Mixed Fortunes For Cork Teams

Mixed fortunes for Cork teams last Saturday in Castletownroche as the under 14s were beaten by Kerry but the Minors were victorious over Tipperary.

Munster U-14 Final          Kerry 3-12  Cork 3-07

Kerry U-14 girls put an end to Cork’s reign as Munster and All Ireland Champions when they comprehensively defeated them in the Munster final in Castletownroche on Saturday last.  The sides were level on three occasions in the first half but Kerry got a decisive goal almost on the stroke of half time to see them lead by 2-04 to 0-7.

Kerry started the second period as they had finished the first adding five unanswered points to leave Cork with a mountain to climb.  The Lee siders never really got going but battled hard and scored three goals of their own.   Kerry’s superiority, great team play and their hunger for victory saw them well over the line with a five point margin.

East Cork girls on the Cork Panel.

Cliona Cronin & Ellen Fitzgerald    ( Watergrasshill), Fay Cahill (Cloyne), Aileen McGrath & Sarah Leahy (Aghada), Annaliese Murphy, Megan Smith & Lucy Cashman (Glammire), Rose Goggin (Inch Rovers) & Becky Opperman (Erin’s Own)

 

Munster Minor Final   Cork 4-07 Tipperary 2-09

Cork Minor ladies retained their Munster crown for a fifth year with a four point victory over a very strong Tipperary team in a game that also took place in Castletownroche on Saturday.  This game was played at a frantic pace by two very fit and enthusiastic teams.  Cork led at the break after Eimear Scally netted twice and Saoirse Moore also scored a great goal.  Tipperary scored six scores in the first period but trailed at the break 3-02 to 1-05.

The second half was again played at a hectic pace with the Tipp girls putting it up to the reigning champions.  Both sides scored further goals, Cork’s from the boot of Mairead Corkery and Tipperary’s by Aisling McCarthy from the penalty spot.   The last few minutes saw end to end football but it was to be Cork’s day and they won out on a score line 4-07 to 2-09.

The Player of the Match was awarded to Eimear Scally of Cork but I felt we saw probably five or six of the top Minor lady footballers in the country on Saturday – Aishling Maloney, Brid Condon and Aishling McCarthy for Tipp and Marie Ambrose, Saoirse Moore and Eimear Scally for Cork were all outstanding – with the rest of both teams not very far behind.

Cork now advance to the All Ireland semi final where they will play the Ulster champions and Tipp play the Minor “B” Munster final on Saturday next against Waterford.

East Cork Girls on the Cork Panel

Caoilinn Hickey (Lisgoold), Aoife Heffernan, Elaine Carey (Watergrasshill), Saoirse Moore (Fermoy), Shauna Cronin (Mayfield), & Hannah Looney (Aghada)