Sharon O’Keeffe R.I.P

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CORK LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION 

 

16th December 2021

 

On behalf of the Cork Ladies Football board, I wish to offer our sincerest condolences to Michael John, Sarah, Daniel, Gavin, grandson Jack, parents, extended family and friends on the sad and untimely passing of Sharon O’Keeffe.

 

I got to know Sharon back in 2001, when we both served on the North Cork Board. Sharon held the positions of Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and PRO of the board, before going on to serving on the Cork County Board. There she served as Secretary from 2001-2008 and returned to that position again when I became Chairperson in 2012. I am very indebted to her for her help at that time. Sharon also held the position of Development Officer in 2004 and she was PRO from 2007-2011. Sharon was also very involved in the organising and running of the Cailíní na nÓg teams.

 

At all times Sharon gave 100% to every aspect of the Cork LGFA and in no small way contributed to the great success that Cork enjoyed during those years. While doing all this work at County level Sharon was still very involved with her own club Dromtarriffe and while also raising a young family. Sharon was no doubt a great support to her husband Michael John in his refereeing, taking time to umpire for him at many a game.

 

Sharon’s untimely passing will leave a big void in her local community and I know how well respected and treasured she was there. Indeed Ladies football will be at a loss for her passing. If GAA & Ladies football is up and running in the next life I have no doubt Sharon O’Keeffe will be involved.

 

Nelius Carroll, Chairperon, Cork LGFA

2021 County Final

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Tickets for the Senior A Club Championship Final 2021

Éire Óg V Mourneabbey

Friday the 12th of November at 7.30pm

Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Adults €10

Students & O.A.P’s €5

Under 16s Free no ticket required.

Click on link below to purchase tickets.

https://www.universe.com/events/cork-lgfa-senior-a-club-championship-final-tickets-9R7T26

 

Clonakilty Food Co. three-year sponsorship deal

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Clonakilty Food Co. welcomes Cork LGFA to the family with three-year sponsorship deal

Clonakilty Food Co. announce three-year partnership with U-14, U-16 and U-18 Cork Ladies Gaelic Football teams and sleeve sponsorship of the Senior Cork Ladies Gaelic Football team.

 

18th May 2021: Clonakilty Food Co., the West Cork family run business and makers of Clonakilty Blackpudding, today announced their sponsorship of Cork LGFA’s Underage Championship teams. Their three-year partnership incorporates the sponsorship of Cork LGFA’s three Championship underage sides the U-14, U-16 and U-18, Football Development Academies, Summer Camps and sleeve sponsor of the Senior Cork Ladies.

Previous underage Cork LGFA Championship representatives Katlyn Sheehan (Glanmire; East Cork LGFA Division), Lia Heffernan (St Mary’s; North Cork LGFA Division), Liadh McMahon (St Vals; Mid Cork LGFA Division) and Millie Condon (Clonakilty; West Cork LGFA Division) came to the home of Clonakilty Food Co. in Clonakilty town to mark the occasion alongside Clonakilty Food Co. MD and owner, Colette Twomey.

Clonakilty Food Co. is a proud Cork business with strong community ties, their Blackpudding was first made in Clonakilty West Cork almost 150 years ago. Since the Twomey family took responsibility for the Blackpudding and its secret spice recipe in the 1970’s, its popularity has continued to grow in Ireland and now around the world. Over the years they have extended their product offering to include Clonakilty Whitepudding, Sausages, Rashers and most recently Veggie Pudding.

Colette Twomey, MD and Co-Founder, Clonakilty Food Co. said “Clonakilty is not just a brand it is a family – from the people who work with us every day, to the local community from where our story began, to the many families across the county and country who enjoy our quality products.

We are delighted for Cork LGFA to join our extended family and to offer our support to players and their coaches in reaching their full potential at club and inter-county level. They are, after all, the senior county stars of the future.

Above all, we want to play our part in fostering and facilitating the underage Ladies Gaelic players to continue and develop their love of sport, and to celebrate the joy in taking part.”

