Cork outclass the Underdogs

Cork outclass Underdogs

Cork 3-10 Underdogs 1-1

All Ireland champions Cork had too much to offer for
the challenge of the Underdogs with a convincing 15 point victory.

Under the guidance of Brian Mullins, Sean O’Domhnaill
and Geraldine Feerick, the Underdogs have been preparing for this
encounter since May. However despite their best efforts they could
not match the Cork girls. The Rebels showing just why they are undefeated
in almost two years.

Nollaig Cleary who was to have a major impact as the
game progressed got the ball rolling with the opening point. By
the break they were to have 1-5 on the board with the Underdogs
yet to register. Juliette Murphy (free), Caoimhe Creedon and a further
two from Cleary were the other first half point scorers. The all-important
goal was a cracking shot form the ever reliable Valerie Mulcahy
in the 24th minute.

Mulcahy was denied moments earlier with a wonderful
block from Rosemary Giltenane. At the other end the trio of Angela
Walsh, Breige Corkery and Brid Stack were keeping out the Underdogs
challenge. However corner forward Carla Moran did have a goal chance
nine minutes from the break but the Dublin girl pulled her shot
wide of the post.

The second period was much of the same with the Underdogs
trying their best but finding it hard to breakdown the Cork rearguard.
They did open their account in the 42nd minutes when Angela Gallagher
converted a free. Immediately at the other end Mulcahy struck again
with another clinical finish this time into the bottom corner.

Four minutes from time Cleary hit goal number three
but the final say fell to the Underdogs in the last minute. Moran
hit a free against the crossbar but Linda Lodge reacted quickest
to fire to the roof of the net for nothing more that they deserved.
It brought down the curtain on a fantastic six months for the Underdogs
while it also ended another wonder year for Cork.

The real winner on the night was the Hope Foundation
where all the proceeds on the night were going towards.

Cork: Elaine Harte, Breige Corkery, Angela Walsh,
Laura Power, Geraldine Flynn, Brid Stack, Sinead O’Reilly, Juliette
Murphy (0-2,1f), Regina Curtin (0-1), Nollaig Cleary (1-3), Deirdre
O’Reilly (0-1), Amanda Murphy (0-1), Valerie Mulcahy (2-1), Mary
O’Connor, Caoimhe Creedon (0-1)

Subs: Claire O’Donoughue, Ciara Walsh, Rena Buckley,
Ashling O’Connor, Mairead Kelly, Catriona Foley, Norma Kelly, Sarah
O’Connell, Emer Walsh, Elaine Riordan, Norita Kelly, Niamh Keohane

Underdogs: Martina Giltenane, Rosemary Giltenane,
Catherine McAteer, Olivia Giltenane, Claire Kelly, Suzanne Murray,
Meadhbh de Nais, Laura Corrigan, Ciara Ferry, Angela Gallagher (0-1,f),
Sarah O’Donovan, Anne Marie Walsh, Catherine McGourty, Laura Walsh,
Carla Moran

Subs: Eileen Heffernan, Claire Kearns, Louise Glass,
Valerie Doogue, Sara Mullin, Linda Lodge (1-0), Grace Donnelly,
Yvonne Connell, Meabh Hughes, Mags d’Arcy, Emily Hamill, April Purcell,
Maria Walsh