Cork 6-11 Kerry 1-10

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Cork minor ladies’ football team comprehensively defeated Kerry in the Munster final on Bank holiday Monday to make it eight in a row at this grade in the province

This game was played in Dr Crokes GAA grounds in Killarney and what a beautiful and lovely venue it is with a surface as good as any in the country.

Cork went into this game as slight under dogs having lost out to this Kerry team two years ago at U 16 level but from the outset it was obvious the Lee side ladies were well prepared and up for this task.

Saoirse Noonan pointed in the first minute and it was a start of a player of the match performance from the Nemo girl. She added a goal to this from the penalty spot in the fourth minute and had the ball again in the Kerry net in the sixth to lead 2-1 to no score before Kerry got their first point in the ninth minute. Noonan again goaled from the spot after she was hauled to the ground mid way through the first half.  From the resulting kick out the Kerry ladies had a good goal of their own as they powered their way up the field. This gave the kingdom hope and led by the seriously talented Fiadhna Tangney they closed the gap with some fine points and were it not for some great marking and covering by the Cork backs the gap could have been much closer, as it was Cork raided again and a goal from Rachel Murphy and points from Ciara McCarthy and Sadhbh O’ Leary saw them lead at the interval 4-04 to 1-05

 

Cork continued in the same vain in the second period with a point from Grace Culloty almost from the throw in and a goal from new comer at this grade Laura O’ Mahony in the fourth minute saw them well on their way to victory Kerry battled hard with more fine scores but try as they might they just could not break down the Cork defence. The weather was beautiful but the heat took its toal on both sides with managers introducing the maximum subs but here again the depth of talent available to John Cleary is outstanding with everyone deserving of a start. Noonan finished of the day with another goal in the 56 minute and further points from McCarthy, Cleary and once again Noonan saw them cross the finish line very comfortably on a score line 6-11 to 1-10

Cork now face the Ulster champions on July 15/16 in the All Ireland semi final

 

Well done in particular to the East Cork Girls on the Cork squad.

Sarah Leahy, Christine Moran & Aileen McGrath (Aghada), Sarah Murphy & Grace Culloty (Bride Rovers), Ciara Brennan (Carrigtwohill), Ava Carey & Kate Hannon (Glanmire), Cliona Cronin & Ellen Fitzgerald (Watergrasshill) and Fr Liam Kelleher (Cobh) Selector.

 

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