Brian Cotter, Cork LGFA said “Over the last two decades Cork Ladies Football has become one of the most successful entities in Irish Sport. Much like Clonakilty Food Co. from humble beginnings we have both flourished through hard work and staying true to our core values to becoming instantly recognisable brands both within and outside our areas of expertise. We are excited to partner with Clonakilty Food Co. as we move to a new chapter of our Underage Championship programme and look to a successful future”

 

Picuture: Cathal Noonan

Statement from Cork LGFA re Underage All Ireland Series

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Press Release by Cork LGFA Executive

on the refusal by LGFA to hold underage All Irelands

 

We, the Cork LGFA Executive Committee wish to voice our total dismay at the LGFA’s decision to refuse to hold underage All Irelands at U-14, U-16 & U-18 for the coming season.

On the back of what has been an incredibly difficult time for all young people nationally, instilling a sense of hope and the promise of a brighter day was the only thing that kept many young people’s spirits up, the LGFA has offered a crushing blow to the dreams of young girls across the Country.

In a week where we should be rejoicing on the news that Ladies Football will receive, equal government funding, increased television coverage of our games, increased access to GAA County Stadia to showcase these games and milage expenses for our players, we are still left to fight discrimination not from outside but most alarmingly from within our own association.

The reasoning that the LGFA cite for not conducting these competitions have absolutely no credibility.

  1. Exams

Firstly, the exams only affect Minors in 2021 so these do not affect the U-14 or U-16 age group. Boys also sit the leaving cert and the GAA are holding their All Ireland.  Are we saying a girl is less equipped to handle both? What message is this sending to our girls?

  1. Club v County

Underage Inter County has always run in tandem with club games and a way to co-exist has always been found. Accepted this year is a shortened one, but not so much so that it cannot be done if the will exists.

  1. Underage girls playing Adult or being away in college.

Again, this does not affect under the U-14 age group and only a small number of U-16 players would be affected. With the timeline that the LGFA has given Provincial Boards to complete its programme of games, the Underage Inter County season would be completed prior to the commencement of the Adult club championships and the opening of Third level institutions, therefore the point is completely redundant.

  1. Parents/players don’t want it

The LGFA quotes anecdotal evidence that Parents are reluctant to allow their daughters to return to Inter County Football. We challenge the LGFA to show any evidence of this. If the feedback we have received from parents, players, coaches is anything to go by these groups are devastated by its cancellation.

In fact, petitions are springing up countywide by young girls to re instate these games. One has been set up by a Cork Minor which we have happily signed and shared with our clubs to do likewise

We call on The LGFA to poll its county boards, county managers and its members in general, (none of whom were consulted before this decision was taken) and see what they want.

Other sporting bodies who faced criticism lately due to unpopular decisions did just this and democracy won out as it should.

 

5 Public Health and safety

NPHET, The Irish Government and all relevant health agencies have deemed the return to play for underage Inter county to be appropriate, all other sporting bodies including the GAA, and Camogie have embraced this stance but the LGFA seem to think differently.

Are our girls more fragile, more susceptible, less equipped to deal with things than their brothers and sisters playing is other sports are?

What message are we sending out ….? You are Less, You are Weaker.

We will drive young girls away from our sport. How quickly we forget the message of 20×20.

Already 75 girls in Cork alone have pulled out of trials at U-16 and U-18 since this announcement, Coincidence? unlikely.

 

 

 

In its email to county boards the LGFA states that

“It is essential to note that players are getting the opportunity to represent their counties throughout the provincial championship IF THEY SO WISH, and it is ONLY the All-Ireland stages, semi-finals, and finals, that are not taking place which would ONLY involve four teams at each grade A and B across Under 14, 16 and 18 level.”

Using that logic, we should cancel the Senior Championship as ONLY 4 teams will qualify for the Semi-finals. If it’s ONLY affecting so few teams, should it not be easy to complete?

Cork have suggested, with the provincial finals due to be completed by the end of August, that the All-Ireland semi-finals could take place the first Wednesday in September with the finals played the same weekend as the Senior finals on 4th/5th September (when club games may not be played anyway).

