Two more league titles up for grabs
With the Allianz NHL Cup safely residing on Leeside for the next 12 months, this weekend the ladies football and camogie teams bid to make it 3 out of 4 league titles when they play their respective league finals.
There are two important minor games as well while the under 20 footballers will be hoping to get their championship campaign back on track.
Lidl Ladies Football Division 2 League Final
Cork v Galway on Saturday in Croke Park at 3pm
One year after being relegated, both of these sides showed their quality by regaining their top flight status at the very 1st attempt and with a bit to spare.
Galway went unbeaten through the group, while Cork’s only loss came at the hands of Saturday’s opposition.
In a game that Galway enjoyed home advantage, they won a very tight contest 2-8 to 0-12.
Cork manager Joe Carroll is ‘thrilled” that they are back in Division 1. “That was our aim at the start of the league and now we have achieved that we are looking forward to playing the final in Croke Park.”
It’s a couple of years since Cork last played there. “It’s where every player wants to play and when you get there you know you are at the business end of the league or the championship.”
While the championship is the ultimate aim, they will be keen to reverse the league result. He “felt we were a bit unlucky that day, but Galway are a very good team as they showed throughout the group phase, it was only our 2nd competitive game as a management group with the players also.”
Kate Geraghty is the Galway captain - a quality player while Sarah Lynch, Leah O’Halloran, Roisin Leonard, Leanne Coen, Shauna Hynes and Aoife Ni Cheallaigh all made important contributions.
Some might say Cork are in transition on and off the field but getting to the league final is a notable achievement and with the return of Erika O’Shea and Aine Terry O’Sullivan for the last game, they do not lack experience.
Add in Hannah Looney, Mellisa Duggan and Emma Cleary as they bring big game attitude to all matches.
With Laura O’Mahoney, Katie Quirke - a prolific scorer throughout the league, Abigail Ring and Aimee Corcoran, the squad is developing nicely as the Munster and All-Ireland championship looms.
While at the outset of the league, the ambition was to get promoted now that you are in a final the desire is to win it, and with the improvement shown all year they are well capable of doing that.
Very Ireland Division 1A Camogie Final
Cork v Galway on Sunday in Semple Stadium Thurles at 2.15pm
“Okay we were short a few players and Galway’s need was a bit greater than ours but we are still disappointed at losing.” Ger Manley after they lost their last game of the group phase to Sunday’s opponents in the Páirc a couple of weeks ago.
The need he was referring to was that by then Cork had already qualified for the final while Galway needed to win and they did in some style.
Captain Meabh Cahalne, while disappointed with the loss was looking forward to the final: “No one likes losing but at the start of the league we wanted to make the final and that we have done, so maybe we were a bit complacent.”
As for Galway, Meabh said: “We have met a lot over the years and there has been very little between us and I know the final will be the very same, but it’s been awhile since we won the league and that is our motivation now to win it.”
Playing against the strong wind in the 1st half they were deserving winners.
Carrie Dolan tormented Cork that day with some quality points and punished every Cork indiscretion from placed balls.
Ailish O’Reilly, Aoife O’Donohue, Mairead Dillon, Olwen Rabbitte, the Healys Sarah and Shaunagh also played well and they also lined out minus the talented Niamh Mallon and her presence will strengthen their side.
Cork took the opportunity to rest a few players and a couple of players with little knocks were also left out.
Dual players Hannah Looney and Aoife Healy along with Libby Coppinger will be in Croke Park on Saturday, by no means ideal but that’s the price you pay for success.
It’s been a while, 2013 since Cork last won the league - a bit like the hurlers last week - they will want to end that unwanted record.
The composition of the starting 15 will be interesting although there is a doubt about the availability of Laura Hayes who has a slight injury and may not be risked and the St Catherine’s player would be a loss.
Amy Lee remains the number 1 while in front of her expect Pamela Mackey, Laura Tracey, Meabh Murphy and team captain Meabh Cahalane.
Ashling Thompson who sat out the last game will return as will Sorcha McCartan, Amy O’Connor made her 1st start of the year and will benefit from that outing, while Orlaith Cahalane and Saoirse McCarthy will also feature.
There is a healthy rivalry between these two sides in recent years, simple because they are the best two teams and this will not be the last time they will encounter one another before the season ends, I suspect.
Galway will have been boosted by beating Cork on their home patch the last day, but Cork with a full squad should have that bit extra to get over the line.
