Mixed Luck for Cork in Suzuki League

A sturdy Cork performance on Sunday saw them overpower
Roscommon to secure a semi-final spot in the Suzuki
national league. The Rebels’ took their time to
settle and unexpectedly found themselves trailing
by two points in as many minutes which were fired
over by the impressive Stephie Carthy. Captain Juliet
Murphy and Norita Kelly were winning midfield and
eventually their efforts were rewarded as Caoimhe
Creedon opened the scoring for Cork on the sixth
minute. Cork began to dominate four minutes later
Deirdre O’Reilly snuck through to blast the ball
into the net. This opened the floodgates and a sequence
of points followed from Juliet Murphy, Ashling O’Connor,
Sarah O’Connoll and goal scorer O’Reilly.

Defensively Angela and Ciara Walsh held the fort,
intercepting at ease from the scarcely seen Roscommon
forward line and Cork led 2-7 0-3 midway. A string
of goals in the 41, 56 and 58 minute by Murphy,
Creedon and substitute Valerie Mulcahy only emphasised
Cork meant business. Midfielder Natasha Beegan could
only reply with two points for Roscommon and it
wasn’t enough to stall the Leesiders. When the final
whistle blew Cork were without question the worthy
winners of their semi-final place next Sunday. “We
had a slow start but we finished up really well”,
said Juliet Murphy. “Next weekend will be tough
against Waterford as they’re a quality side but
we’ve got to put our heads down for the week now
and focus on the task ahead”. With ex-Cork senior
selector Fr Liam Kelleher as physical trainer for
the Deise side it will be no easy task for the Rebels
but with the attitude they have at the minute, they’re
simply unstoppable.

Scorers for Cork: D O’Reilly 1-3, C Creedon
2-0, G O’Flynn 0-4 (0-3 frees), J Murphy 1-2, A
O’Connor 0-2, V Mulcahy 1-0, R Buckley and S O’Connell
0-1each. Scorers for Roscommon: S Carthy 0-5 (0-2frees)
and N Beegan 0-2.
CORK: E Harte, N Keohane, A Walsh, S O’Connell,
B Stack, C Walsh, B Corkery, J Murphy, N Kelly,
D O’Reilly, A O’Connor, R Buckley, R Curtain, C
Creedon, G O’Flynn. Subs: V Mulcahy for G O’Flynn
(47), E O’Riordan for C Walsh (49), E Walsh for
N Keohane (54) and C O’Donoughue for E Harte (55).

CORK 1-11 LIMERICK 1-12 (AET)   This wasn’t a game for the fainthearted. It had it all. Cork were unquestionably robbed of what should have been an outstanding victory in Sundays division 2 playoff against Limerick in Ballincollig. Little can be said of Corks poor first half performance as they trailed 0-1 1-8 but what was to come will go down in the history books. Half time substitutes Niamh Hickey and Clare Fenton turned the game on its head scoring three points between them with 10minutes gone in the second. What proceeded was inspiration personified as Susan Power and Eleanor Twohig executed two excellent points each to bring Cork within three of the visitors. Annmarie and Annie Walsh were both dominant throughout and on the 20minute the latter launched a high ball into the full forward line, which Fenton gathered and passed to Hickey who fired home a top drawer goal to level the sides1-8 a piece.

Captain Annie Walsh in action for Cork in the Division 2 national league playoff last Sunday against Limerick.

There was no question extra time was inevitable and minutes in Cork trailed 1-9 1-12 but again Susan Power came to the rescue with a cracking point as did Triona Lucey. With time running out the Rebels’ found Power in front of goal who blasted the ball to snatch the vital score but somehow it rebounded off the woodwork. Whilst trying to retrieve the ball she was intentionally tripped and the offence undoubtedly deserving of a penalty was strangely never given. The whistle blew and Cork were robbed, bowing out of the national league for yet another year.  Scorers for Cork: S Power 0-3, N Hickey 1-2 (0-2frees), C Fenton 0-2 (0-1f), E Twohig 0-2, T Galvin and T Lucey 0-1 each. Scorers for Limerick: D O’Brien 0-6 (0-1f), M Keating 0-3, L Higgens 1-0, C Murphy and J Liston 0-1 each. CORK: O Murphy, B Forde, S Buckley, V Power, AM Walsh, R Cogan, B Wiseman, E Cotter, A Walsh, E Twohig, S Power, T Galvin, J Hennessy, T Lucey, C O’Driscoll. Subs: N Hickey for C O’Driscoll and C Fenton for B Forde (HT).

Emma Harrington chases a ball in Sundays division 2 league playoff against Limerick in Ballincollig

U-16’s win Round1 of Munster Championship Limerick were no match for Cork in the first round of the U16 Munster championship on Saturday last. The score line accurately reflects Cork’s dominance and under the captaincy of Vicki Power, had outstanding contributions from Rhona Buckley, Jenny Luddy Ciara & Roisin O’Sullivan, and Linda Barrett. It was a great start to their campaign as they go in search of retaining their All-Ireland title.  GOLF CLASSIC FUNDRAISER Cork ladies football are holding a Golf Classic on Saturday 23 April in Kanturk golf club. The fundraiser is in order to raise funds for a number of areas – club competitions, medals etc. Teams of three are welcome – for more information contact Sharon on 029-58306

Eleanor Twohig chases a ball as Limericks Maebh Nash watchs in the division 2 national league palyoff last Sunday.