Donegal gain just reward
Cork’s contribution to the final was reflected in the fact that their two points came from two first half frees - the first after just three minutes and the other just two minutes before half time - as Donegal, ruthlessly efficient in all sectors, piled on the pressure right through to the final whistle.
Heavy showers and a swirling wind that did nobody any favours made conditions difficult but Donegal were never troubled. After absorbing five minutes of pressure from Cork Nicola Lacey and Nora Stapleton gave them a decisive advantage at midfield and they were three points up midway through the first half when Frances Hoey sent a pinpoint pass through to centre-forward, Debbie Lee Fox and she ran through for a great goal.
Now Donegal were putting some delightful passes together and they were rewarded with a 1-7 to 0-2 lead at half time.
On the resumption they stretched this lead to 11 points and they were already coasting when full-forward, Hoey, shimmied through for a spectacular goal 23 minutes into the second half. To add to Cork’s misery she pointed immediately afterwards.
There was more to come, however, as substitute Yvonne McGonagle added another goal and two points to complete the scoring.
Scorers for Donegal: F. Hoey 1-3, Y. McGonagle 1-2, D. Lee Fox 1-1, M. O’Donnell 0-4 (frees), M. McKenna 0-2, C. McHugh 0-1.
Scorer for Cork: N. Hickey 0-2 (frees).
DONEGAL: D. Mcelhinney; M. Gallagher, G. Meade, A. Hegarty; S. Kearney, D. Toner, L. O’Sullivan: N. Lacey, N. Stapleton; M. McKenna, D. Lee Fox, C.McHugh; M. O’Donnell, F. Hoy, A. Doherty. Subs: S. Campbell for M. McKenna; M. Sweeney for A. Doherty; M. Devenney for M. Gallagher, Y. McGonagle for F. Hoey, C. McGroarty for S. Kearney.
CORK: M. O’Sullivan; E. Walsh, M. O’Connor, C. Moran; M. Kennedy, H. Kelleher, R. B uckley; N. Kelly, N. Cleary; A. Barrett, L. Murphy, M. White; M. Kelly, L. Dunlea, N. Hickey. Subs: E. Daly for N. Cleary, D. Foley for M. Kelly, E. Twohig for N. Hickey, S. White for C. Moran, G. Foley for L. Dunlea.
Referee: S. Finucane (Dublin).
