Powerful Cork stay on track for five in-a-row
Two of the game’s big-hitters will collide in a repeat of the 2007 decider, as Cork continue on their seemingly unstoppable march towards a fifth successive crown.
Cork and last year’s beaten semi-finalists Mayo will lock horns at McDonagh Park in Nenagh on Saturday (6pm), with the other semi between Dublin and Monaghan fixed for September 5 at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Cork were superb in their 4-23 to 0-6 demolition of Kildare in Saturday’s quarter-final at Nowlan Park.
Captain Mary O’Connor scored an early goal to set the winners on their way and the Rebelettes went were 1-12 to 0-4 clear at half-time. The champions were magnificent on the restart outscoring Kildare by 3-11 to 0-2 in the second half, as Deirdre O’Reilly, Rhona Buckley and substitute Laura McMahon added further goals. Noelle Earley, who impressed for the Lilywhites, kicked their first score of the second-half 10 minutes from time.
Beaten Leinster finalists Kildare were denied a late goal when Cork goalkeeper Elaine Harte kept out Aisling Jennings in the closing stages. Overall, Cork showed no ill-effects of a seven-week layoff since the Munster final victory against Kerry and it will take a very good team to stop them annexing yet another title. In the first game played at the Kilkenny venue, Dublin ran out 1-13 to 2-6 winners against Kerry. Leinster champions Dublin fell at the quarter-final hurdle last year, against Tyrone, but made no mistake on this occasion.
Dublin had not played for five weeks since winning their provincial final and that layoff seemed to be a factor as Kerry started the game well.
The Kingdom surged two points clear early on and Dublin had outstanding goalkeeper Cliodhna O’Connor to thank for two superb saves denying Mags O’Donoghue and Debra Murphy. But Kerry fell away after that and after notching three points in the opening 10 minutes, they failed to score for the remainder of the half.
Kim Flood’s 17th-minute goal sent Dublin 1-4 to 0-3 clear and they went on to lead by 1-9 to 0-3 at half-time.
Dublin were never unduly troubled in the second half although Kerry sub Joanne Brosnan made a real impact and bagged 1-1 after being introduced. Finishing strongly, Kerry added a second goal as Mags O’Donoghue converted a penalty three minutes from time but Dublin held out to reach the semis for the first time since 2005.
Meanwhile, Cork retained the Aisling McGing memorial championship with a 3-11 to 1-6 victory against Dublin at Semple Stadium on Saturday. Katie Sheehan was the star of the show for Cork, who captured the title for the third successive year. Sheehan scored 1-8 while Jenny Luddy and Gráinne Lucey scored the other goals as Cork romped to a comfortable win.
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