Cork gives Galway an historic kicking

Cork 2-13 Galway 0-6

It was their first national title at senior level, and the fact that it was achieved at the expense of All-Ireland champions Galway makes it extra special.

Apart from the opening 15 minutes when the sides were level three times, there was never any doubt about the outcome after Valerie Mulcahy scored Cork’s opening goal in the 22nd minute.

Operating at right corner forward, Mulcahy was magnificent, finishing with 2-2, and deservedly won the player of the match award.

Cork had many heroes. Angela Walsh was magnificent in the heart of their defence; Juliette Murphy and Norita Kelly dominated midfield, while up front Amanda Murphy and Deirdre O’Reilly gave the Galway defence a torrid time.

Galway were a disappointment and never played with the same fluency that won them the All-Ireland championship title last year. Even after Cork had a player sin-binned for 10 minutes, they failed to use their numerical advantage, and only Claire Molloy, Emer Flaherty, Patricia and Niamh Duggan came away from this game with their reputations intact.

Having failed to Mayo in last year’s league final, Cork were very determined there was going to be no repeat. Team coach Eamon Ryan said there were a few anxious moments in the game particularly in the first half when Cork failed to take their chances.

“It was a worrying time for us, but the girls never allowed it to upset them and once they got Galway’s measure, there was never any doubt about the outcome,” he said.

“Our first goal had a great settling effect and we played some fantastic football. This was the fourth time we’ve played Galway and the score now stands at two wins apiece. They won the earlier meeting in the league, so it was great to get a second chance to put that right.”

After the sides were level at 0-3 apiece, and Valerie Mulcahy had a goal disallowed, the Rockban player made amends with a splendid major which helped Cork to a 1-6 to 0-4 half time lead.

Cork took complete control on the change-over, with Deirdre O’Reilly playing the proverbial blinder at centre forward, and when Valerie Mulcahy superbly converted a penalty for her second goal in the 45th minute, there was only going to be one result.

Captain, Juliette Murphy said they were very disappointed at losing out last year, but after beating Mayo in this year’s league, there was a new found belief among the players that we could win the title.

Scorers for Cork: V. Mulcahy 2-2 (1-1 frees); D. O’Reilly, A. Murphy 0-3 each; C. Creedon 0-2; J. Murphy, B. Stack, A. O’Shea 0-1 each.

Galway: N. Duggan (frees), A. Clarke 0-2 each; L. Joyce, P. O’Flaherty 0-1 each.

CORK: E. Harte; N. Keohane, A. Walsh, R. Buckley; B. Corkery, C. Walsh, S. O’Reilly; J. Murphy, N. Kelly; A. Murphy, D. O’Reilly, G. O’Flynn; V. Mulcahy, C. Creedon, A. O’Connor.

Subs: L. Power for Keohane; B. Stack for O’Flynn; R. Curtin for O’Connor; N. Cleary for Creedon; A. O’Shea for Murphy.

GALWAY: U. Carroll; M. Glynn, R. Stephens, C. Molloy; AM McDonagh, M. O’Connell, E. Flaherty; A. Clarke, A. Daly; E. Concannon, P. Gleeson, R. McPhilbin; P. O’Flaherty, N. Duggan, L. Joyce.

Subs: C. Comican for O’Connell; C. Joyce for Concannon; H. Carroll for McPhilbin.

Referee: J. Murray (Dublin)

Armagh stunned 2004 All-Ireland senior quarter-finalists Donegal to win the Suzuki Ladies Division Two NFL title in Mullingar yesterday, (1-8 to 1-7).

The Orchard County were considered outsiders ahead of the game but grafted out a famous victory. In the Division Three final, Tipperary beat Dublin’s B side 1-10 to 0-7, also in Mullingar.