Cork Girls Retain U-16 Munster Title in a Triller
Cork 1-15 Waterford 1-14 (After ET)
The U 16 “A” Ladies’ Football Munster Final between Cork and Waterford played on Saturday in Cahir will go down as the best under age Munster Final in many a long year. It was a shame that there had to be a winner in this contest between two magnificent teams but in the end the reigning champions won out by the narrowest of margins.
From the outset both these sides played some brilliant fast flowing, open football and there was nothing between them until Hannah Power scored a great goal for Waterford mid way through the first half which left them leading at half time by just a single point 1-05 to 0-07.
The high standard continued in the second period with all the skills of ladies’ football on view from both sides. Cork backs soaked up a lot of pressure but just could not keep the Déise girls out as they extended their lead to six points. Playing well in all quarters Waterford looked well on their way to the Munster Crown but never write Cork off. The introduction of Lorraine O Neill seemed to spur the Cork girls on as they hit a purple patch mid way through the half and a great goal from Saoirse Noonan followed by some lovely points levelled the tie. The last few minutes were nail biting stuff for both set of supporters as the sides exchanged score for score and as the full time whistle was blown the score board showed 1-12 a piece.
So extra time beckoned and with all the girls on the field out on their feet both sets of management teams brought in fresh legs from the bench. Cork playing with the aid of a stiff breeze in this first period of extra time made good use of the ball and scored two points from play and a point from a close in free to lead at the break. Waterford battled right to the end and pushed Cork extremely hard but just fell short by a single point with the final score 1-15 to 1-14.
East Cork girls, Niamh Murphy (Erin’s Own), Abby Scannell (Fermoy) and Grace Culloty (Bride Rovers) all got on the score sheet and played very well up against a top class opposition.
Both teams and mentors can be extremely proud as the contributed to a fantastic game and a great advert for the sport of Ladies’ Gaelic Football. Well done and thanks to all concerned. All the girls were superb but Cork backs; Aideen Lynch, Sophie Hurley and Beatrice Casey were rock solid and Grace Culloty, Sadhbh O’Leary, Saoirse Noonan and Lorraine O’Neill impressed me the most up front. It is hard to separate the Waterford girls as they were all equally good – Laura Casey, Laura Stack and both Hannah Power’s were superb but the displays by Kate McGrath, Aoife Murray and Ciara Hurley were outstanding.
Cork Panel
M O’Sullivan (St Vals), E Spillane (Bantry), S Hurley (Bandon), A O’Sullivan (Mourneabbey), B Casey (Boherbue), A Lynch (Bandon), C McCarthy (St Vals), C Hartnett (Douglas), N Murphy (Erin’s Own ), G Culloty (Bride Rovers), L Cleary (Capt Eire Óg), A Scannell (Fermoy), I O Regan (Nemo), S Noonan Nemo), L O’Neill (Clann na Gael), C Moore (Kanturk), A R O’Rourke (Donoughmore), M O’Leary (Eire Óg), C Hughes (St Vals), J Brew Dinan (Donoughmore), D O Connor (Boherbue) N Dennehy (St Vals), K Hannon (Glanmire), G Cahalane (Eire Óg), N Quinn (Bandon), A O’Shea (Michelstown), C Collins (Dromtarriff), C Ryan (Clonakilty), S Hayes (Rosscarbery).
Waterford
R Curran, L Casey, H Power, N Power, R Casey, M Dunford, E Murphy, (Capt), K McGrath, A Murray, A Mullaney, K Murray, L Cusack, E Power, C Hurley, H Power, C Veale, C Fennell, G Heffernan, B Condon, B Norris, B Hogan, E Curran, M Ryan and L Galvin.
The U-16 Competition now takes a break until after exams and our attention will turn to the U-14 and Minor Girls who both play their respective Munster Final s on next Saturday, May 3rd in Castletownroche.
East Cork have a total of nine girls on the U-14 Cork panel with Aghada, Cloyne, Glanmire, Inch Rovers and Watergrasshill clubs represented. There are also seven girls from the East Cork division on the minor panel from Fermoy, Lisgoold, Watergrasshill, Mayfield and Aghada so we wish all concerned the very best of luck.
Well Done To Cork Senior Ladies
Well done to the Cork Senior Ladies who beat Kerry in the semi final of the National league division 1 on Sunday. Final score Cork 3-13 Kerry 3-08 They now go on to meet Dublin in Parnell Park in the final on May 10th
East Cork Ladies Gaelic Football 
