rebel Hurlers edged out Tipp in the Munster
decider in front of a packed house, pity was only a handful of spectators
from each Co turned up on Sunday to witness a classic. Cork playing
with the strong wind were first to show and after point attempts
from Senior star Amanda Murphy hitting the uprights on 2 occasions,
Ciara O’Sullivan Opened the scoring with a point for Cork. Cork
were then awarded a penalty which was superbly tucked away in the
corner by Rhona Buckley for the first of her 5 goals. Dublin fought
back when All Star Lyndsay Davey who had roamed outfield collected
the ball and ran right through the Cork defence placing the ball
in the far corner giving keeper Orla Murphy no chance. Dublin buoyed
by this score, ran Cork ragged for the next 15 minutes and only
tremendous last line defending from Capt and full back Anita Thompson.
Kathy Ann Stack and Emer O Donovan kept them at bay. Anita in particular
snuffed out the threat of Miss Davey for the remainder of the afternoon
and it was left to Amy McGuiness to provide the bulk of the scoring
for them. Rhona Buckley added 2 more superb goals to give the rebel
girls a 3-3 to 1-7 interval advantage.

Stretched lead.

Facing the very strong wind Cork shuffled the pack at the break
and the moving of Ciara O’Sullivan from the corner to act as a 3rd
midfielder was a master stroke, she broke the dominance of the Dublin
Midfielders. Corks cause was also helped by the switching of her
clubmates Siobhan Forde and Jenny Luddy, Siobhan to wing forward
and Jenny to midfield. Cork’s confidence received a massive boost
when Rhona Buckley added another goal, but Dublin struck back immediately
when a shot by Amy McGuiness, from a sideline ball found its way
to the net in off a post. This led to another period of Dublin dominance,
Orla Murphy brought off some brilliant saves, but Cork looked in
big trouble with 7 minutes to go trailing by 3 points into a very
strong wind. The experience of Seniors Laura Power and Amanda Murphy
was seen to true effect. Laura thundered into the game and drove
Cork forward, Amanda reduced the deficit and then saw her terrific
goal bound shot crash of the butt of the post. Cork drew level and
both sides missed match winning opportunities in the last minute.
The contest fitting ended tied on a score of 4-7 to Cork and 3-10
to the Dubs. The pity was both tired outfits had to endure the agony
of extra time, but it proved ecstasy for Cork and they outstayed
and outsmarted their rivals in the end. Playing against the breeze,
Cork trailed by a point 4-10 to 3-14. Kathleen O’Brien was introduced,
another master stroke , she was to provide Rhona with the opportunity
of her 5th goal, as well as scoring a point herself and Deirdre
Cotter was rewarded for her high work rate with another point. Cork
defended sternly again as Dublin tried to retrieve the situation
but there was no way back for them this time. The rebel yell of
the few dozen Cork supporters rang loud and clear to acclaim a team
who showed pride, passion and true grit, making it a great week-end
for the rebel youngsters, the under 14’s defeated Donegal 5-10 to
1-0 on Saturday and for their inspirational coach Charlie McLaughlin,
it was week-end he will not forget in a hurry. Cork play Galway
in the final in few weeks time. One had to have a tinge of sympathy
for the Dubs who gave it their best shot.

Cork Orla Murphy, CathyAnn Stack, Anita Thompson, capt. Emer
O’Donovan, Louis Cohalan, Claire O’Leary, Roisin O’Sullivan, 0-1
Laura Power, 0-2 Siobhan Forde, 0-1 Jenny Luddy, Amanda Murphy 0-6
Ann O’Donovan, Ciara O’Sullivan, 0-1 Rhona Buckley 5-0 Deirdre Cotter
0-1 Subs Caitriona Murphy, Ellen Healy 0-1 Kathleen O’Brein 0-1.
Geraldine Rea, Ema Coomey, Vivian Melia, Sinead O’Brien Emma Hanley,
Aoife Coughlan, Tracy Mullane , Patricia Murphy, Muireann Stack,
Marie O’Brien Vera Foely, Michelle Finn Leah Dorian, Claire Keohane.

Dublin Hannah Tyrell Aine Deasy, Amy Murphy, Karen Hudson,
Emma Bates, Lorna Hillery, Aoife greene, Niamh McEvoy, Kim Flood,
Amy McGuiness, Natalia Hyland, Aoife McGovern, Fiona Hudson, Lyndsay
Davey, Ciara Murphy. Lynn Dowling, Kate Hogan, Elaine Bolger, Shonabbarrett,
Aoife Dunne, Emer Brunell, Catriona Payne, Catherien Kearney, Denise
McKenna, Ailish McKennna, Roisin Morgan, Rachel Hersee, Vivienne
Lee, Karen Barrett.