Super sub Buckley blasts Cork to victory
The all-conquering Leesiders have claimed five NFL titles in the last six seasons as their thoughts now turn firmly towards the assault on a sixth successive All-Ireland title.
On the weekend’s evidence, beaten NFL finalists Galway will have a major say in the championship and with just over 14 minutes left on the clock, they led by 1-6 to 1-5.
That was before Buckley, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, blasted home the decisive goal which turned a free-ridden encounter in Cork’s favour. Referee Keith Tighe blew for over 60 frees during the match and a stop-start, scrappy affair wasn’t easy on the eye at times. But Cork’s greater experience and ability to close out tight matches again came to the fore as Eamon Ryan’s charges secured more silverware.
At half-time, the Rebels held a 1-4 to 1-3 advantage and they could have went in behind at the restart had Deirdre O’Reilly not performed heroics to deny Sinead Burke with a magnificent block in stoppage time.
Midway through the first half, top scorer Valerie Mulcahy scored a superb goal for Cork after playing a neat one-two with Nollaig Cleary but Galway refused to buckle.
And with 26 minutes on the watch, the Connacht champions were right back in contention as Edel Concannon’s long-range strike drifted into the net over the head of former All-Star goalkeeper Elaine Harte. Harte atoned for a rare misjudgement with a good save to deny Mairead Coyne seven minutes into the second half before Galway All Star Una Carroll, who has struggled with injury, came off the bench to tie the scores at 1-5 apiece.
Dogged Galway then moved into a hard-fought lead but Cork hit back in style when Buckley grabbed the vital goal. Despite finishing on the losing side, Galway corner back Catriona Cormican won the player of the match award but that was of little consolation to the St Gabriel’s defender.
She said: “When we went a point up midway through the second half, I thought we had them. But that’s why they’ve won the last five All-Irelands; they never give up. Maybe our lack of experience showed at the end.”
Cork boss Eamon Ryan admitted: “We didn’t play well and Deirdre O’Reilly’s block before half-time was an important moment. I wasn’t too happy with our attacking play but Galway deserve credit and Catriona Cormican won player of the match. Rhona’s goal was crucial; she was injured recently but scored a great goal when she came on.
“I’m satisfied because it’s difficult to win these games.”
Scorers for Cork: V Mulcahy 1-6 (0-2f), Rhona Buckley 1-1, J Murphy 0-1f, G O’Flynn 0-1, M O’Connor 0-1. Scorers for Galway: N Duggan 0-4 (2f), E Concannon 1-0, A Daly 0-1, D Gorman 0-1, U Carroll 0-1, L Joyce 0-1, C Cormican 0-1.
CORK: E Harte; R Buckley (c), A Walsh, L Barrett; D O’Reilly, B Stack, G O’Flynn; J Murphy, N Kelly; N Cleary, C O’Sullivan, A.M. Walsh; M O’Connor, V Mulcahy, M Kelly.
Subs: O Farmer for A.M. Walsh, Rhona Buckley for C O’Sullivan, C Creedon for M Kelly.
GALWAY: J Connolly; S Noone, A Gilmore, C Cormican; R McPhilbin, E Flaherty (c), G Conneally; D Lawless, A Daly; L Joyce, E Concannon, S Burke; S Murphy, M Coyne, N Duggan.
Subs: P Gleeson for D Lawless, D Gorman for S Murphy, U Carroll for M Coyne.
Referee: K Tighe (Dublin).
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