Cork on the double in National league

Cork on the double in National league. Div 2.

Cork put to the test by Louth.
Cork 2-14 Louth 4-6.

This year Cork are plying their trade in Div 2 of the Suzuki National league in al their matches to date they have never been tested, so how good they are was always in question. On Sunday at Capincur near Tullamore Cork started in whirlwind fashion with three points in the opening 6 minutes by an inspired Marie O’ Neill Playing a delightful brand of incisive football, Cork tore Louth to shreds, this scenario was orchestrated by a dominant midfield pairing of Julie Murphy and Norita Kelly.

Briege Corkery was unstoppable and with Amy O’ Shea, back to her very best, a rout looked likely. Cork raced to 1-10 lead to 0-03 by the short whistle. Louth showed signs of a revival before the interval but found the Cork defence particularly Edel O’Sullivan and Brid Stack in the full line uncompromising and impassable. They did earn a penalty, but this was excellently saved by a diving Elaine Harte. Different story. With qualification to the playoffs guaranteed Cork introduced Claire O’Donoghue, Blathnaid Wiseman and Tara Galvin As often happens when teams dominate the opening half, Cork got complacent and that was nearly their undoing. The 2nd half was a different story, when to their credit Louth came out in determined mood. They took the game to Cork, scored an early goal, but Cork responded with a goal from Amy O’Shea when she followed up her saved penalty, to hit the ball to the net. Super sub Patricia Marmion hit the net twice for the “wee” County and Cork knew they had a fight on their hands. Louth were awarded another penalty and this time they converted and there was just the minimum between the sides, with 10 minutes to go. Cork then began to realise that they had to prove their mettle and in a thrill a minute final period they held out for a 2 point win.

This was certainly a wake up call for Cork and while they had won all their other games convincingly, this game answered a lot of questions for the selectors. Cork have a very big panel this year and with 9 players missing on Sunday, the opportunity was given to players to impress. Cork complete their programme in the division home to Tipperary on Saturday.

Cork scorers: Julie Murphy 0-6 (4 from frees). Amy O’Shea 2-00 Marie O’Neill 0-04, Briege Corkery 0-3 Tara Galvin 0-01.
Team: Elaine Harte, Brid Stack, Edel O’Sullivan, Elaine Cotter, Karen O’Sullivan, Niamh Keohane, Rena Buckley, Julie Murphy, Norita Kelly, Jean Lucey, Marie O’Neill, Briege Corkery, Aisling O’Connor capt, Amy O’Shea. Caoimhe Creedon. Claire O’Donoghue Clodagh O’Driscoll. Laura Power, Blathnaid Wiseman

Division 3 Cork B 2-14 Offaly 1-05.

The game was preceded by the division 3 clash between home team Offaly and the Rebels 2nd string. Apart from a brief period early in the 2nd half Cork were in control. Their one loss to Galway last week-end was quickly put behind them and they are now safely in the playoffs. The most positive aspect of the day was the support the two teams gave each other and this can only be good for Cork football. Soccer International Kareina Richards had the opening 3 points for Cork with Offaly responding with a point. Cork added another 1-05 without reply, the goal coming from Eleanor Twohig, to jump into a 1-08 to 0-01 lead,. Offlaly responded with 4 unanswered points before the break. The dismissal one of their players rather that deflating their spirits gave them new heart.

Opening point.

They had the opening point of the 2nd half which was quickly cancelled out by a Niamh Hickey point, The Offaly came back with a smashing goal and suddenly they were back in the game, just 4 points adrift. Cork responded and upped the ante, they scored a goal and 5 points and Offaly had no answer to that.

Cork scorers. Kareina Richards 0-04, Eleanor Twohig 1-01. Niamh Hickey 0-03 Triona Lucey 0-02. Eimear O’Connell 0-1 Deirdre O’Sullivan 0-01 Mairead Kelly 0-01.
Team Mairead O’Sullivan, Fiona Crowley, Norma Kelly Mairead Kennedy, Emer Walsh, Rose Cogan, Fiona Healy, Emer O’Connell, Elaenor Twohig, Deirdre O’Sullivan, Sheila O’Callaghan, Triona Lucey Kariena Richards, Niamh Hickey Mairead Kelly. Wendy Walsh Jenifer Walsh, Laura O’Mahony, Claire Fenton, A. M.Walsh, Claire O’Sullivan, Eileen O’Brien, Liz Ahern Katie Kelleher.

Rockban Celebrate.

Rockban club celebrated their All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football success and camogie under 16 B Co. and Junior B Co Runners up, at Blarney Park Hotel on Saturday night. It as another amazing year for the now, 6 year old club. Crowned Junior Champs in 2001 they put back to back All-Irelands together in 2002 with a thrilling victory in the Intermediate final, in most appalling conditions of 65 mile an hour winds and driving rain and hail. The girls showed real heart and commitment particularly in adversity right through the campaign. Chairperson Bridget O’Brien on Saturday night including Mary Bugler from the Camogie Board, Steven Lynch Chairperson of the Cork Ladies Football Board, Marie Halvey hard working Munster Sec, Charlie McLaughlin Senior Manager, and Special guest Joe Deane who presented the medals. She said the 2nd All-Ireland was just a special as the first.

It was a historic year for the club wining their first camogie title, the co under 16 B league as well as being Junior B Championships runners-up. The efforts of parents in bring the girls to matches and training was lauded as well as the coaches selectors and supporters. It was a difficult year for the club with the loss of loved ones and illness, she urged all to continue their prayers for Daniel Foley recovering from a bone marrow transplant at Crumlin Hospital, the bone marrow was donated by his sister Catriona. Catriona had a tremendous year as well as winning the Inter title she starred for Cork in winning the All-Ireland under 16 football and camogie titles as well as playing for Cork in the All-Ireland Junior final and missed out in the Intermediate All-Ireland win with a fractured wrist. She was also a key figure in the clubs Camogie triumphs.

Joe Deane said he was delighted to be present to present the medals, he jumped at the opportunity when Sean Og O Hailpin said they were a beautiful bunch of girls. He said it was an unbelievable achievement to win back to back All-Irelands. Former Cork Hurling Star Denis Burns and Coach to the camogie teams called out the names of the camogie girls. Denis Murphy Manager of the football team did likewise with hilarious anecdotes on each player.

Special presentations:
Player of the year Valerie Mulcahy
Most improved Player Claire Conway
Club person of the year Jessica Shine.

Fr. Terry O’Brien made presentations to the successful management of the All-Ireland champions, Denis Murphy manager, Aonghus Foley Coach, and selectors John Crowley, Maire Mulcahy and Eileen Keohane. Outgoing officers Mary Cronin Treasurer, and Helen Dilworth secretary were presented with a bouquet of flowers. Susan White presented a signed jersey to Catriona Foley for her brother Daniel.

Fr. Liam Kelleher manager of the Cork under 16 All-Ireland wining team and selector and fitness trainer of the under 14 team 3 in a row winners, made presentations to players who won All-Ireland medals with Cork, Elaine Casey and Denise Murphy under 14 Football.

To Sheila Burns Catriona Foley members of the Cork under 16 team in Football and camogie and Niamh Keohane under 16 football. The gala night was concluded with dancing to the melodius music of the odd couple. Hopefully the club will be celebrating senior success in the not too distant future. Congress in Kerry.

Next week-end sees the Ladies Gaelic Football Association Annual Congress in Tralee. Fr. Liam Kelleher is a nominee for National Press Officer.