This dream team have achieved everything, but the hunger for more is there

This dream team have achieved everything, but the hunger for more is there.
By Fr Liam Kelleher

In every era there comes along a team who by their exploits can be termed great. There is no doubt that this present bunch of Cork Senior ladies, they have achieved greatness, three All-Ireland titles on the trot, 3 Div League tiles five Munster titles. So what motivates them to seek another title which would make it 4 in a row.? While the 4 in a row is nice, the firm focus will be just one at a time, numbers mean very little at this stage. The questions people will ask: What motivates this medal laden group to seek more silverware? Why do they make such huge sacrifices and continue their dedication and commitment year after year.? The simple answer, is a nice type of pride, because they are happy and enjoy what they are doing. They have forged great friendships, bonds that cannot be broken and a creative desire for excellence. Yet they still hanker for the public support that their underachieving male counterparts enjoy, and this still remains an imponderable mystery. Sure they will have a sizeable following in Croke Park when they take on Monaghan at 4pm on Sunday and they will have a huge TV audience, but they deserve more. Take a close look at the brief profile of each of the girls and you will get a glimpse of their phenomenal achievements.

Powerful players

Elaine Harte has been net minder right through, a young lady who boasts of International Soccer experience. Elaine has achieved every honour in the sport except a coveted All Star award. Her understudy Claire O’Donoghue has been around since her under 14 days when she helped Cork tom under 14, 16 and Minor titles. Ciara Walsh the quietly efficient corner back gets through a phenomenal amount of work virtually unnoticed. Her sister Angela capt of the team at fullback has like Ciara a hugely successful careen in athletics before making the switch to football, I know their dedication having coached them in the sport to win several All-Ireland medals. Angela is a girl of many parts, now teaching in St Augustine’s in Dungarvan. She is so versatile, having played for Ireland in Volleyball and of course has helped Cork to win camogie titles. Her captaincy probably forced her to give the camogie a skip this year. She is a worthy successor to three time capt Juliet Murphy. Linda Barrett has made the corner position her own during the season after recovering from injury she too has come through the ranks and last year was a member of Cork’s minor winning team as well as picking up a Senior medal with ST Mary’s mallow this year. Geraldine O’Flynn is another versatile player who has come through the system, she made her Senior debut for Cork the day after she helped Cork win an under 16 All-Ireland title. Playing at midfield against Clare, who were then Senior Champions she made an instant impact scoring 9 points in Cork’s narrow win. Brid Stack the player of the match in last years final was on the same team and has made the pivotal role her own. Versatile Briege Corkery player of the match in the recent camogie final is another member of that great team, with Norita Kelly back she will likely start in the halfback line and what a place to be and she will be likely to cover every blade of glass in the park, a phenomenal talent. Norita Kelly after a very severe injury should be in line for a starting position, yet another member of that great underage squad. Norita is the unsung heroine down through the years going about her tasks with unceremonious efficiency. What can we say about former capt Juliet Murphy a tremendous visionary with a brain to match, she must be the most complete footballer in the country for the past 5 years. An accomplished Basketball player and national road bowling champion. Nollaig Cleary like Juliet a top class basketball player is back to her swashbuckling best, having had a stormer in the Semi against Tyrone earning her player of the match. Amanda Murphy is the most medal laden footballer in the world, depending on how you count them she has to my knowledge, 17 All-Ireland medals, 4 under 14, 2 under 16 3 minor, 3 Senior 3 National League, 2 Feile with her club Beara and you can Add in 2 Feile skills as well all achieved by the age of 18. The only slot missing is an AllStar award. Mary O’Connor is the most Senior medal bedecked of all she has about half a dozen Senior camogie medals 11 Co Senior medals with Donoughmore and Senior with Inch Rovers. In addition ton her 3 Senior All-Irelands with Cork she has an Intermediate medal garned with Cork in the era which can now be looked upon as the ‘bad old days’. She has the distinction of winning club tiles in camogie and Ladies football in the same year. The football All-Ireland with Donoughmore and the Camogie with Granagh/Ballingarry. You can also add on an Intermediate All-Ireland club medal with Inch-Rovers. The remaining likely forwards to start will be top scorer Valerie Mulcahy who will be glad to be starting after a straight red in the semi-final, Her contribution too has been immense and she has received every major honour in the sport including Junior and Intermediate Club titles with Rockban, a club I was instrumental in founding with her mother Marie. Valerie has played soccer with the Irish universities team at the world student games. A player who was around at underage when Cork did not enjoy much success. Deirdre O’Reilly a player of the same vintage as Valerie is blossoming as a Senior and a lethal forward she has made the corner position secure with some outstanding displays. Amy O’Shea an International Volleyball player an athlete of repute in her younger days has had the horrific experience of recovering from 2 cruciate knee ligament injuries. Has been playing exceptionally well with her Club inch Rovers and with Cork this year. She received a nasty injury recently and fingers crossed she will be fit to take her place on Sunday. She has Junior and All-Ireland Intermediate medals with Rockban and must be only player to win a 2nd Intermediate with her present club Inch Rovers. Sinead O’Reilly like her sister has been part of the furniture for many years, would be unfortunate to miss out on a starting place as would Rena Buckley, Rena was away for the Summer and returned to help Cork win the camogie but it is in the hands of the selectors what role she will play on Sunday. The only girl to miss out through injury will be Laura McMahon while some of the newcomers will be pressing hard for place after showing exceptional form in training. The likes of sisters Roisin and Ciara O’Sullivan and Rhona Buckley who have come through the ranks with under 14,16, and minor All-Ireland medals. Sile Johnson player of the match in last years All-Ireland minor final and who starred in Cork’s Senior B win last Saturday as did player of the match Aine Sheehan who scored 8 points and Louise Cohalan. Annie and AnnMarie Walsh Fiona Crowley. New manager who took over from Mary Collins is fortunate to have such an indepth squad available and enigmatic Coach and father figure Eamon Ryan ahs been there done that will have left no stone unturned with his meticulous preparation allied with the wisdom of Frankie Honohan and new kids on the block Justin McCarthy who of course had plenty of underage experience with Cork and Inch Rovers guru Noel O’Connor. Team and management a team for all seasons and these are all the reasons why Cork should triumph on Sunday despite Monaghans tremendous showing against Mayo in their Semi-Final win.

