Last weekend was the warmest of the year so far and it was also a great weekend for Cork Ladies’ Football as both the U 16 Ladies and the Senior Ladies progressed to their respective finals in splendid form.

U 16 Munster Semi Final

On Saturday last the U 16 team travelled to New Inn to take on Tipperary on their home turf in the semi final of the Munster Championship. The teams had played each other earlier in the competition with Cork just edging out Tipp in the dying minutes on that occasion.

The game on Saturday was played at a frantic pace with the Tipperary ladies the stronger in the opening quarter but Cork settled and thanks to some well taken scores including two goals were just in front going into injury time in the first half when Tipp struck for a goal to leave them leading at the interval 2 08 to2 06.

Cork re-jigged their team and a fortuitous point early in the half set them on their way. Mid Field took control and distributed the ball well to a very energetic and hard working forward line that punished the opposition repeatedly. Tipp however did not give up scoring some lovely scores from long range but it was two more goals from Cork that finally sealed it with the Lee side ladies winning on a score line 4 12 to 2 12 This was a very good team performance by Cork who appear to have a lot of talent on their bench and are improving with every outing.

East Cork were very well represented with Caragh Byrne (Glanmire) in goals and Sally McAllister (Aghada), Dara Kinery (Lisgoold) solid in the full back line and Aimee Corcoran (Erins Own) controlling the centre back position Rachel Leahy (Aghada) was outstanding at half forward with Olivia McAllen (Glanmire) playing a captains part at centre forward, Leah Hallihan (Bride Rovers) was an extremely effective corner forward and very well ably to score. Ciara Walsh (Carrigtwohill) was introduced just before the break and she was a live wire turning up just about any where scoring a great goal and making several other scores. Ciara O’ Riordan (Rockbán), Aishling McAllen & Orlaith Roche (Glanmire) & Clodagh O’Brien (Fermoy) are also on the Cork panel. We now look forward to another meeting with Kerry in two weeks in the Munster final

Senior Lidl National League Semi Final

The Cork senior ladies faced All Ireland Champions Dublin in Nolan Park on Sunday in the Lidl national league semi final and what a tremendous game it turned out to be. Excitement all the way and end to end football, both sides started brightly and were honours even at the break with Dublin 2 03 to Corks 1-06 Corks goal being scored by Melissa Duggan. The second period was much the same with some fantastic football from both sides but one felt that the Cork ladies wanted it more and chased everything all over the field. However it was all square at full time and the small but enthusiastic crowd was treated to two super periods of extra time with the Lee side ladies taking the day by a single point 1 18 to 2 14 Orla Finn ended with a total of 13 points a great days work but again this was a fantastic outing and hopefully Cork can build on this performance over the Summer they now play Galway in the National League final again in two weeks

Cork Féile

The play offs of the Cork Féile took place over the weekend and it was Eire Óg who won out again defeating Clonakilty in the final.

Well done to both East Corks representatives Midleton and Glanmire who put in some great performances with Midleton reaching the semi Final stage.