23 September 2003 Corks All-Ireland Minor win, no Minor achievement Share this Article 0 0 0 Shares! 0 Shares! Corks All-Ireland Minor win, no Minor achievement By Fr. Liam Kelleher Cork 1-15 Mayo 3-5. When the history of Ladies football is being written in years to come the winning of the All-Ireland minor Championship by Cork will rank very high in the list of achievements In Perfect conditions at Birr on Saturday last in magnificent game of football Cork scored an exciting 4 point win over Mayo in the All-Ireland Minor final. Cork had to do it the hard way after dominating the opening 15 minutes they missed several scoring opportunities and had just 4 points on the scoreboard while Mayo scored a point with the their only attack Perhaps the main reason for this was 3 players were drafted into the forward line and they had not played together for any of the games leading up to the final. A good team shows its true colours in times of adversity, Cork forced to line out without 3 of their top forwards, two members of the camogie panel, Briege Corkery and Catriona Foley were not released, while Kareina Richards travelled that day to Macedonia to play with the Irish under 18 soccer team. Player of the match receives her award from Geraldine Giles Cork Captain Brid Stack with the cup The strong tackling Mayo defence snuffed the main danger in the Cork attack and with Paula Fitzgerald at fullback and Heather Jordan in the corner dominating the scene the usually prolific scorer Sheila Burns was held scoreless. The strength of Aisling Barrett won her a lot of possession and was very unlucky when she burst clean through and it took a timely goal line clearance to deny her. Marie ONeill missing her regular partners did not function as she normally does, so Cork looked in a bit of trouble. Laura Power did show flashes of her undoubted ability which would later blossom in an intriguing 2nd period. In the 2nd quarter the game changed around dramatically when Mayo ran at the Cork defence and scored 2 stunning goals through Emma Mullin and Maeve Ann 0Reilly before the break to give them a goal advantage. Tremendous courage Cork showed tremendous courage in the 2nd half, the teams traded points early on through Emma Mullan and Geraldine OFlynn, OFlynn added another with her midfield partner Norita Kelly doing likewise, then Marie ONeill struck for a point Fourteen minutes into the half came the vital goal came for Cork when through sheer tenacity Laura Power won back possession and sent it to the net, after a mistake by the keeper. Cork were now ahead and points from Marie ONeill, Angela Walsh and Geraldine OFlynn increased that lead to 4 points. Mayo struck again for another goal from Anette Gallagher when the Cork defence was caught napping and it was all to play for again. The Cork Management team Slowly but surely Cork ground out the vital points and despite intense Mayo pressure held out for a tremendous win. Cork can thank their capt Brid Stack, their outstanding half back line of Rena Buckley, Angela Walsh later named player of the match, and Niamh Keohane. Norita Kelly and Geraldine OFlynn got the better of the midfield exchanges, while the forward line who failed to function in the first half came more into the game in the 2nd half with Laura Power, Marie ONeill finding their form, The tenacious defending of Mayo kept Cork at bay for long periods. But indeed every member of the panel played their part in this huge performance. It came as a huge relief when efficient ref Christy Haughney blew the final whistle, there were joyous scenes with all involved with this committed bunch delighted that they had triumphed in such exciting fashion. The team Line-up Since the new Millennium has begun Cork have taken 4 All-Ireland under 14 titles in a row, the under 16 tile last year and now the Minor title with the same 4 mentors involved in all the successes. Fr Liam Kelleher Manager, Charlie McLaughlin Coach, Sheila Quinlan and Christy OSullivan Selectors. The main topic of conversation in Cork Ladies Football now centres on the fact that Cork have never won a Munster title not alone an All-Ireland title. With 12 of the Minors actually playing on the senior team that lost to eventual Munster title winners Kerry in the Munster Semi-Final, Senior success should be imminent but it cannot be guaranteed. Hopefully those who have guided Corks fortunes in those amazing successes will be given a vote of confidence to continue. The one disappointing feature of last Saturdays game was that Cork supporters were outnumbered by Mayo by at least 4 to one. The general public in Cork must get behind this gifted and talented bunch of players who are keeping Cork football at the forefront at National level. They have shown huge commitment down through the years and during the current campaign training for which began way back in December Action from the game Cork scorers: Geraldine 0Flynn 0-6 ,4f. Marie ONeill 1-4. Laura Power 1-1 Angela Walsh 0-1, Rena Buckley o-1. Norita Kelly 0-1 Mayo Scorers: Emma Mullin 1-2, Maeve Ann OReilly 1-1 Anette Gallagher 1-0 Edel Colleran 0-2 Cork: Claire ODonoghue, Edel OSullivan, Brid Stack capt, Elaine ORiordan, Rena Buckley, Angela Walsh, Niamh Keohane, Geraldine OFlynn, Norita Kelly, Laura Power, Marie ONeill, Tara Galvin, Laura OMahony, Sile Burns, Aisling Barrett, Louise Holland, Aine Murphy, Gearoidin Kearney, Ciara OSullivan, Claire Conway. Niamh Canty Orla Murphy. Lisa McSweeny. Mayo: Aisling Concannon, Heather Jordan, Paula Fitzgerald, Aisling Farrell, Caroline McGing, Patricia Moran, Crea Rouse, Rachel Nolan, Edel Colleran, Trina McNicholas, Maeve Ann OReilly, Annette Gallagher, Emma Mullin, Kelly Colleran, Sharon Mahon. Emma Galligan, Aine Clarke, Louis Collins, Patricia Jordan, Caroline McAndrew, Marie McGing, Fiona McHale, Aileen McNicholas, Therese Omelette, Lisa OBrien, Michelle Ruane, Noelle Tierney. Share this Article 0 0