 

Cork Profiles

 

Name: Elaine Harte
Club: Rockban

Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 27

Occupation: Sales and Marketing executive

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 1 junior and intermediate All-Ireland club, 1 junior B county, 1 interprovincial medal, 2 All Star Nominee.

 

Name: Linda Barrett

Club: Donoughmore

Position: Back

Age: 18

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 1 U-14, 1 U-14 blitz, 2 U-16, 1 minor,1 Senior All-Ireland medals, 5 senior county medals, 5 Munster A club medals, 5 Munster B club medals, 2 senior All-Ireland Club, junior and senior county and Munster school medals. 1 All-Ireland Schools medal 1 National League Medal.

 

Name: Angela Walsh

Club: Inch Rovers

Position: Back

Age: 21

Occupation: PE Teacher

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 3 TG4 All Star ’05,06,07 1 U-18 All-Ireland, 1 intermediate All-Ireland club, 2 O’Connor Cup medals, 2 College All Stars 2006 & 2007, 1 International Rules medal, 1 County & Munster club medals

 

Name: Briege Corkery

Club: St. Valentines

Position: Back

Age: 21

Occupation: Stone Mason

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 2 TG4 All Star, 1 U-14, 1 U-16, 2 U-18 All-Irelands, 1 intermediate Munster club, 1 junior school All-Ireland.

 

Name: Geraldine O’Flynn

Club: Rockchapel

Position: Back

Age: 21

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 2 U-14, 1-U16, 2 U-18 All-Irelands, 1 O’Connor Cup medal, 1 Basketball school All-Ireland, 1 interprovincial medal, 1 All Star Nominee.

 

Name: Brid Stack

Club: Rockchapel

Position: Back

Age: 21

Occupation: PE Teacher

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 1 U-14, 1 U-16, 2 U-18 All-Irelands, All Star nominee ’06,TG4 All Star 07 1 junior and intermediate All-Ireland club, 1 O’Connor medal.

 

Name: Sinead O’Reilly
Club: Rockchapel

Position: Back

Age: 26

Occupation: National School Teacher

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 junior and intermediate All-Ireland club, 1 minor Munster, 1 minor and U-21 county medals, Munster Snr Player of the Year 2005.

 

Name: Juliet Murphy

Club: Donoughmore

Position: Midfield

Age: 28

Occupation: Gym Owner

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 2 TG4 All Star 06,07. 2 snr All-Ireland club, 5 Munster club, 12 county titles, 5 Munster B club.

 

Name: Norita Kelly

Club: Rockchapel

Position: Midfield

Age: 22

Occupation: Trainee Accountant

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 1 International rules medal, 1 junior Munster medal, 1 U-14, 1 U-16, 2 U-18 All-Irelands, All Star nominee ’05 & ’06, 1 junior and intermediate All-Ireland club, 1 O’Connor medal, 1 Vocational schools All-Ireland, various county medals.

 

Name: Nollaig Cleary

Club: Gabriel Rangers

Position: Forward

Age: 26

Occupation: National School Teacher

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 junior Munster, 1 junior All-Ireland club, 2 New York c’ships, TG4 All Star ’06, Lucozade Player of the Month, 1 basketball Super league, 1 National cup Basketball medal.

Name: Laura MacMahon
Club Roscarrbery

Position: Forward

Age:20

Occupation: Student

Achievements:Junior C , B, A county league, minor B county 1 All Ireland Senior Medal 07, 1 National league Medal.

