Brilliant Cork hammer Kingdom
MUNSTER MINOR LADIES FINAL
Cork 6-11 Kerry 1-10
WITH a ruthless display of attacking football Cork Minor girls put Kerry to the sword to capture their third Munster title in-a-row on Bank Holiday Monday.
Cork got off to a lightning start with three goals from Saoirse Noonan. Saoirse came into this game with a huge reputation after her exploits in last years campaign and on foot of her recent from with Cork City in the National league.
Her expertise in taking penalties stood her in good stead when two of her four goals came from expertly taken spot kicks slotted home with professional efficiency she also added on four points and was deservedly named player of the match.
But it certainly was not a one person show indeed the entire team including the five replacements and, of course, those who did not make it to the field deserve huge credit for this third Munster title in-a-row.
When you consider that Kerry gave Cork a lesson when both teams played each other in Munster two years ago and Kerry had won the last two All-Ireland under 16 titles. This said the girls have been working together in all kinds of weather since January under the expect coaching of John Cleary and his staff.
As stated Cork thundered into the game from the outset with relentless abandon and a maturity which was a joy to behold, far beyond their tender years. Speaking to Robbie Griffin TG4 analyst after the game he was of the opinion that this was one of the most complete displays of Gaelic football he had ever witnessed and that was praise indeed.
Cork adapted quickly to the Kerry sweeper system moving the ball with speed and precision any system that could have been devised was not going to stop them. It helped as well when, two key players passed a late fitness tests, keeper Sarah Murphy and Ciara McCarthy who went on to win her second minor medal and is minor again next year.
Her midfield partner Nicky Quinn who played herself on to the team, because of her recent form showed great composure. So did her Cork soccer colleague Daire Kiely also making her first start and later her twin sister Eimear who made a fine contribution when introduced.
The full-back line of Katie Horgan Tracy McCarthy and a defiant Clare O’Shea a beautiful high fielder of the ball in a classical fullback role, led their line with utmost efficiency.
Their outside line were equally efficient with Sarah Leahy, Jenny Brew Dinan and inspiring captain Ciara Hughes with the aid of sweeper Dara Kiely irrepressible, ensuring that with the midfielders the forwards got a plentiful supply of quality ball.
Despite Kerry’s perceived master plan to curb, in particular, the full-forward line of Saoirse, Grace Culloty and Sadhbh O’Leary all survivors of last years All-Ireland win, their plan went up in smoke early on and while they had backs of pace to police Grace and Sadhbh they could not curb Saoirse whose deft touches were worth the admission fee alone to watch.
Her final tally of 4-4 with the help of her other colleagues of course, bear testament to this, with the scoring completed by half-forwards Laura O’Mahony a goal, Emma Cleary two points Rachel Murphy a goal , Ciara McCarthy two points and the remainder coming from Sadhbh and Grace, to round off a wonderful victory.
To be fair to Kerry they were gracious in defeat and admitted that there was little they could do to repel the girls in red such was their was their form on this day. Thanks to the local club All-Ireland men’s champions Dr Crokes and the Munster council who had everything in tip top shape.
CORK: Sarah Murphy Bride Rovers, Katie Horgan Knocknagree, Claire O’Shea Beara, Tracy McCarthy Kinsale, Sarah Leahy Aghada, Jenny Brew Dina Donoughmore, Ciara Hughes St Vals Capt. Ciara McCarthy St Vals Nicky Quinn Bandon Laura O’Mahony O’Donovan Rossa, Emma Cleary Eire oG Rachel Murphy Bantry Blues, Daire Kiely Valley Rovers, Saoirse Noonan Nemo Rangers. Grace Culloty Bride Rovers, Sadhbh O’Leary Kinsale. Georgia Gould Carrigaline, Ava Carey Glanmire Ellen Fitzgerald Watergrasshill Eimear Kiely, Valley Rovers, Cliona Cronin Watergrasshill, Aoife Kelleher Douglas, Chloe Collins Dromtariffe, Christine Moran Aghada, Grace Colins Eire oG, Ciara Brennan Carrigtwohill, Ava Looney Knocknagree, Eve Murphy Bantry Blues , Kate Hannon Glanmire, Roisin Duffy Mourneabbey, Juliet Cronin Kinsale, EimearMcAndrew Douglas, Ailen McGrath Aghada, Ciara Ryan Clonakilty, Aisling Ryle Carrigaline Chloe Cottrell Newmarket