CASTLEHAVEN, O’Donovan Rossa, Tadhg MacCárthaigh, St Colum’s and Rosscarbery booked Cork LGFA U21 county final berths on a fantastic weekend for ladies football in the region.
Castlehaven travelled to Glanmire for an U21A county semi-final at Sallybrook. The West Cork side defeated Erin’s Own in the previous round and backed up that superb performance with another terrific display.
A close opening half ended with Castlehaven three points ahead, 0-6 to 0-3. An equally tight second period saw the West Cork club maintain that three-point advantage and secure an 0-11 to 0-8 triumph.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ellie McCarthy topped the Haven’s scoring charts with 0-6. Hannah Sheehy (0-3) and Amy McCarthy (0-2) completed the winners’ total. Ellie McCarthy, Ellen Connolly and Maeve O’Sullivan were the pick of a delighted Castlehaven’s best performers.
Mourneabbey and Éire Óg’s semi-final ended in a convincing 3-8 to 1-1 win for the North Cork club. As a result, Mourneabbey will face Castlehaven in what should be a cracking U21A county decider.
The O’Donovan Rossa team that defeated Carrigaline to reach this year’s U21B county final.
***
There was plenty of interest in last weekend’s Cork U21B county championship semi-finals with two West Cork clubs involved.
O’Donovan Rossa travelled to Carrigaline while Ilen Rovers were also on the road, visiting Páirc Iosagáin for a meeting with Clonakilty’s quarter-final conquerors, Naomh Abán.
For the Skibbereen club, a gale wind proved a huge factor in holding Carrigaline scoreless during the first half and leading 1-6 to 0-0 at the short whistle.
Withstanding a ferocious Carrigaline second-half comeback, O’Donovan Rossa held on to win by the narrowest of margins, 1-8 to 1-7. Éabha O’Donovan (1-4), Orla McCarthy (0-2), Aoife O’Driscoll and Hannah O’Driscoll (0-1 each) scores sent Rossa’s into the U21B county final.
The West Cork club will face Naomh Abán in that showdown after the Ballyvourney club outlasted Ilen Rovers in a superb semi-final. Rovers trailed 2-2 to 1-7 at the end of the opening 30 minutes and, despite a heroic effort, were beaten by two points, 1-13 to 3-5. Maebh Collins (2-1), Kate Carey (1-2), and Carla O’Regan (0-2) were on a brave Ilen’s scoresheet.
***
Tadhg MacCárthaigh’s U21D quarter-final win over Ballinora set up last weekend’s clash at home to Bishopstown in the county championship’s penultimate round. The Caheragh club produced another quality effort to see off their city opponents 4-13 to 2-7 and book a place in this year’s U21D county decider. Ella O’Sullivan and Katie Kingston were on top form and each scored 2-2. Kathlyn McCarthy, Emma Hegarty (0-3 each), Eve O’Donovan (0-2) and Ruby O’Donovan (0-1) were also on target for an in-form Tadhg MacCárthaigh.
Glanworth and Fermoy faced off in the second U21D semi-final with Glanworth registering a 2-7 to 0-9 victory.
West Cork LGFA’s interest in the U21C county championship was ended at the quarter-finals stage after Bandon lost at home to Inch Rovers and Youghal defeated Valley Rovers.
***
Beara and St Colum’s went head-to-head in the Cork LGFA U21E county championship semi-finals on Sunday. The Kealkill club proved too strong for Bantry Blues in the previous round, registering an impressive 4-12 to 1-2 triumph. Beara qualified for the last four by virtue of a walkover from Macroom.
Leading 2-8 to 1-3 at the end of the opening half, St Colum’s upped the tempo in the second period and ran out 4-10 to 2-5 winners. Clodagh Downey (2-3), Niamh O’Sullivan (1-1), Seren Lehane (1-0), Ella Downey (0-4) and Maggie O’Donoghue (0-2) were on target for the West Cork side.
St Colum’s will face St Michael’s in this year’s U21E county final after the latter defeated Donoughmore 0-11 to 0-9.
***
Rosscarbery were drawn away to Araglen Desmonds Buí in their U21F county semi-final. Previously, Ross overpowered Dromtarriffe in the quarter-finals thanks, in part, to Kacie O’Sullivan, Kellianne French, Lauren O’Donovan, Ciara Hourihane, Orla Tobin and Gemma O’Sullivan scores.
Araglen put nine goals past Abhainn Dalla in their last-eight victory but it was Rosscarbery’s turn to go goal crazy. The West Cork club found the net eight times to seal a one-sided victory and qualify for a county final. Kacie O’Sullivan top scored with 3-3 in a game Lucy O’Donovan (2-0), Eabha O’Leary (1-1), Etaoin Hayes (0-5), Katie Murphy, Grace Hourihane, Ciara Hourihane and Tara Hourihane also contributed.
Watergrasshill got the better of Grenagh 3-6 to 1-7 in the other semi-final and should provide formidable opposition for Rosscarbery in the U21F decider.
