Noonan goal proves crucial as Cork claim Lidl NFL Division 1 honours
LIDL NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 FINAL
Cork 1-12
Galway 2-7
By DARAGH SMALL in Parnell Park
Saoirse Noonan was the super-sub once again for Cork as they were crowned Lidl NFL Division 1 champions for the 12th time beating Galway at Parnell Park.
Ephie Fitzgerald had already inspired his players to two victories over champions Dublin in the league, and this was a huge win for last season’s beaten TG4 All-Ireland finalists.
Noonan finished her goal brilliantly when she was presented with her chance in the 48th minute and that killed off the Galway challenge.
Captain Martina O’Brien had saved a Roisin Leonard penalty and although Charlotte Cooney and Louise Ward did find a way past the Cork goalkeeper, Galway were second best in this divisional final, their sixth reversal in the decider.
There was 6-30 scored in the earlier Division 2 final but this was a much tighter affair while both sides flooded their defences and then attacked methodically looking to exploit any weakness.
Galway dominated the opening quarter but Cork worked their way into the game and took a narrow 0-7 to 0-5 lead into the half-time break.
Tracey Leonard scored her first point in the fourth minute, but she missed her two other attempts from frees, with her cousin Roisin Leonard unerring.
Orla Finn tied things up for the first time before Roisin Leonard tapped over her opening free, and Ciara O’Sullivan hit back for Cork.
The Munster outfit took the lead for the first time in the 16th minute when Libby Coppinger manipulated an opening and scored for a 0-3 to 0-2 advantage.
Finn scored her second to make it a double-scores lead in the 20th minute and that came just after Mairéad Seoighe was awarded a yellow card, when the Galway attacker collided with Hannah Looney off the ball.
Galway were down to 14 players but they scored the next two points through Megan Glynn and a wonderful Roisin Leonard point when she dropped the shoulder and sent over a sweetly struck effort off her right boot. But those scores were soon cancelled out by Finn and Eimear Scally.
Cork had Aishling Hutchings yellow carded in the 29th minute when she fouled Roisin Leonard. And it was Roisin Leonard who halved the deficit as well but Cork scored last in the half, Ciara O’Sullivan’s second secured a two-point interval lead.
Leanne Coen was a half-time substitute for Galway and she was hauled down for a penalty six minutes after the restart. Roisin Leonard stepped up but her shot was the perfect height for O’Brien to batt away.
Hutchings returned just after Niamh Cotter scored a brilliant Cork point and Scally scored another stunning point after she combined with Hannah Noonan. Cork were 0-9 to 0-5 in front and Finn’s fourth meant for another double-scores lead in the 42nd minute.
Six minutes later Ciara O’Sullivan played in Noonan and she was calm enough to pass the ball past Lisa Murphy for the crucial Cork goal – a stunning finish with a side-foot volley from the substitute.
But Galway hit back when Charlotte Cooney blasted to the net in the 52nd minute, while Niamh Cotter and Ciara O’Sullivan both saw yellow for Cork.
Galway scored late with points from Tracey Leonard and Lucy Hannon, and after Sinéad Burke was sent to the sin-bin Louise Ward scored a magnificent goal. But there wasn’t enough time for the comeback and Cork held on for a deserved win.
Scorers – Cork: O Finn 0-5 (0-3f), S Noonan 1-0, E Scally 0-3, C O’Sullivan 0-2, L Coppinger 0-1, N Cotter 0-1.
Galway: C Cooney 1-0, L Ward 1-0, R Leonard 0-3 (0-2f), T Leonard 0-2 (0-2f), M Glynn 0-1, L Hannon 0-1.
Cork: M O’Brien; C O’Shea, H Looney, M Duggan; M O’Callaghan, E Kiely, S Kelly; N Cotter, A Hutchings; C O’Sullivan, O Farmer, D Kiely; E Scally, L Coppinger, O Finn.
Subs: E Meaney for D Kiely (39), for S Noonan for O’Callaghan (39), R Ní Bhuachalla for Coppinger (47), E Spillane for E Kiely (50),
Galway: L Murphy; S Molloy, F Cooney, S Lynch; O Murphy, S Burke, C Cooney; L Ward, B Hannon; O Divilly, T Leonard, M Glynn; M Seoighe, S Conneally, R Leonard.
Subs: L Coen for Seoighe (half-time), Á McDonagh for Conneally (44), L Hannon for Glynn (50), M Coyne for B Hannon (58).
Referee: M Farrelly (Cavan).
Article courtesy of ladiesgaelic.ie
National League Final for Cork Seniors
Best of luck to the Cork Senior team as they play Galway in the National League Division 1 Final on Sunday, 5th May, in Parnell Park at 4:00pm.
Best of luck to all involved.
Munster Final for Cork Minor Ladies
Best of luck to the Minor team as they play Kerry in the Munster Minor A Championship final on Monday, 6th May, in Dr. Crokes GAA Grounds, Killarney at 2:00pm.