Playing the All Ireland underage championship would entail ONE extra week, TWO games maximum per player, resulting in goodwill being restored and a fantastic weekend for Ladies football leading into the start of the county club championships. Having said all of this, we are open to any and all solutions. These girls would play Christmas day if they were asked.

In a time when women in sport must fight for every inch of equality and are beginning to gain ground bit by bit, this is a slap in the face to the many players, parents and volunteers who drive the cause of equality forward.

What message are we sending to these girls?

You are too weak to handle the multiple facets of life, but a boy can.

Your drive to succeed and achieve is admirable but not equal to that of a boy.

The young footballers in Cork and we are sure those throughout the island of Ireland refuse to accept this and implore the LGFA to engage with its membership and reverse this decision that has dashed the hopes and dreams of thousands of young girls nationwide.

LET OUR GIRLS PLAY.

 

On behalf of the Cork LGFA Executive

FOUR-in-a-row for Dublin – or Cork’s first title since 2016?

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All will be revealed at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon, as the two counties contest the 2020 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Final.

Dublin are aiming for a fifth title in all (2010 was their breakthrough success), while Cork were winners 11 times between 2005 and 2016.

Between them, Cork and Dublin have carved up the last 15 All-Ireland Senior title wins – and that run will extend to 16 as the old rivals lock horns once again on the big day.

Dublin and Cork met first in a Senior Final in 2009, won by Cork, and they contested three successive Finals in 2014, 2015 and 2016, all three of those won by Cork also.

Dublin finally broke that hoodoo with a 2018 Final victory over the Leesiders, and followed up with another notable Croke Park success last year, when the Sky Blues won the clash between the counties at the semi-final stage.

Both sides have shown good form en route to another Final meeting. Cork scored a crucial group victory over Munster rivals Kerry to kick-start their campaign, before Áine Terry O’Sullivan’s hat-trick of goals helped Ephie Fitzgerald’s side to a 7-9 to 2-6 win against Cavan, to book a slot in the semi-finals.

At Croke Park last time out, Cork went through the gears against Galway, nine points from Orla Finn, and goals from Ciara O’Sullivan and Melissa Duggan sending them through to the Final.

Finn is out in front as Cork’s leading scorer with 1-17, followed by Saoirse Noonan (3-4), Áine Terry O’Sullivan (3-3), team captain Doireann O’Sullivan (0-8), and sister Ciara (1-4).

In total, Cork have had nine different scorers in Championship 2020, collecting a total of 10-40, and conceding 2-33 along the way.

Dublin, in contrast, have bagged 5-43 in their three matches to date, while conceding 6-28, three of those goals against Armagh in the recent semi-final.

Dublin’s 3-13, including 2-4 for Carla Rowe, was good enough for victory against the Orchard County, who deposited 3-8 at Kingspan Breffni.

That five-point winning margin was Dublin’s biggest in the Championship, as they got past Donegal in the opening round by three, before seeing off Waterford by four.

Captain Sinéad Aherne has been led the way with a total of 1-13, followed by Rowe (2-7), Noelle Healy (1-5), Nicole Owens (1-0) and Sarah McCaffrey (0-3).

Dublin have the ability, however, to contribute scores from so many areas of the pitch, with 15 different players on the scoreboard over the course of three games.

It was Dublin’s ability to score goals – two of them – that proved the difference at Croke Park in the 2019 semi-final.

Cork, with ten green flags to date, will feel that they will need to get more on Sunday in an attempt to topple the Champions.

Just two counties in the history of the Senior Championship have claimed four successive titles during winning runs – Cork and Kerry – and Dublin, appearing in a seventh straight Final, have the chance to join that elite band.

There’s one change for Dublin from the semi-final victory over Armagh – with Niamh McEvoy replacing Sarah McCaffrey.

Cork are unchanged from the team that accounted for Galway at the semi-final stage.

Cork (v Dublin): M O’Brien; E Meaney, R Phelan, S Kelly; M Duggan, A Hutchings, E O’Shea; M O’Callaghan, H Looney; E Kiely, C O’Sullivan, O Finn; Á O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan (capt.), S Noonan.

