Cork win crucial battle on road to treble chance

Cork win crucial battle on road to treble chance by Fr Liam Kelleher

Cork Ladies Football. Cork 2-13 Galway 1-12

When the draw was made for the TG4 Championship in the new Champions
League format, Cork and Galway looked odds on to qualify for the
knockout stages by reaching the quarter finals. In a fine game of
football Cork dominated the opening half in their first game against
Galway, and set themselves up for a crucial win, which virtually
makes them certainties for the quarter finals.

Two goals, the first from a penalty, by Valerie Mulcahy which went
in off the post and another from Deirdre O’Reilly who hit the net
after a brilliant movement when she received a fine pass from Mary
O’Connor, saw Cork lead at the break on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-5.
In that opening half Cork played some superb football. Settled and
composed at the back with Claire O’Donoghue taking over in goals
for an unavailable Elaine Harte. Angela Walsh, her sister Ciara
and Rena Buckley formed a very solid full line. It was the half
back line that shone most, the trio of Linda Barrett, Brid Stack
and Briege Corkery who had her best game for Cork in a long time,
closed down any Galway advances. Norita Kelly and Juliet Murphy
were superb at midfield and the forwards did the rest.

The fluency of movement up front was as good as ever Cork have produced
for a while. Nollaig Cleary was back to the form of last year, at
her running best, while Valerie Mulcahy looked sharp as ever, Mary
O’Connor worked very hard but it was Deirdre ’Reilly who was the
scoring heroine notching 1-4. Geraldine O’Flynn and Laura McMahon
worked very hard without getting on the score sheet. While fresh
from her minor All-Ireland success Amanda Murphy chipped in with
a point when introduced in the 2nd half.

Cork did not maintain the frantic pace of the first half and allowed
Galway into the game in the 2nd half and while Galway kept chipping
in with points Cork got the odd one to keep them well in front.
Galway’s long awaited goal from Edel Concannon, came to late to
affect the final result but it did give the scoreline a bit of respectability.
Cork will be slightly worried about their small return of 4 points
in the 2nd half, but they achieved the success they wanted and that
of course was their primary objective. With the pressure off and
2 points safely in the bag Cork can afford to make changes for their
next game on Sunday against Monaghan where 2 points will guarantee
them a quarter final spot.

Cork scorers. Deirdre O’Reilly 1-4. Valerie Mulachy 1-2, Juliet
Murphy 0-2 Mary O’Connor 0-2. Briege Corkery 0-1, Nollaig Cleary
0-1, Amanda Murphy.

Special deal for clubs for TG4 All-Ireland final Each club will
receive 10 Complimentary tickets upon a group order. Group Rates
( for U16’s) min 10 as follows: €5 per person plus 1 adult @ €5
per group of 10. All group tickets to be booked in advance from
the Office Family tickets 2 adults @ €25 each 2 children @ €5 each.
Normal prices Adults €25 Students / OAP €10 Under 14 € 8 All schools
& clubs that avail of Group Rates will be entered into a prize draw.
1st A full set of gear – jerseys , socks & shorts. 2nd A set of
Jerseys 3rd 10 O’Neills Footballs 4th 5 O’Neill Footballs Counties
where Central receive orders from 10 clubs or more will have those
clubs entered into a separate draw where one club will get cheque
refunded.

Start the planning – hopefully it will be to see a Rebel Treble
Summer School of excellence camps. Beara and Bantry are the venues
this week for the Summer school of excellence camps. Next week Kilmeen
and Clonakilty will be the Venues. Clonakilty Monday July 30th –
Friday August 4th 10am -1pm Kilmeen 2pm-5pm. Rockchapel defeat Beara.
Results Senior Championship Rockchapel 3 – 16 Beara 4 – 4 Junior
A Championship Ballingaery-Inchigeela 4-9 Liscaroll 1-4 Junior League
Semi-Final Valley Rovers 3-11 Dromina 4-4 Junior C Championship
Bride Rovers 8-18 Dromtariffe 1-1