Best of luck to all involved.
Munster Final For Cork U16s.
Best of luck to the Cork U16 team as they play Kerry in the Munster LGFA U16A Championship final on tomorrow, Saturday, 4th May in Castletownroche at 3:00pm.
Best of luck to all involved.
U21 Championship Concludes
This weekend saw the U21 Cork County Championship concluding across all four grades. Glanmire has been crowned U21A Champions, while Douglas won U21B division with Inch and Rockban winning the U21C and U21D respectively. Well done to all involved in the winning teams and commiserations to those involved in the teams that got pipped at the post. Final Scores can be seen below:
U21A Championship Final: Glanmire 3-12 Vs Valley Rovers 1-05
U21B Championship Final: Douglas 6-12 Vs Bride Rovers 2-15
U21C Championship Final: Inch Rovers 7-10 Vs Kilshannig 1-05
U21D Championship Final: Rockban 7-10 Vs Ballinora 0-09
Cork edge out Dublin after extra time thriller
Cork 1-18 / Dublin 2-14 After extra-time By DARAGH SMALL at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
Orla Finn starred with 13 points in the sun as Cork knocked reigning Lidl National Football League Division 1 champions Dublin off their perch, and booked their place in the final with victory at Nowlan Park.
In an absorbing game that went from end-to-end and lasted for over 86 minutes, Cork had just enough to secure their second win in as many games over their arch rivals.
Cork manager Ephie Fitzgerald held Doireann O’Sullivan, Eimear Scally and Saoirse Noonan in reserve, while Dublin had to do without the injured Sinead Goldrick.
But it was Finn who shone in the opening half and she scored six frees to move her side into contention before Melissa Duggan blasted a goal.
Finn pointed from a free first and then the reigning TG4 All-Ireland and league champions got up and running, and their first score was goal when Niamh McEvoy finished Noelle Healy’s pass low to the net in the fourth minute.
Finn hit back with a couple of frees either side of Sinéad Aherne’s first point from a free, and two more Finn frees had Cork back in front by the 22nd minute.
Aherne doubled her tally and then in the 26th minute she scored the second Dublin goal. McEvoy was through when she was brought down by Eimear Kiely. Aherne kept her cool and converted the penalty into the bottom right corner of Martina O’Brien’s goal.
Finn reduced the arrears again, and in the 31st minute Duggan struck for a crucial score. Ciara O’Sullivan delivered the killer hand pass and the St Colum’s ace hit the net. Aherne scored just before half-time and the sides were level 2-3 to 1-6 at the break.
Healy scored first on the resumption and Cork took control with four points in a row. Niamh Cotter pointed the last of those four scores and Cork led by 1-10 to 2-4, only for Dublin to charge back with points from Lauren Magee, McEvoy and Siobhán Killeen.
The teams were level and points from Orlagh Farmer and Ciara O’Sullivan looked to have secured the win. However, McEvoy and a wonderful Nicole Owens point brought the game to extra-time.
Owens was awarded a yellow card before the end while Aine O’Sullivan picked up a straight red card for dissent immediately after she was shown a yellow card for a similar offence.
Dublin held a narrow 2-13 to 1-15 lead at half-time in extra-time. Aherne scored just before the break, but a couple of Finn frees had Cork back in charge in the second half.
Duggan put Cork 1-18 to 2-13 in front with a driving score and Dublin couldn’t peg them back on this occasion.
Scorers – Cork: O Finn 0-13 (12f), M Duggan 1-1, N Cotter 0-1, C O’Sullivan 0-1, O Farmer 0-1, E Scally 0-1.
Dublin: S Aherne 1-4 (1-0 pen, 2f), N McEvoy 1-4 (3f), N Healy 0-1, L Magee 0-1, S Killeen 0-1, N Owens 0-1, N Hetherton 0-1, K Sullivan 0-1.
Cork: M O’Brien; M Duggan, H Looney, C O’Shea; S Kelly, A Hutchings, E Kiely; N Cotter, M O’Callaghan; C O’Sullivan, O Farmer, L O’Mahony; L Coppinger, A O’Sullivan, O Finn.
Subs: E Scally for O’Mahony (21), S Noonan for Finn (50), D Kiely for Kelly (53), E Meaney for O’Shea (53), S O’Leary for E Kiely (61), O Finn for A O’Sullivan (60), L O’Mahony for O’Leary (70), S Kelly for Cotter (74), C O’Shea for Duggan (81).
Dublin: C Trant; E Rutledge, N Collins, R Ruddy; A Kane, S Finnegan, O Carey; J Dunne, M Byrne; C Rowe, S Aherne, L Davey; N Owens, N McEvoy, N Healy.
