Two crucial games for Cork Ladies this weekend

CORK LADIES FOOTBALL

JUNIOR 2nd ROUND MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP

JULY 24 CORK V TIPPERARY @ DONOUGHMORE, 7PM

Recent contests between Cork and Tipp have produced some cracking
games and Saturday nights clash will prove no different in the
second round of the junior Munster championship. Despite a bumpy
league campaign Cork bloomed in their opening game against Kerry
last week. Another win on Saturday will see them closer to a place
in the Munster final in Páirc Ui Rinn on August 15.

Tipperary however are champions for a reason, having denied Limerick
by two points in last years final. They are known for their “gutsy”
style of football and you can be assured Cork won’t have it easy.
Psychologically the Leesiders’ have the advantage however. They
defeated their opponents during the league campaign at the same
venue by a number of points but since then the squad has changed
considerably. Even though this is a factor to be taken into consideration
it will have no bearing on the game, this is due to the experience
new members have brought to the team.

Blathnaid Wiseman, Elaine O’Riordan and Ciara Walsh were instrumental
in the Kerry victory and no doubt they will prove their worth
on Saturday. Up front it’s evident the fit isn’t right yet but
it’s getting there and Tara Galvin and Niamh Hickey will again
provide vital scores. The punters aren’t tipping Cork to be in
the final, on the contrary it’s the visiting team and Limerick
however the Rebels’ have the ability to put a stop to that if
they perform on the night.

Verdict: Cork

CORK: M O’Sullivan (c), M O’Conner, N Kelly, L Harrington, S O’Callaghan,
M White, N Hickey, E Twohig, C O’Driscoll, B Wiseman, T Galvin,
M Rea, M O’Sullivan, A Walsh, A Barrett, C Moran, S O’Connell,
S Forde, L McSweeney, E O’Riordan, T O’Mullane.

SENIOR 2nd ROUND MUNSTER CHAMPIONSHIP

JULY 25 CORK V CLARE @ DOONBEG, 2.30PM

Nothing less than a victory will do for Cork on Sunday, in the
second round of the senior ladies football Munster championship.
A shaky start to the campaign against Kerry slightly derailed
Corks chances of a Munster final spot but only for the time being.
With two games left in the round robin series, wins are needed
to secure a place in the final and a shot at the All-Ireland series.
This doesn’t leave much margin for error and rightly so. If lessons
were to be learnt, they were learnt in Kilorglin last week. The
changes at half time against the Kingdom should have come sooner
but in saying that it’s a lot easier for those sitting in the
stand to see potential switches, than if standing on the sideline.
Either way positional changes are a must if Cork are to keep their
championship chances on target. The switch between centre-back
Angela Walsh and midfielder Juliet Murphy was crucial in holding
Kerry to a solitary point in the second half and repeat tactics
might just do the trick.

Also Amanda Murphy has played half back with the Rebels’ since
the start of the league however she’s a natural forward and perhaps
her abilities would be more beneficial in the forward line. It
will be interesting to see who lines out where on Sunday or if
there’ll be any changes at all. Something will have to adjust
come Sunday, weather it be Corks approach, tactics or frame of
mind because Clare won’t be the pushover they were last year.
A number of experienced players from the 2001 Munster winning
team have returned and with only one game under their belt so
far, have already caused a shock. A draw with Waterford recently
has made those in ladies football circles realise not to rule
out the blue and yellow jerseys, which so many were doing.

They competed in the Division 2 league earlier this year, unlike
Kerry, Waterford and Cork who competed in Division 1 but there’s
no doubt they’ve proved themselves capable of competing at this
level. Although Clare will be the more physical of the two sides,
Cork will look to outpace them with the likes of Briege Corkery,
Cathriona Foley and Nollaig Cleary. Defensively mistakes cannot
be made and Niamh Keohane, Bríd Stack and Rena Buckley are definitely
in good form having played superbly in the minor All-Ireland final
last weekend. A loss would see Corks chances of a Munster final
spot drift away from their grasp and your guaranteed they won’t
let that happen.

Verdict: Cork

CORK: E Harte, N Keohane, B Stack, E Walsh, A Murphy, A Walsh,
R Buckley, J Murphy (c), V Mulcahy, A O’Connor, G O’Flynn, M O’Connor,
R Curtain, B Corkery; C O’Donoughue, H Kelleher, N Cleary, L Power,
K O’Sullivan, C Foley, M Kelly, D O’Sullivan.

Mary White (PRO, Cork Ladies Football)