Finn's 1-5 helps six in-a-row chasing Cork past Galway and into semi

Galway 1-11 Cork 3-12

Darren Kelly in Clonberne 

Two second half goals booked Cork their place in the Lidl National League semi-finals as Galway will need the calculators and possibly scoring difference next week if they are to take a place in the final four. 

An Orla Finn goaled free on eight minutes gave the visitors the initiative as they went 1-6 to 1-4 ahead at half-time.  But Leanne Coen’s Galway injury time major had the Tribeswomen back in contention. 

However, Cork pushed ahead again as a Finn free after the restart was followed by a second goal.  Marie O’Callaghan started the move involving Doireann O’Sullivan and Orlagh Farmer.  But as the opposing rearguard pushed up, O’Callaghan kept going receiving the final pass before rounding Lisa Murphy. 

Cork were six up and maintained a 2-9 to 1-6 lead by 41 minutes as Doireann and Brid O’Sullivan scores cancelled out Galway efforts from Ailbhe Davoren and Tracey Leonard.  But when Leonard added two more and her cousin Roisin Leonard tallied, the margin was just one goal with 10 minutes remaining. 

Brid O’Sullivan responded for Cork before the third goal.  Eimear Scally’s delivery got the slightest of touches from Ciara O’Sullivan to beat Murphy and Cork had their fifth win.  Finn got Cork’s last two points before Olivia Divilly kicked a consolation brace for Galway. 

Finn opened after four minutes before Doireann O’Sullivan made it 0-2 to 0-0 and Galway’s first white flag came afterwards from Coen. But when Finn’s free on eight minutes was dropped over the line by Murphy, Cork had a 1-2 to 0-1 lead they never relinquished. 

Ciara O’Sullivan put five between them before Mairead Seoighe got Galway’s second.  Cork were the better outfit even though Galway were starting to create serious chances and Martina O’Brien was called into an important stop from Aine McDonagh. 

The Clonakilty keeper also produced two top drawer saves from Sarah Conneally and Seoighe before half-time as Doireann and Aine O’Sullivan stretched Cork’s lead to 1-5 to 0-2. 

Seoighe and Tracey Leonard reduced arrears but Galway were wasting chances.  Finn put five between them again before Galway were thrown a lifeline.  Divilly won possession starting an attack.  The ball was won by Seoighe outside the square who found Coen and the Corofin forward mad no mistake. 

However, Cork’s 1-1 after the restart maintained their control before Ciara O’Sullivan’s goal secured the win.  They are into the semi-finals with Dublin while Galway will fight it out with Donegal and Mayo next week for other two spots. 

Scorers –  

Galway: Leanne Coen 1-1, Tracey Leonard 0-4 (two frees), Mairead Seoighe 0-2, Olivia Divilly 0-2, Ailbhe Davoren 0-1, Roisin Leonard 0-1 

Cork: Orla Finn 1-5 (1-4 frees), Ciara O’Sullivan 1-1, Doireann O’Sullivan 0-3, Marie O’Callaghan 1-0, Brid O’Sullivan 0-2, Aine O’Sullivan 0-1 

Teams –  

Galway: Lisa Murphy; Sinead Burke, Sarah Lynch, Charlotte Cooney; Shauna Molloy, Lisa Gannon, Nicola Ward; Aine McDonagh, Leanne Walsh; Olivia Divilly, Tracey Leonard, Ailbhe Davoren; Leanne Coen, Sarah Conneally, Mairead Seoighe.  Subs used: Siobhan Divilly for Walsh (38 mins), Roisin Leonard for Conneally (38 mins), Niamh Daly for Seoighe (43 mins), Deirdre Brennan for Davorean (60 mins). 

Cork: Martina O’Brien; Emma Spillane, Eimear Meaney, Aisling Barrett; Marie O’Callaghan, Melissa Duggan, Shauna Kelly; Brid O’Sullivan, Aishling Hutchings; Ciara O’Sullivan, Doireann O’Sullivan, Orlagh Farmer; Aine O’Sullivan, Eimear Scally, Orla Finn.  Subs used: Laura Cleary for Scally (52 mins), Aisling Kelleher for Barrett (58 mins), Nicole Quinn for D. O’Sullivan (58 mins). 

Referee: Garryowen McMahon (Mayo) 

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