Dramatic Opening Weekend of Ladies Championship

 

EAMONN Ryan’s Cork suffered a shock defeat against Kerry in Sunday’s TG4 Munster ladies senior football championship clash in Caherciveen.

The Leesiders lost by 3-8 to 3-10 against the Kingdom in what was a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final.

It was Cork’s first championship defeat since the 2010 All-Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone.

But in a round-robin series in Munster, victory for the Rebelettes against Clare on June 28 would see them back in the hunt for a tenth successive Munster title.

In what was a meeting between the Tesco Homegrown Division 1 and 2 champions, Cork struck an early goal when Rhona Ní Bhuachalla netted.

But Kerry settled and goalkeeper Edel Murphy, despite conceding three goals, had a superb game between the sticks for the Kingdom.

Valerie Mulcahy netted a second goal for Cork but they trailed at half-time by 2-1 to 0-10.

And it was Kerry who edged proceedings in a second half that was pockmarked by four goals – three of them for Kerry.

Two goals from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and another from local girl Megan O’Connell put Kerry in control before Emma Farmer netted in stoppage time for Cork.

Meanwhile, the TG4 Ulster final will be contested by holders Monaghan, chasing a fourth successive provincial crown, and Tyrone.

Monaghan booked their place in another final with a 1-14 to 1-6 victory over Donegal in Donaghmore on Saturday evening.

Caoimhe Mohan’s first half goal helped Monaghan to lead by 1-6 to 0-3 at half-time and Donegal also suffered a blow when Rose Boyle was sinbinned.

Monaghan stretched their advantage with scores from Catriona McConnell and Mohan early in the second half and while Boyle responded with a point, the Farney girls were in complete control as scores from Mohan and Cora Courtney piled on the misery.

Donegal were handed a lifeline when Aisling Cunningham netted but Monaghan hit back in impressive fashion with a string of scores to make the game safe.

They will meet Tyrone in the July 14 decider, after the Red Hands scored a 1-9 to 0-11 victory over Armagh on Sunday evening in Inniskeen.

Former Allstar Cathy Donnelly scored Tyrone’s goal in the 20th minute as the 2010 All-Ireland senior finalists led by 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time.

Donnelly finished as leading scorer for Tyrone with a haul of 1-3, while Caroline O’Hanlon notched 0-4 for Armagh.

This was an encouraging victory for Tyrone’s new joint-managers Paudge Quinn and Brian McGee, who took over the reins recently after Mickey Read left the post by mutual consent.

Tyrone also welcomed back Maura McMenamin and Neamh Woods to the set-up.

And in Leinster, Meath booked their place in the semi-final against Laois with a 2-12 to 1-9 victory over Westmeath at Summerhill GAA grounds. Sinead Coyle scored two goals for the Royal County, who will play the O’Moore County next Sunday.

 

Results:

 

TG4 Ulster ladies SFC semi-finals

 

Tyrone 1-9 Armagh 0-11

Monaghan 1-14 Donegal 1-6

 

TG4 Munster ladies SFC

 

Kerry 3-10 Cork 3-8

 

TG4 Leinster ladies SFC

 

Meath 2-12 Westmeath 1-9.

 

By Jackie Cahill

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