Subs: L Magee for Rutledge (35), S Killeen for Davey (50), N Hetherton for Dunne (51), S Woods for Rowe (60), K Sullivan for Owens (f-t), N Owens for Healy (70), J Dunne for Magee (78), H O’Neill for Owens (80).
Referee: N McCormack (Laois).
Cork hand second defeat to Dublin
Cork hand second defeat to Dublin – and they go head to head again in semi-final
LIDL NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Cork 2-13 – Dublin 2-8
Niamh Cotter and Marie O’Callaghan hit the net as Cork gained some revenge for last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Dublin in this Lidl National Football League Division 1 clash at Mallow.
Carla Rowe and Siobhan Killeen bagged the goals for Mick Bohan’s side, but they were second best on the day and fell to their second loss of the competition.
Victory means Cork finished the group stages in second place overall, and the sides will meet again in two weeks’ time in the semi-finals.
Dublin had beaten Cork in their last two meetings and the home side were determined not to make it three in-a-row of losses and Ephie Fitzgerald’s side were worthy winners here.
Dublin got off to the perfect start when they got a goal in the first minute. A brilliant ball from Noelle Healy – now playing with Cork side Mourneabbey – put Rowe in and she found the back of the net.
Cork responded quickly with a point from Orlagh Farmer and with five minutes gone were unlucky not to have a goal of their own. A shot from Rhona Ni Bhuachalla went just outside the post, with Dublin keeper Rachel Fleming well beaten.
Niamh McEvoy increased Dublin’s lead before Cork were back on level terms, with 11 minutes gone. Ciara O’Sullivan burst through the Dublin defence and she played in O’Callaghan who coolly slotted home, to make it 1-1 apiece.
Two minutes later the Rebels took the lead when Ciara O’Sullivan pointed, and with 15 minutes played they were unlucky not to get another goal. Ciara O’Sullivan was the provider again, but Sadhbh O’Leary’s effort came back off the crossbar and the danger was cleared.
Healy equalised for the visitors, before a free from McEvoy had them back in front. Rhona Ni Bhuachalla responded at the other end from a free, to see the sides level with three minutes to go until half-time.
Cork had another goal chance just before the break when Farmer was played in, but she shot straight at Fleming for a relatively easy save, and Ni Bhuachalla pointed on the stroke of half-time to see Cork 1-4 to 1-3 in front after an entertaining opening half.
Two points from Ni Bhuachalla extended Cork’s lead, before Rowe replied for Dublin. Ciara O’Sullivan and Cotter were on target for Cork and with 44 minutes gone they led by 1-8 to 1-5.
A brilliant move, involving Ni Bhuachalla and Ciara O’Sullivan set up Cotter for Cork’s second goal, but credit to Dublin they hit back immediately with two points from frees by McEvoy
With 45 minutes gone Cork were reduced to 14 players when Eimear Meaney was sin-binned and Dublin made it count, with Siobhan Killeen goaling, to put a point between them, 2-8 to 2-7.
But Cork hit the next four points, through Ni Bhuachalla (2), Coppinger and Cotter to seal their win.
McEvoy and Scally, for Cork, scored late points but by then the home side’s win was well secured and set them up nicely for their league semi-final meeting in two weeks’ time.
Scorers – Cork: R Ni Bhuachalla 0-6 (4f), N Cotter 1-2, M O’Callaghan 1-0, C O’Sullivan 0-2, O Farmer 0-1, L Coppinger 0-1, E Scally 0-1.
Dublin: N McEvoy 0-5 (4f), C Rowe 1-2, S Killeen 1-0, N Healy 0-1.
CORK: L Crowley; C O’Shea, H Looney, E Meaney; D Kiely, A Hutchings, E Kiely; M O’Callaghan, N Cotter; O Farmer, C O’Sullivan, L O’Mahony; L Coppinger, S O’Leary, R Ní Bhuachalla.
Subs: C Moore for L Crowley (h-t), S Kelly for E Kiely (40), M Duggan for D Kiely (40), S Noonan for O’Leary (50), E Scally for O’Mahony (50), L O’Mahony for Ni Bhuachalla (58).
DUBLIN: R Fleming; É Rutledge, O Carey, E McDonagh; S McGoldrick, S Finnegan, A Kane; N Hetherton, S McGrath; C Rowe, S Woods, K Sullivan; S Killeen, N Healy, N McEvoy.
Subs: H O’Neill for Sullivan (6), R Ruddy for E McDonagh (12), C Trant for Fleming (h-t), O Nolan for Woods (h-t), L Magee for S Finnnegan (h-t), M Byrne for Carey (46), L Collins for McGrath (55).
Referee: S Mulvihill, Kerry.
All Ireland U16A Final Cork V Galway
The County Board of Cork Ladies Football wish the very best of luck to the Cork U16 team and management when they play Galway in the U16A All Ireland final next Wednesday, 26th July, 2017 in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh at 7:00pm.
Please come out and support these young players.
