Mayo hold off brave Galway rally

Mayo 3-16 Galway1-12

First-half goals by Michelle McGing and Christina Heffernan put Mayo in control, despite playing into a stiff breeze. In the second half, however, Galway staged a strong comeback, and, with five minutes of normal time remaining, drew level with a Patricia Gleeson goal.

But it was then that Mayo’s experience told, and with Cora Staunton in superb form from frees and general play, they scored a whopping 1-7 before the end of the game.

A thrilling Connacht final between the two same teams is in store, should Galway beat Roscommon next weekend to qualify.

Meanwhile Monaghan were made to work hard for their Ulster final spot by challengers, Down, at Clones yesterday before eventually pulling clear 4-12 to 4-7.

Kerry 2-14 Cork 3-10

A magnificent point scoring display by full-forward Geraldine O’Shea helped Kerry to a thrilling victory over Cork in the Munster Ladies SFC semi-final at Carrigaline on Saturday night.

Miss O’Shea was undoubtedly Kerry’s best player, but a number of others played major roles in this exciting success which sent Kerry through to the provincial final against Waterford.

Grainne Ni Flartharta, Edel O’Connell, Noreen Fealy and Kacey O’Driscoll all made handsome contributions.

Cork will be hugely disappointed at failing by the narrowest of margins, but can take great heart from their efforts.

In front through Marie O’Neill’s fifth-minute point, they subsequently fell behind for the rest of the game until Juliet Murphy tied the game with a goal with 10 minutes to go. But it was fitting that O’Shea should have the final say with the match- winning point. Cork who lost no face in this defeat, had outstanding players in Rena Buckley, Juliet Murphy, Geraldine O’Flynn, Regina Curtin and Breege Corkery.

Scorers for Kerry: G. O’Shea 0-10 (0-2 frees, 0-1 45); N. Fealy 2-1; K. O’Driscoll 0-2; K. Kennedy 0-1.

Cork; J. Murphy 1-5 (0-5 frees); B. Corkery 1-1; S. Power 1-0; G. O’Flynn 0-2; M. O’Neill, T. Galvin 0-1 each.

KERRY: A. O’Donoghue; R. Ni Cinneide, G. Ni Flartharta, J. Murnane; C. O’Sullivan, C. Kelly, D. Shanahan; Evelyn O’Connell, Edel O’Connell; K. Kennelly, N. Fealy, P. Dennehy; D. Fenton, G. O’Shea, K. O’Driscoll.

Subs: S. O’Connor for Ni Cinneide; C. Sexton for Evelyn O’Connell; D. Corridon for Kennelly; M. Finnegan for O’Sullivan.

CORK: E. Harte; B. Stack, C. O’Sullivan, E. O’Riordan; L. Power, R. Buckley, C. Foley; J. Murphy, N. Kelly; F. O’Flynn, R. Curtin, M. O’Neill; S. Power, B. Corkery, J. Lucey.

Subs. T. Galvin for O’Sullivan; S. Burns for Power; E. O’Sullivan fo O’Riordan; L. Murphy for O’Neill.

Referee: L. O’Brien (Limerick).