Dublin (v Cork): C Trant; M Byrne, N Collins, A Kane; L Caffrey, S McGrath, S Goldrick; L Magee, J Dunne; N Healy, L Davey, C Rowe; S Aherne (capt.), N McEvoy, N Owens.

Referees announced for 2020 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate & Senior Finals

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THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association has announced the match referees for the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate and Senior Championship Finals, to be played at Croke Park on Sunday, December 20.

Carlow’s Jonathan Murphy will take charge of the Senior Final between Cork and Dublin (3.30pm), while Kerry’s Seamus Mulvihill will oversee the Intermediate decider between Meath and Westmeath (1.15pm), with the Croker double-header live on TG4.

Both referees will now have the opportunity to complete the set of TG4 All-Ireland Finals.

Jonathan Murphy refereed the 2016 Junior decider between Longford and Antrim, and he was the man in the middle for last year’s Intermediate Final between Tipperary and Meath.

Seamus Mulvihill took charge of the 2015 All-Ireland Junior Final between Louth and Scotland, before he refereed the 2017 Senior decider between Dublin and Mayo.

From the St Mullin’s club in Carlow, Murphy’s refereeing career began in 2008 at local level and he completed the LGFA’s Accelerate programme in 2013, to join the National panel in 2014.

Among Murphy’s 2020 assignments were the Cavan v Kerry and Armagh v Mayo Senior Championship group fixtures.

Commenting on his appointment, Murphy said: “I’m absolutely delighted, not just for me, but also for my team officials, because this is very much a team effort.

“I’m expecting a hugely competitive game between Cork and Dublin, two teams renewing old rivalries and who have shown excellent form on their way to the Final.”

From the St Senan’s men’s club, and the Finuge/St Senan’s Ladies Football club, Seamus Mulvihill, who is also a member of the men’s National Refereeing panel, began his refereeing career 22 years ago, and he graduated to the LGFA’s National Panel in 2013, having come through the Accelerate programme.

Mulvihill took charge at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in January when the Cork Senior Ladies made history by playing at the famous Leeside venue for the very first time, against Westmeath in Division 1 of the Lidl National League.

Among Mulvihill’s other notable 2020 assignments were the Intermediate Championship group fixture between Clare and Kildare, the Cork v Cavan Senior Championship group match, and last Sunday’s Senior semi-final between Cork and Galway at Croke Park.

The LGFA has also confirmed that Mayo’s Garryowen McMahon is the stand-by referee for the Senior Final, with Galway’s Shane Curley named as 4th official.

The Intermediate Final stand-by referee is Wexford’s Barry Redmond, with Galway’s John Devlin to act as 4th official on the day.

Cork dominate Galway to qualify for All-Ireland Senior Final date with Dubs.

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Cork 2-17

Galway 0-13

By ANTHONY NEWMAN

Melissa Duggan and Ciara O’Sullivan scored first-half goals as Cork qualified for a TG4 All-Ireland Senior Final against champions Dublin following this comprehensive performance against Galway.

With the game switched from Parnell Park to Croke Park at short notice due to an unplayable pitch at the Donnycarney venue, it was Cork that bossed the first-half and Duggan’s seventh minute goal put them on the road to victory.

Tracey Leonard tried her best to keep Galway in touch, but when Ciara O’Sullivan raced through the centre to score Cork’s second goal 12 minutes from the interval, it was a long road back for Galway.

Orla Finn kicked nine points for Ephie Fitzgerald’s side, who were never in danger of losing this game, despite the efforts of Mairéad Seoighe and substitute Andrea Trill for Galway.

Galway took the lead in the second minute when Tracey Leonard scored from a free, having missed a similar effort 30 seconds earlier.

Cork soon equalised with Finn scoring her first free, but with seven minutes gone they took the lead. It came through a combination many wouldn’t have expected as a brilliant run from wing back Erika O’Shea – which started in her own half – played in another half-back Duggan and she cooly slotted to the net.

Leonard pulled a point back from another free, but two scores from Ciara O’Sullivan and another Finn free, saw Cork lead 1-3 to 0-2 at the water break.

Within a minute of the restart Cork had their second goal, as their pressure on the Galway kick-outs began to tell. Áine Terry O’Sullivan won possession and she played Ciara O’Sullivan in to make it 2-3 to 0-2, with Cork dominant at this stage.