The match is live on C103.
One other camogie game on Saturday, it’s the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor A semi-final featuring Cork v Tipperary at Castle Road at 2pm.
Munster Minor Hurling Championship
Cork v Clare on Saturday in Tulla at 2pm
The win and the manner of it by this team in their opening game against Limerick was very impressive.
Clare recorded a good win over Tipperary so the winners of this game will go a long way towards securing their place in the Munster Final.
The reigning champions Tipperary have lost their opening 2 games, while Waterford have won their two so there’s a lot of hurling to be played yet. After Saturday, Cork will have their remaining two games in Páirc Uí Rinn.
The balance of this Cork side looks very good. Strong and resolute in defence, a workmanlike midfield with a very talented attack: 2-25 against Limerick, 2-23 from play with a couple of the half-backs contributing to the scoring.
Michael Tadgh Brosnan (0-2) and Colin Garde were among the scorers while goalkeeper TC Walsh was impressive, he made a vital save at a crucial moment in the 2nd half, while Darragh Heavin (0-1) also played well. Tom A Walsh and Jack Counihan worked hard in midfield. In attack Cormac Deane was excellent, while Craig O’Sullivan and Ryan Dineen proved a handful for Limerick.
Clare on home soil are always tough opponents and they will have been boosted by the win over Tipp, coming from behind to snatch victory.
John Barry’s free taking was top class but his 0-12 out of their total of 1-17 might suggest they are a bit over reliant on him.
Evan Cleary, Graham Ball and Liam Murphy all made important contributions and they did line out without the suspended Paul Rodgers and the injured Dara Kennedy so they will be stronger for this game with home advantage.
Predicting minor games can be difficult but I was very impressed by this Cork team and if they play as well again, they will be very hard to beat.
Dalata Group Hotels Munster Under 20 Football Championship
Cork v Tipperary on Tuesday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm
“Not the result we wanted and certainly not the performance we were hoping for; very disappointed really.” Cork manager Ray O’Mahony after a trimming by Kerry last Monday night.
The winning margin was 0-10 and it could have been much more - several timess Kerry opened up the Cork defence and could have had goals but instead opted for points.
It was a very poor Cork display and the manager made the point that a number of Kerry scores came from basic errors, like dropped balls, turnovers and poor passing.
If your basics are not spot on, you will be punished, especially by a team as good as Kerry.
The structure of the Championship means the season is not yet over. “We have one more chance and for now it’s recovery and then focus on Tipperary next Tuesday.”
This game is now effectively a semi-final as Tipperary’s win over Clare makes this a winner takes all clash for the right to meet Kerry in the final.
The defeat in Tralee was just a continuation of very poor results against the Kingdom at this and minor level in recent years, coupled with a poor run in the Corn Uí Mhuirí would suggest we are well behind our neighbours right now and if this is not addressed, our results at senior level will not improve in the near future.
A discussion for another day perhaps; right now unless Cork show marked improvement for next Tuesday night or their season will be at an end.
Hurlers impress
Despite the winning margin of 10 points, Cork manager Pat Ryan was not at all pleased with the overall display.
“That is probably the worst half of hurling I have witnessed since we as a group got involved and it won’t do when we go to Ennis in two weeks time.”
That is a measure of the standards which this group have set themselves and I would imagine they will be addressed in the lead up to the Clare match.
There was much to admire about Cork’s display with everyone making an important contribution whether it was scoring or defending and the overall work rate was top class.
Sure the tempo dropped in the 2nd half with the game as good as won by half-time, in many ways it could work in our favour ahead of the championship. Now though let’s savour the win, well done to all and roll on the championship!
RIP
Another sad week on Leeside and we send our sympathy to the family of Brendan O’Driscoll who passed away after a long illness, Brendan coached many teams over the years, particularly in his club Bishopstown.
His late father Paddy was a former chairman of the Cork County Board and Brendan himself was coaching officer for 3 years, I wonder are they the only father and son to serve as board officers?
Dan Murray, a winner of national football and Munster championship medals also passed away as did Fr Coleman O’Donovan who was on the 1952 All-Ireland winning hurling team of 1952.
Na Piarsaigh lost a great worker and supporter in Ann Cooke who rendered that club outstanding service over many years, well known for delivering oranges to the teams at half-time in matches. She will be missed.
May they all rest in peace.