08 May 2006 Cork retain title after epic encounter Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Cork retain title after epic encounter Cork 0-14 Meath 0-12 Cork made it back to back Suzuki NFL titles after a thrilling encounter with Meath in Parnell Park on Saturday evening. This was a game that produced everything good about the game from excellent goalkeeping and defending to score’s of out of the top drawer at the other end. In the middle we were treated to the highest quality of fielding from both player of the match Grainne McNulty and in particular Mary Sheridan. The reigning champions got off to a blistering start as they raced five points clear after just thirteen minutes. Deirdre O’Reilly got the ball rolling inside a minute with a fine score. Four points in a three minute spell between the 10th and 13th from Sinead O’Reilly, Rena Buckley, Caoimhe Creedon and Aisling O’Connor followed. The Royals almost struck their opening score in the 14th minute when an excellent pass from All Star Geraldine Doherty picked out Katie O’Brien but her shot was well saved by Elaine Harte. Suzuki Ladies National Football League Division 1 Winners, Cork As we entered the second quarter Meath did get on the board with Elaine Duffy pointing. Like Cork they rallied with four points in a blistering four minute spell from Gillian Bennett (free), Grainne Nulty (2) and Duffy to draw level at five points a piece. Nine minutes from the break Cork retook the lead after great defending from Angela Walsh broke up a dangerous Meath attack and play swung to the other end for Creedon to score. Harte pulled off another save soon after as she tipped a dangerous delivery onto the crossbar. Valerie Mulcahy popped over a free to extend the lead to two prior to Meath finishing the stronger with points from Bennett with two free’s. The sides went in locked at 0-07 a piece at the midway point. The high tempo pace continued after the resumption. Five minutes into the second period saw the Royals edge in front for the first time with yet another Bennett free. It was short lived when substitute Mary O’Connor levelled matter. Creedon and Bennett exchanged points as both sides matched each other move for move. A pinpoint pass from Breige Corkery picked out Mulcahy who pointed. As we entered the final quarter a further free from Bennett levelled matters for the fifth time. Mulcahy and Bennett were again on target before Nulty edged Meath into the lead ten minutes from time. That was to be the last score for the Royal county as the Rebels finished the stronger. Cork pushed full back Walsh into a more advanced position around the middle. The Inch Rovers All Star almost levelled matters but her attempt drifted wide. The leveller wasn’t far away and it came off the boot of Mulcahy with a free. We were now into the final six minutes and it was Cork getting more and more on top. The issue and the title was sealed by substitute Geraldine O’Flynn as she fired over the two winning points to secure the crown. A cracking game between two great sides and while the title was won by Cork, the real winner was ladies football. Meath will look back at the number of wasted opportunities and with 15 wides at this level they were made pay. Cork used their experience and their composure and ability to pick off the vital scores at the end was the telling factor. Cork: E Harte, B Stack, A Walsh, L Power, B Corkery, R Buckley (0-01), S O’Reilly (0-01), J Murphy, N Kelly, N Cleary, D O’Reilly (0-01), A O’Connor (0-01), V Mulcahy (0-04, 3f), A Murphy, C Creedon (0-03) Subs: M O’Connor (0-01), M Kelly, G O’Flynn (0-02, 1f), Meath: I Munnelly, S Dooley, J Burke, S McCormack, J Rispen, L McKeever, E McGrane, E Lynch, L Keenan, M Sheridan, K O’Brien, G Nulty (0-03), G Doherty, G Bennett (0-07, 6f), E Duffy (0-02) Subs: C O’Shaughnessy, C McAuley, A Thompson Share this Article 0 0