Katie Quirke stars as Cork get first win of LGFA league campaign

The Bride Rovers forward contributed her team’s entire winning total of 1-6 and was a constant threat throughout a game best by horrendous weather.

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024 - 16:24

Ger McCarthy, Bishopstown

Lidl LGFA National Football League Division 1

Cork 1-6 Galway 0-5

Not even Storm Isha or a rearranged venue could prevent Katie Quirke from helping Cork get off the mark in Division 1 of the Lidl LGFA National Football League on Sunday afternoon.

The Bride Rovers forward contributed her team’s entire winning total of 1-6 and was a constant threat throughout a game best by horrendous weather.

Moved from its original Mallow venue to Bishopstown’s 4G pitch, the Munster side shook off atrocious weather conditions to register their first National League victory of the season.

Whether this or any other LGFA game should have gone ahead on Sunday is a discussion for another day. The stormy elements dictated that this would be a low-scoring encounter where retaining possession was paramount.

The Rebels began without of a host of first-team absentees including Doireann, Bríd and Ciara O’Sullivan plus Laura Fitzgerald. Roisín Phelan, Eimear Meaney and goalkeeper Meabh O’Sullivan will also miss this year’s league leaving Cork with an unfamiliar looking lineup.

Daniel Moynihan’s first game in charge of the Galway seniors began positively with Aoife O’Rourke converting an early free. That’s as good as it got for the visitors however, as backed by a gale wind, Cork dominated the opening half.

Katie Quirke underlined her talent with three consecutive scores (two frees) to edge her team in front.

Cork’s defence settled and repeatedly turned over their opposing attack. At the opposite end, Galway’s back six struggled with the elements as Cork continually pressed and the excellent Quirke added three more points (one free) before the short whistle.

0-6 to 0-1 ahead at the interval, Cork played into an increasingly strong wind. The game’s turning point arrived after 38 minutes. A goalmouth scramble saw Galway fail to clear and Katie Quirke grabbed the ball and fired low into the net.

That would be Cork’s last score as a superb defensive effort, with Melissa Duggan and Máire O’Callaghan to the fore, kept Galway at bay.

Creditably, the visitors chipped away at a Cork’s lead as Aibhe Davoren (free), Aoife Molloy and two Roisin Leonard efforts made it 1-6 to 0-5.

Cork were not to be denied and defended stoutly to confirm a well deserved victory.

So, with three points safely banked, Shane Ronayne and his new-look senior panel can look forward to next Sunday’s visit of Armagh with cautious optimism.

On the same weekend, Galway face an equally tough task at home to Mayo.

Scorers for Cork: K Quirke 1-6 (0-3 frees).

Scorers for Galway: R Leonard 0-2 (0-1 frees), A O’Rourke (0-1 free), A Davoren (0-1 free) and A Molloy 0-1 each.

CORK: S Murphy; M Duggan, L Coppinger, D Kiniry; A McDonagh, M O’Callaghan (capt.), D Kiely; A Healy, S Cronin; E Jack, K Quirke, S O’Leary; L McDonagh, H Looney, E Cleary.

Subs: S Kelly for S Cronin (44), E Hurley for S O’Leary (53), K Redmond for L McDonagh (53), K O’Driscoll for D Kiely (53), R Corkery for E Cleary (58), K Smith for E Jack (60).

GALWAY: D Gower; M Jordan, S Lynch, E Gavin; K Geraghty, C Trill, A Ní Cheallaigh; M Glynn, L Coen; M Walsh, A Davoren (capt.), S Hynes; C McCarthy, A O’Rourke, A Molloy.

Subs: C Cleary for M Glynn (36), E Reaney for C McCarthy (36), R Leonard for S Hynes (44), L Booth for M Walsh (49), L Finnegan for A Ní Cheallaigh (60), A Hynes for L Coen (60).

Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford).