Cork set for Croker after mayo win

The game suddenly turned when Mayos Marcella Heffernan
and Ciara McDermott were sin-binned giving Cork a two player
advantage. Immediately substitute Valerie Mulcahy added
her third point from a free and the pressure mounted as
Norita Kelly and Juliet Murphy drove forward. Realization
hit with a point between the sides and the Cork offence
smothered Mayo, who had twelve players protecting the fort.
The Connaught side still led by the minimum with 90seconds
remaining but full forward Caoimhe Creedon won possession
after a short kick-out from Linda Connolly went astray.
Creedon, who could have been tempted to go for goal, calmly
slotted over the bar and drew the sides level. The game
appeared to be heading for extra time but the Rebels clearly
wanted a winner and it came from the boot of the ever inspiring
Juliet Murphy with 19seconds shining brightly on the luminous
clock. Having won the ball around the twenty-one line, Murphy
found herself in front of the post and with little room
and little hesitation, she managed to squeeze over the winning
point. It was the first time the Rebels led for the entire
game. Full time was agonisingly close and Mayo attempted
to fast break down the wing but a vital interception from
Ciara Walsh deflated the likelihood of an equalizer.

The buzzer sounded and the Rebels celebrated like never
before. Tears were shed in delight, in the knowledge they
had pulled off the greatest escape of all. Corks obiturary
was written with ten minutes remaining and it appeared Mayo
were heading for their fifth All-Ireland appearance in seven
years. They had started the brighter with a point from Emma
Mullen, which was soon cancelled out by a Geraldine OFlynn
free. Following that the Munster champions failed to register
for 19minutes, wasting possession to Mayos tactic of playing
Claire OHara as sweeper . Cork were in difficulty as OHara
won a huge amount of ball and distributed to Cora Staunton
who was well silenced by Donoughmores Rena Buckley. Staunton
however did sneek a goal on the 18minute but Buckley had
no chance with a two-on-one attack. Mayo captain and player
of the match Claire Egan instigated attacks and despite
Angela Walsh and Brid Stack doing well Mayo led at the half
1-5 0-5 at the break. Cork had narrowed the gap before the
interval with scores from Caoimhe Creedon, Amanda Murphy
and Sinead OReilly and it was enough to remain in the game.

The Rebels started the better in the second and trailed
by a point following scores from Amanda Murphy and substitute
Mary OConnor but Staunton re-established Mayos advantage
with a brace of points and another from Marcella Heffernan.
The addition of Valerie Mulcahy who failed to start due
to a niggling ankle injury inspired her colleagues and it
kick-started the famous comeback and Cork were in their
first senior All-Ireland final. The last two games will
be the rock Cork stand on when they battle with Galway for
the Brendan Martin Cup on October 2. The Tribeswomen overcame
Dublin in a one-sided contest 2-10 0-7, with full-forward
Niamh Fahy notching two goals. Cork last defeated a depleted
Galway side in the National League final in March on a score
line of 2-13 0-6.

Scorers for Cork: J Murphy 0-3, V Mulcahy 0-3(frees), C
Creedon and A Murphy 0-2each, S OReilly and M OConnor 0-1each,
G OFlynn (0-1free). Scorers for Mayo: C Staunton 1-3 (0-2f),
E Mullen 0-2, S Tyrell, M Heffernan, C Heffernan and K Colleran
0-1each.

CORK: E Harte, B Stack, A Walsh, R Buckley; B Corkery,
C Walsh, S OReilly, J Murphy, N Kelly, A Murphy, R Curtin,
N Cleary, D OReilly, C Creedon, G OFlynn. Subs: M OConnor
for G OFlynn (HT), V Mulcahy for RCurtin (43 mins), A OConnor
for D OReilly (57 mins).

MAYO: L Connolly, N O’Shea, H Lohan, S McGing, H Jordan,
C O’Hara, MT Garvey, CEgan, S Tyrell, M Heffernan, C Heffernan,
K Colleran, M Carter, E Mullen, C Staunton,
Subs: F McHale for K Colleran (52 mins), C McDermott for
S Tyrell (57 mins).

Referee: Joe Murray (Dublin)

Player of the match: Claire Egan (Mayo)

Ladies Football All-Ireland Finals
Sunday 2 October,
Croke Park

Junior Final:
Armagh V Sligo,
1.15pm
Senior Final: Cork V Galway, 3.10pm

TICKETS Adults: 25 Students/OAPs: 10 U14s: 8

Groups of U16s: (Min 10) 5 per person + 1 Adult @ 5 per
group of 10
Family Tickets: 2 Adults 25 each and children 5 each Book
now on: 01-8363235

On Friday night the Evening Echo senior championship continues
with Inch taking on last years finalists Rockchapel. Inch
who lost the intermediate final two weeks ago will be looking
to get back in winning ways and possibly cause an upset. With
the Cork camogie team in action on Sunday, Inch will be without
centre back Angela Walsh however Inch have a solid bench to
utilise. Throw in is in (Will confirm venue) at 6.30pm. Meanwhile,
Beara play Gabriel Rangers tonight in the first quarter final
of the Evening Echo senior championship. Throw in is at 6.30pm
in Bantry.