 

 

Name: Deirdre O’Reilly

Club: Rockchapel

Position: Forward

Age: 24

Occupation: Fitness Instructor

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 1 TG4 All Star, 1 junior and intermediate All-Ireland club, 1 minor Munster, 2 New York c’ships, 1 North American c’ship.

 

Name: Valerie Mulcahy

Club: Rockban

Position: Forward

Age: 25

Occupation: PE Teacher

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 3 TG4 All Stars, 1 junior and intermediate All-Ireland club, 1 U-21 county, 1 O’Connor Cup medal, Texaco Sportstar award, Vodafone Player of the Year 2005, Jury’s Sport Star of the month, Corkman Supreme Sport Star award, 1 International soccer cap.

 

Name: Mary O’Connor

Club: Inch Rovers

Position: Forward

Age: 30

Occupation: Camoige Development Officer

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league medals div 1, 2 & 3, 1 junior and Intermediate All-Irelands, 1 TG4 All Star, 11 senior county medals, 6 Munster club, 1 Intermediate club All-Ireland.

 

 

Name: Claire O’Donoghue

Club: Beara

Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 21

Occupation: Quantity Surveyors Office

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 4 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 U-14, 1 U-16, 2 U-18 All-Irelands, 1 Feile All-Ireland medal, various underage county medals.

 

Name: Rena Buckley

Club: Donoughmore

Position: Back

Age: 21

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 1 Nat league div 2, 3 TG4 All Star, 1 U-14, 1-U16, 2 U-18 All-Irelands, 2 U-14, 2 U-16, 3 U-18 Munster medals, 2 senior All-Ireland club, 6 county and Munster club titles.

 

.

 

Name: Amanda Murphy

Club: Beara

Position: Forward

Age: 18

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 3 Nat league div 1, 4 U-14, 3 U-16, 2 U-18 All-Irelands, 3 Feile All-Irelands, 1 All Star nominee, 11 county titles, Munster U-16 Player of the Year 2005, Irish Examiner Player of the Year 2006.

 

Name: Ciara Walsh

Club: Inch Rovers

Position: Back

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 3 All-Ireland senior medals, 5 Munster senior medals, 1 junior Munster, 3 Nat league div 1, U-14, U-16, U-18 All-Irelands, 1 intermediate All-Ireland club, junior A county, 1 All Star Nominee. 1 County & Munster Club 07

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Rhona Buckley / Rhona Ni Bhuachalla

Club: Inchigeela / Beal Athan Ghaorthaidh

Position: Forward

Age: 17

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 2 U-14, 2 U-16, 1 minor All-Ireland medals, 7 Munster medals U-14, U-16, U-18, 4 V.E.C. county medals, 1 junior county club, 3 All-Ireland blitz, 4 underage county medals. 1 All Senior Medal 07, 1 National League Medal

 

 

.

 

Name: Amy O’Shea

Club: Inch Rovers

Position: Forwards

Age: 25

Occupation: PE Teacher

Achievements: Junior , Intermediate county , munster, and All Ireland club medals Senior Medal 07, 1 National League Medal.

 

Name: Anne Marie Walsh

Club: Inch Rovers

Position: Forward

Age: 22

Occupation: Trainee Accountant

Achievements: 1 junior Munster medal, 1 intermediate All-Ireland club, junior A county. 1 Senior A & B All Ireland medals 07, 1 County & Munster Club Medals 07, 1 National League Medal

 

Name: Fiona Crowley

Club: St. Valentines

Position: Back

Age: 24

Occupation: I.T Technician

Achievements: 1 Munster junior medal, 1 Munster and county intermediate club medal, CMP/CIT Sports Award 2001, Munster colleges Medal 2001. 1 Senior Medal 07, 1 National League Medal.

 

Name: Annie Walsh

Club: Inch Rovers

Position: Midfield

Age: 22

Occupation: BankOfficail

Achievements: 1 All lreland Senior B 07, 1 County and Munster club medals 07, 1 intermediate all lreland club 06, 1 munster junior medal 05, 1 National League Medal.

 

Name: Ciara O Sullivan

Club: Mourneabbey

Position: Midfield

Age 17

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 1 club Junior. Intermediate Club AII Ireland, 1 Senior Schools All Ireland, : 2 U-14, 2 U-16, 1 minor All-Ireland medals, 7 Munster medals U-14, U-16 Minor. 1 National League Medal.

 

Name:Roisin O Sullivan

Club: Mourneabbey

Position: Midfield

Age; 18

Occupation: Student

Achievements: 1 club Junior. Intermediate Club AII Ireland, 1 Senior Schools All Ireland, : 2 U-14, 2 U-16, 1 minor All-Ireland medals, 7 Munster medals U-14, U-16 Minor. 1 National League Medal.

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