Connolly goals drive on Cork

A hat-trick by Nemo Rangers star Megan Connolly enabled Cork to lift the U16 Munster title against a fiesty Kerry last night in CIT.

Billy Mangan’s Kerry had started the brighter, but superb goalkeeping by Cork’s Olivia Cahill and defending by full-back Marie Ambrose scuppered the Kingdom’s advances.

The sides were only level once, but when Kerry edged in front thanks to points by skipper Jane Lynch and substitute Eilish Kavanagh in the 16th minute, Cork hit back courtesy of a Connolly goal — 1-2 to 0-4. Julie Dennehy also netted to send Cork in 2-4 to 0-7 ahead at the break.