A great point from distance from Seoighe reduced the deficit, with Finn replying from another free at the other end for Cork.

Seoighe pointed again, another long distance effort, to make it 2-4 to 0-4, but right on the hooter Finn got her fourth free to see Cork in control at half-time as they led by seven points.

Ciara O’Sullivan increased Cork’s lead at the start of the second-half, but two Leonard frees reduced the deficit again.

But Cork were still well in control and points from Áine Terry O’Sullivan and Duggan meant they were still well clear with 37 minutes gone.

Leonard, with her first from play, and half-time substitute Trill kept Galway’s tally moving, but with Eimear Kiely also on target for Cork the gap wasn’t getting any smaller.

Olivia Divilly and Finn exchanged points, but with 13 minutes remaining Galway were dealt another blow when Sinead Burke was sin-binned for a tackle on Libby Coppinger.

While Trill pointed again for Galway there was to be no miraculous comeback, while late points from Finn, Sadhbh O’Leary and Marie O’Callaghan saw Cork run out comfortable winners, as they now face a final against Dublin on 20 December.

Scorers – Cork: O Finn 0-9 (8f), C O’Sullivan 1-2, M Duggan 1-1, A O’Sullivan 0-1, E Kiely 0-1, D O’Sullivan 0-1, S O’Leary 0-1, M O’Callaghan 0-1. Galway: T Leonard 0-6 (5f), M Seoighe 0-3, A Trill 0-2, O Divilly 0-1, A Morrissey 0-1.

Cork: M O’Brien; E Meaney, R Phelan, S Kelly; M Duggan, A Hutchings, E O’Shea; M O’Callaghan, H Looney; E Kiely, C O’Sullivan, O Finn; Á O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, S Noonan. Subs: L Coppinger for A O’Sullivan (42), D Kiely for E Kiely (50), S O’Leary for Noonan (55), O Farmer for D O’Sullivan (56), M Cahalane for Duggan (58).

Galway: L Murphy; S Gormally, S Lynch, S Burke; L Coen, C Cooney, N Ward; A Davoren, L Ward; O Divilly, M Glynn, L Noone; M Seoighe, T Leonard, L Hannon. Subs: S Molloy for Gormally (h-t), A Trill for Davoren (h-t), S Fahy for Coen (44), A Morrissey for Hannon (48), A McDonogh for Seoighe (51).

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).

Upcoming Cork U16 Trials

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Trials for the Cork 2021 U16 Team.

The Cork U16 management intend to hold trials as soon as restrictions allow.

All players born in 2005 or 2006 are welcome to attend. There are no restrictions on the amount of players that may attend from each club as the Cork U16 management would like to see as many players as possible.

Parents or Guardians of players interested in attending should text Cork U16 Manager Denis Mulvihill on 087-2932652 with the following details

1. Players Name

2. Club

3. Year of Birth

4. Preferred Position

5. Parent/Guardian Contact Number

Trial dates will be announced once clearance is given by the LGFA.

 

Coppinper Double secures first ladies football title for West Cork

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Picture By Jim Coughlan

By Rory Noonan

West Cork 4-9 Mourneabbey 2-13

THEY have close in recent years but finally West Cork are county champions after defeating Mourneabbey in the Senior A ladies football final at CIT.

This was their third final in-a-row and it was sheer delight at the final whistle as they took the cup, stopping Mourneabbey making it seven on the bounce.

This was a superb game with some quality football from both sides, with the likes of Libby Coppinger, Eimear and Daire Kiely and Melissa Duggan outstanding for the winners.

Coppinger hit 2-3 and led their attack all through and was a constant threat to the Mourneabbey defence all through.

The defending champions gave it everything and certainly can’t be faulted for their efforts with Maire O’Callaghan and Doireann O’Sullivan the pick of their side. But referee Justin Murphy won’t have too many friends amongst their supporters as they had reason to question a number of his decisions over the 60 minutes.

The game was less than 30 seconds old when Mourneabbey took the lead with Laura Fitzgerald found the back of the net and a minute later they went further in front when Brid O’Sullivan pointed.

Using the wind to its full advantage they increased their lead, when Ellie Jack pointed, to make it 1-2 to no score.

But West Cork hit back and a great run by Aine O’Sullivan found Coppinger and she blasted to the back of the net.

But Mourneabbey hit back straight away with Doireann O’Sullivan goaling after some good work by Fitzgerald and Brid O’Sullivan.

Aine O’Sullivan pointed from a free for West Cork, before Coppinger looked like getting their second goal. But a superb save from Meabh O’Sullivan denied her.

Rachel Murphy pointed for West Cork and with 17 minutes gone the sides were level again. A brilliant run by Eimear Kiely saw her find the back of the net, to make it 2-2 apiece.

Jack and Doireann O’Sullivan put Mourneabbey two up again, but one from Coppinger, followed by two frees from Aine O’Sullivan saw West Cork take the lead, with 26 minutes gone.

Doireann O'Sullivan, Mourneabbey, closes in on Eve Murphy, West Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Doireann O’Sullivan, Mourneabbey, closes in on Eve Murphy, West Cork. Pictures: Jim Coughlan.

Then the champions lost their influential midfielder, Maire O’Callaghan, after a clash with Rachel Murphy.

Credit to O’Callaghan she returned for the second half and at the break, another goal from Coppinger saw West Cork lead 3-5 to 2-7.

Early points from Fitzgerald and Doireann put Mourneabbey back in front, with Coppinger levelling it again.

Points from Daire Kiely and Coppinger made it 3-8 to 2-10, with 42 minutes gone before Ciara O’Sullivan equalised.

Doireann O’Sullivan put Mourneabbey back in front with Aine O’Sullivan on target from a free, to make it 3-9 to 2-12.

The telling score came in the 54th minute when Coppinger played Daire Kiely in and she found the back of the net for their fourth goal.

Mourneabbey battled to the end with Doireann pulling a point back from a free, but time ran out and West Cork took the title for the first time after a highly entertaining game.

Afterward there was some concern for Doireann O’Sullivan who felt unwell after the game and had to be taken to hospital.

Scorers for West Cork: L Coppinger 2-3, D Kiely 1-1, E Kiely 1-0, A O’Sullivan 0-4 f, R Murphy 0-1.

Mourneabbey: D O’Sullivan 1-5 (0-3 f), L Fitzgerald 1-2, C O’Sullivan 0-3, E Jack 0-2, B O’Sullivan 0-1.

WEST CORK: M O’Brien (Clon); S Courtney (Castlehaven), S Hayes (Rosscarbery), C O’Sullivan (Beara); E Spillane (Bantry), C O’Shea (Beara), M Duggan (Dohenys); E Murphy (Bantry), E Kiely (Valley Rovers); Aine Terry O’Sullivan (Beara), R Murphy (Bantry), L Harte (O’Donovan Rossa); F Keating (Courcey Rovers), L Coppinger (St Colum’s), D Kiely (Valley Rovers).

Subs: C Maguire (Rosscarbery) for C O’Sullivan (h-t), M O’Donovan (Clon) for E Murphy(51), M Barrett (Clon) for A O’Sullivan (58).

MOURNEABBEY: M O’Sullivan; A O’Sullivan, E Meaney, A Walsh; E Coakley, K Coakley, A Ryan; M O’Callaghan, R O’Sullivan; C O’Sullivan, E Jack, N O’Sullivan; B O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, L Fitzgerald.

Subs: A Cronin for M O’Callaghan (25), M O’Callaghan for A Cronin (h-t), A Cronin for E Coakley, S Conroy for A Walsh (both 43), C Harrington for R O’Sullivan (55).

Referee: Justin McCarthy, Castletownroche.

Thank you to Bus Éireann

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Bus Éireann Sponsor Cork U14’s Jersey for 2020

Following on from Clóna Cork Dairy sponsorship of our U16 team, we are delighted to announce Bus Éireann’s generous sponsorship of our Cork U14 team for 2020. The Cork girls will proudly wear the Bus Éireann sponsored Jersey’s during their upcoming Munster Final.